Got a lis pendens or foreclosure notice in Lee County? You still have time to sell.
We buy houses with a lis pendens across Lee County as-is, for cash. Tell us your timeline and we'll build the closing around it.
- Written cash offer within 24 hours
- No obligation to accept
- You pick the closing date
Can I sell a house with a lis pendens in Lee County?
A lis pendens is the public notice a lender records when it files a foreclosure lawsuit. It does not mean you've lost the house. You can still sell, but the lis pendens has to be released at closing, so the sale must pay off the lender in full or be approved by them.
In Lee County, that means working with the Lee County Clerk of Court's records and a Florida title company we close with regularly.
How pre-foreclosure works in Lee County
Here's how a pre-foreclosure case usually moves in Lee County. Knowing where you are on this timeline tells you how much room you have to sell.
Breach letter
Most mortgages require the lender to send a notice of default (breach letter) giving you time — usually 30 days — to cure before it accelerates the loan.
Lis pendens recorded
When the lender files suit in the Lee County Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit), it records a lis pendens in the Lee County public records (s. 48.23, Fla. Stat.). Title searches will now show it.
Summons served
You have 20 days from service to file a response. Missing it can lead to a default judgment.
Case moves forward
The case heads toward summary or final judgment. This is the best window to sell on your terms.
Release at closing
When the sale pays off the loan, the lender dismisses the case and the lis pendens is released, clearing title.
Selling a house with a lis pendens in Lee County
Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County in 2022. Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral and Sanibel saw catastrophic surge, and many damaged homes are still subject to the FEMA 50% substantial-damage rule.
We buy houses with a lis pendens throughout Lee County, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres, and in unincorporated areas.
| County | Lee County, Southwest Florida |
|---|---|
| County seat | Fort Myers |
| Court for pre-foreclosure cases | Lee County Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit) |
| Official records & court sales | Lee County Clerk of Court |
| Property taxes | Lee County Tax Collector |
| Where we buy | Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres |
Before you sell in Lee County
You have more than one way out. Lee County homeowners in this spot usually weigh respond to the lawsuit, ask for loss mitigation, refinance or reinstate, sell with an agent and sell for cash. We'll tell you honestly if another option fits better.
Compare every option in the Florida guide →- A lis pendens showed up in the public records
- You were served with a foreclosure summons
- Calls and letters from investors started arriving
- You don't know how much time is left
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.
What Lee County homeowners ask about pre-foreclosure
What is a lis pendens in Florida?
It is a recorded notice that a lawsuit affecting the property is pending. In foreclosure, the lender records it when it files the complaint so anyone buying the house is on notice.
Can I sell a house with a lis pendens on it?
Yes. The title company gets a payoff from the lender, pays it at closing, and the lender then dismisses the case and releases the lis pendens.
Where is a lis pendens recorded in Lee County?
In the Lee County official records, kept by the Lee County Clerk of Court. You can search the records by owner name to see whether one has been filed.
Do you buy houses in every part of Lee County?
Yes — including Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres, the county seat of Fort Myers, and unincorporated areas.
Which court handles pre-foreclosure cases in Lee County?
The Lee County Circuit Court (20th Judicial Circuit). The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps the official records and runs court-ordered sales.
How fast can you close in Lee County?
As little as 7 days after you accept, using a Florida title company. If you need more time, we'll set the date that works for you.
Related help
Other situations in Lee County
Pre-Foreclosure & Lis Pendens help nearby
Get your no-obligation cash offer on your Lee County property.
Two minutes to submit, a written offer within 24 hours, and the closing date you choose. Nothing to fix, nothing to list.