How to Stop Foreclosure in Florida
If you are trying to stop foreclosure on a Florida home, you likely have more options and more time than it feels like right now. Florida uses a judicial foreclosure process, which means the lender has to file a lawsuit and go through the court before a sale date is set.
The earlier you act, the more choices you keep. Below is a plain overview of common paths homeowners consider, followed by how a direct sale to our investment group can help when keeping the home is not realistic.
This page is general information, not legal advice. A real estate attorney or a HUD approved housing counselor can review your specific situation.
Common Ways Homeowners Try to Stop Foreclosure
Reinstatement
Paying the past due amount, plus fees and costs, can bring the loan current. Ask your lender for a written reinstatement figure.
Loan modification or repayment plan
Many lenders will review a hardship application that changes your payment terms or spreads missed payments over time.
Forbearance
A forbearance temporarily lowers or pauses payments during a short term hardship. The missed amount is usually repaid later.
Short sale or deed in lieu
If you owe more than the home is worth, your lender may accept less than the full balance through a short sale, or take the property back through a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
Selling the property
If you have equity, selling before the foreclosure sale can pay off the loan and protect your credit from a completed foreclosure. This is where a direct cash sale can help.
The Florida Foreclosure Timeline
Every case is different, but most Florida foreclosures follow the same general path. Knowing where you are helps you see how much time you have.
Missed payments and notices
Federal servicing rules generally prevent a lender from starting a foreclosure until a borrower is more than 120 days behind. During that period you will usually receive letters and calls about the missed payments.
The lawsuit
Because Florida is a judicial foreclosure state, the lender files a complaint in the circuit court. Once you are served, you typically have 20 days to respond, which is an important deadline to discuss with an attorney.
Final judgment and sale date
If the court enters a final judgment, it sets a foreclosure sale date, usually 20 to 35 days later. Many options to stop foreclosure become harder after this point, so acting earlier matters.
How Selling to Our Investment Group Can Help
When you sell directly to us, you skip the listing, repairs and showings that can take months. Our offer is in writing, and you choose from the available closing dates. The mortgage and any liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing through a title company.
- No commissions
- We cover the closing costs agreed upon in the purchase contract
- We buy as is, even if the home needs significant work
- You can review the offer with your attorney before signing
We are not able to stop foreclosure for you directly, and we cannot promise that a sale will close before a court date. What we can do is move quickly, explain the numbers clearly and coordinate with your lender and the title company.
Next Steps
If a sale may be part of your plan to stop foreclosure, reach out as early as possible so there is time to review the property. See how our process works.
Concerned about repairs? Learn how we buy Florida homes as is for cash, then fill out the form to request your offer.