New County Auction Book Available

berriencountyadministration-59
berriencountyadministration-59

The new Berrien County property auction book is now available. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the next auction of foreclosed parcels will be held at the DANK on July 30. Up for grabs will be 36 abandoned homes.

“Our goal every year is hopefully to never have any properties in the auction, but for some reason people just choose not to pay the taxes,” Whitkowski said. “I’m really amazed when people just walk away from homes.”

Witkowski says about 250 parcels in total will be available at the auction. That’s more than usual, but it’s in part because of 43 condos on Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor that were foreclosed, and also because one property owner in particular abandoned about 20 lots in Benton Harbor.

“The biggest thing is more than 600 people avoided foreclosure by getting into payment plans. That part is a good and positive thing.”

Witkowski says there are a large number of empty properties available, many in Benton Harbor, Benton Township, and Niles. He says interesting this year is that there are also three homes up for grabs in Three Oaks. You can find the new auction book right here. It also lays out all of the rules for taking part in the auction.