Got a lis pendens or foreclosure notice in Polk County? You still have time to sell.
We buy houses with a lis pendens across Polk 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 Polk 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.
We handle Polk County closings through a Florida title company, which coordinates payoffs with the Polk County Clerk of Court records.
How pre-foreclosure works in Polk County
Here's how a pre-foreclosure case usually moves in Polk 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 Polk County Circuit Court (10th Judicial Circuit), it records a lis pendens in the Polk 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 Polk County
Polk County sits on the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando and has been one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
We buy houses with a lis pendens throughout Polk County, including Haines City, Lakeland and Winter Haven, and in unincorporated areas.
| County | Polk County, Central Florida |
|---|---|
| County seat | Bartow |
| Court for pre-foreclosure cases | Polk County Circuit Court (10th Judicial Circuit) |
| Official records & court sales | Polk County Clerk of Court |
| Property taxes | Polk County Tax Collector |
| Where we buy | Haines City, Lakeland, Winter Haven |
Is selling right for your Polk County house?
A cash sale isn't the only path. Polk 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're happy to talk through each one — no pressure.
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 Polk County homeowners ask about pre-foreclosure
Is a notice of default the same as a lis pendens?
No. A notice of default (or breach letter) comes from the lender before a lawsuit. A lis pendens is recorded once the lawsuit has been filed.
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.
Where is a lis pendens recorded in Polk County?
In the Polk County official records, kept by the Polk 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 Polk County?
Yes — including Haines City, Lakeland and Winter Haven, the county seat of Bartow, and unincorporated areas.
Which court handles pre-foreclosure cases in Polk County?
The Polk County Circuit Court (10th Judicial Circuit). The Polk County Clerk of Court keeps the official records and runs court-ordered sales.
How fast can you close in Polk 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 Polk County
Pre-Foreclosure & Lis Pendens help nearby
Get your no-obligation cash offer on your Polk County property.
Two minutes to submit, a written offer within 24 hours, and the closing date you choose. Nothing to fix, nothing to list.