Good question. I've settled on a hamlet pick and I know as of right now there is nobody in place as the Count. I'm considering buying it during the auction if it still remains open but want to keep my little hamlet (which I plan to town into a town during Expo).
I think, and I could be wrong, but the count has to have a town or higher because of building requirements, so your hamlet may be made a town, though the studio has said they are still working on that. If you were planning to buy the town and county, that isn't possible with your current account as you can only buy up, unless you were doing an alt.