Sheriff’s web application puts important real estate info at public’s fingertips

April 16, 2015 Category: Local Posted by: Philadelphia Sun Staff

The Office of the Sheriff of Philadelphia City and County has launched an interactive, data-rich WebAPP that offers detailed information on properties scheduled for sheriff’s sale that includes names, dates of sale, location, and what will possibly be the opening bid on the property

The site, at www.phillysheriff.com also contains maps, word-search fields, and a wealth of detailed information about the properties and the conditions under which they are being sold.

“This new feature is a continuation of our efforts to make us as transparent as possible while providing a level of technical efficiency and service that has never been offered by this office,” said Sheriff Jewell Williams.

The web application is the first of its kind in the nation to be used by a sheriff’s office, and is in line with Sheriff Williams pledge to provide more openness and accessibility to records and data for everyone. This has also helped to level the playing field for those looking for a home, and a piece of the American dream.

“When you look at who attends sheriff sales now,” said Sheriff Williams, “there are just as many individuals and first-time buyers as there are speculators and contractors. That’s partly because of innovations like this app, our outreach and educational seminars on how to buy at a sale.”

The upgraded website also offers:

An easy, interactive way to find the neighborhood in which a property is located.

A street view of the property on Google map

Names of current property owners

The possible opening bid you can expect at the sale.

The ability to download and save information right from the site

IT Director Tom Dodd, and web developer Mica Mahjoubian worked together to create the site and say the interest is already high, and increasing daily.

“Basically, the entire web site is all about delivering on promises of transparency and openness,” says Dodd. “Technology allows us to do just that, while also raising our level of professionalism and service.”