Foreclosure in Florida: the timeline, your options, and how to sell for cash
Yes. In Florida a foreclosure has to go through the Circuit Court, so there is usually time to sell between the lawsuit and the Clerk's sale. You can sell for cash any time before the Clerk files the certificate of sale, pay off the lender at closing, and keep any equity that is left.
How foreclosure works in Florida, step by step
The stages below follow the Florida Statutes. Each county's Circuit Court, Clerk and Tax Collector handle the local steps — pick your area below for those details.
Missed payments
Federal servicing rules generally keep a lender from filing until a loan is more than 120 days behind. Use this window — it is the cheapest time to sell.
Lawsuit and lis pendens
The lender sues in the county Circuit Court and records a lis pendens. Once you are served you have 20 days to respond.
Final judgment
If the court rules for the lender, it sets a sale date, normally 20–35 days after the judgment (s. 45.031, Fla. Stat.).
Clerk's sale
The county Clerk of Court auctions the home, usually online. You can still pay off or sell until the Clerk files the certificate of sale (s. 45.0315).
After the sale
Any money above the debt is surplus. Claim it with the Clerk — surplus not paid out within a year of the sale is reported as unclaimed (s. 45.032).
Every option, honestly compared
Reinstate the loan
Pay the past-due amount plus fees. Works if the hardship is over and you can catch up in one lump sum.
Loan modification or forbearance
Ask your servicer for loss-mitigation review in writing. It can pause or restructure payments but takes time.
List with an agent
Can net more if you have months to spare and the house shows well. Hard to finish before a set sale date.
Short sale
If you owe more than the house is worth, the lender may accept less. Slow, and needs lender approval.
Sell for cash
Fastest path when the sale date is close. We pay off the lender at closing and you keep the remaining equity.
Foreclosure help by county and city
Local pages include the court, Clerk and neighborhoods for each area.
Brevard County · 18th Circuit
Broward County · 17th Circuit
Charlotte County · 20th Circuit
Duval County · 4th Circuit
Escambia County · 1st Circuit
Hernando County · 5th Circuit
Hillsborough County · 13th Circuit
Lee County · 20th Circuit
Leon County · 2nd Circuit
Manatee County · 12th Circuit
Marion County · 5th Circuit
Miami-Dade County · 11th Circuit
Orange County · 9th Circuit
Osceola County · 9th Circuit
Palm Beach County · 15th Circuit
Pinellas County · 6th Circuit
Polk County · 10th Circuit
St. Lucie County · 19th Circuit
Three steps. Your schedule.
Selling to us takes three steps, and you control the timing of every one.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
Cash sale vs. listing with an agent
Listing can bring a higher sticker price, but only after repairs, commissions and months of carrying costs come out of it.
| Traditional sale | QuikCashOffers | |
|---|---|---|
| Repairs before selling | Usually expected | None — sold as-is |
| Agent commissions | Often 5–6% | $0 |
| Showings and open houses | Weeks or months | None |
| Time to close | 30–60+ days after a contract | As little as 7 days |
| Financing risk | Buyer's loan can fall through | Cash — no loan needed |
| Closing costs | Often split or paid by seller | Normal costs covered by us |
Florida foreclosure questions
How long does foreclosure take in Florida?
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state, so every case goes through the Circuit Court. Contested cases often take many months; uncontested ones can move from filing to sale much faster. The sale itself is set 20–35 days after the final judgment.
Can I sell my house after the foreclosure sale date is set?
Yes. You can sell any time before the Clerk files the certificate of sale. Tell us your sale date when you request an offer and we'll schedule closing ahead of it.
What happens to my equity if the house goes to auction?
If the auction brings more than you owe, the extra is surplus that you can claim from the Clerk. Selling before the auction usually keeps more of your equity, because auction prices are often below market.
Does Florida law protect me when I sell a house in foreclosure?
Yes. Florida's foreclosure-rescue statute (s. 501.1377) sets contract and cancellation rules for investors who buy homes in foreclosure. Ask us and we'll walk you through your rights in writing before you sign anything.
Do you buy in every Florida county?
We focus on the counties and cities listed on this page and review other Florida addresses case by case. Submit the address and we'll tell you within a day.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide summarizes Florida law in plain English. For advice about your case, talk to a Florida attorney.
Get a cash offer on a house in foreclosure anywhere in Florida.
Two minutes to submit and a written offer within 24 hours.