If you need assistance, please call 813-624-3332

Buying Foreclosures in Florida in 2022

Wednesday, March 30, 2022   /   by Stephanie LeFew

Buying Foreclosures in Florida in 2022

The current state of the foreclosure market in Florida

The federal foreclosure moratorium that was implemented in response to the pandemic severely restricted the supply of foreclosures across the country. The Supreme Court finally ended the moratorium at the end of August 2021, and since then the market has been gradually returning to normal, although with courts experiencing huge backlogs, we’re still not yet back to business as usual. However, having said that, the foreclosure rate in Florida has been among the highest in the country since the end of the moratorium. In both October and December of last year, Florida was reported to have the second-highest foreclosure rate in the country.  


Buying a pre-foreclosure property in Florida 


Buying a Florida home during pre-foreclosure means the period of time between the homeowner receiving a notice of default (NOD) and the property being foreclosed.  In Florida, it can take 10 to 12 months from the date of the first missed payment, for the lender to repossess the property. This provides investors with plenty of opportunities to purchase directly from a homeowner during the pre-foreclosure stage. And of course, getting in and negotiating a sale before a foreclosure hits an auction can result in a far more favorable deal for the investor. There are plenty of middlemen (both individuals and companies) operating in Florida, who identify pre-foreclosure opportunities and then connect buyers and sellers in exchange for a fee. While a pre-foreclosure can represent a very good opportunity, it is also vital to remember that the buyer might be liable to pay outstanding mortgage payments. To confirm if there are any liens to pay before committing to the sale. 

Buying a foreclosure at auction in Florida 

Once the pre-foreclosure period has been completed, the home will make its way to foreclosure. At this point, the property will go to auction to be sold. When real estate is sold at a public auction in Florida, it’s a legal requirement that the action is publicly advertised, such as in local newspapers and online. Many county clerks of the courts’ websites provide an online tool where you can view all foreclosures going to auction. However, once you find a foreclosure you’re interested in, check the listing regularly, as auction dates are often postponed at short notice due to legal wranglings between the homeowner and the lender. Also, during the period of time between finding a good listing and the auction date, you must perform your due diligence (or as much as is possible). As well as ticking off the basics such as checking for additional liens and encumbrances, it’s highly advisable to do a drive-by of the property. This is especially important if you’re unfamiliar with local Florida markets, as not only will this reveal the external condition of the home, but also what the neighborhood is like.   

Learn More From WeLend: Buying Foreclosures in Florida in 2022


  seller, foreclosure, sell my home, short sale, tampa foreclosure

Stephanie LeFew
6013 Wesley Grove Blvd, Ste 202, Office E
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-624-3332

mls logo© 2024 My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS, Inc.. All rights reserved. The data relating to real estate displayed on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Program of My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS, Inc. All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified. Listing information is provided for consumers' personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.11/2/2024 9:36 AM CST