I came across a vacant house for sale, zoned commercial and called the realtor. He says I can dig up what I want
I found some peonies there, but they have buds on them. I know this is a bad time to move them, I don't care if they don't bloom now of course, but will moving them kill them? Should I cut the foliage off or leave it? I have no choice but to take them now, so what is the best way?

I'd just dig them up, leaving as much soil around the root as possible, and relocate them as one piece. I've sccessfully divided peonies in the spring but it's always been really early, not one buds have formed. Just treat them like Amy other newly transplanted perennial and they'll do fine. You might want to set up a bit more shade until they're established, though, and don't let them dry out completely. I wouldn't cut them back but you might want to remove the buds if there are many. Congratulations on your new peonies!

I think I will just nip off the buds (soooo hard to do ) and leave all the foliage. I have moved peonies before, just never this late in the spring, so we shall see!
I have no idea what color they are, but I suspect whatever it is will be an older variety. The iris there all look like the historic kind.

A nice addition to your garden! Good luck!
I think they will be beautiful in future years.

As someone who has moved ALOT I have moved my peonies in bloom a few times. They will be fine
leave dirt on them & remember if they have been there a while they might be deeper than you think. My Sarah Bernhardt likes
to sink LOL I would leave one flower on each

Congrats on the new peonies and congrats to the peonies for finding a "Home"