Sheriff's sales and tax-upset sales, have turned thousands of families out of their homes in communities throughout the country.

But so far, Lancaster County has experienced only a modest increase in foreclosures.

Nearly 900 mortgage foreclosure notices were filed with the county prothonotary during the first eight months of this year. If that rate continues, a record 1,300 notices will be filed by the end of the year — 200 more than last year.

But most foreclosure proceedings are halted before they reach a sheriff's sale as property owners and banks work out plans for mortgage payments.

A total of 234 homes actually were sold during the county's first four of seven sheriff's sales scheduled this year. If that rate continues, more than 400 homes will be sold in 2009, eclipsing last year's 312 properties.

Some parts of the country also have experienced large increases in tax-upset sales — homes sold because their owners could not pay their property taxes.

But only five properties were sold at Lancaster County's recent main upset sale of the year.

That's about the same number as in previous years, said Deb Dochat, director of the county's tax claim bureau.

"We had more people come in this year to get their taxes paid," she said, "but I don't see a huge increase in delinquencies."

jbrubaker@lnpnews.com