How Pennsylvania tax sales work

In Pennsylvania what you get depends on the kind of sale, not just the state.

At an upset sale, the first sale for unpaid taxes, the property comes with every mortgage and lien not covered by the upset price. A judicial sale or a sale from the county repository conveys it free and clear of tax and municipal claims, mortgages and liens, except ground rents taxed separately.

Philadelphia's sheriff sales are sold as is: liens the post-sale distribution does not pay can survive, the Sheriff can cancel a sale after the auction closes, and the owner of a property that is not vacant generally has 9 months to redeem it.

Each Pennsylvania listing on landrush links the official list it came from, so you can check which kind of sale it is.