W. Pa. man buys home at tax sale, finds it razed

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A southwestern Pennsylvania man received a Christmas Eve lesson in the old adage, “Let the buyer beware.”

Billy Joe Sanders, of Pittsburgh, says he bought a home in Canonsburg during a Washington County tax sale in August. When he went to check on the property on Christmas Eve, he learned that it had been torn down by the county’s redevelopment authority — and has since learned his $5,500 won’t be refunded.

County officials say tax sales all include a “buyer beware” clause, and owners are responsible for doing a title search and otherwise checking on the property’s status.

Officials say buyers of homes slated for demolition are usually notified, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.

Sander says he plans to bill the county or sue to get his money back.