Why we put this together
We're a local home-buying company, not a law firm — and we'll say that on every page. But we sit across the kitchen table from homeowners every week who had no idea Florida gives them a right of redemption, that surplus money after a foreclosure sale may be theirs, or that an automatic stay in bankruptcy can stop a sale overnight. Knowledge is leverage. Here's the map.
Choose your situation
- Facing foreclosure — redemption, surplus funds, loss-mitigation, and stopping the sale.
- Inheriting a house — probate, the personal representative's authority, and Florida homestead.
- Your home in a divorce — equitable distribution and the marital home.
- Renters when a property is sold or foreclosed — notice rights and the federal tenant-protection law.
- Property tax liens & tax deeds — redemption and surplus.
- Code enforcement liens — due process and how fines become liens.
- Your home in bankruptcy — the automatic stay and homestead exemption.
- Military families — Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections.
Three rights that surprise almost everyone
1. Right of redemption. In a Florida mortgage foreclosure you can generally cure the debt and keep the home up until the clerk files the certificate of sale (Fla. Stat. § 45.0315). 2. Surplus is yours. If the home sells for more than is owed, the owner of record is generally presumed entitled to the surplus (Fla. Stat. § 45.032). 3. A judge can stop a sale. A court has the power to set aside a foreclosure decree any time before the sale (Fla. Stat. § 702.07).
Want help reading your specific situation?
We'll walk through your options honestly — including telling you when keeping the home or calling a lawyer is the better move. Start with Foreclosure Fighters (free help) or get a no-obligation cash offer.
A note from Chris: I’m Chris Moore, and I’m not a lawyer — this is not legal advice. It’s general information my team researched from the official sources cited on this page (the Florida Statutes and the references listed below), and laws change. For help with a specific legal matter you should talk to a licensed attorney. Need a good one? Reach out to me here and I’ll gladly share my references.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general information with statute citations so you can read the law or share it with an attorney. We're a home buyer, not a law firm.
Do these rights cost money to use?
Many cost nothing — redemption, requesting loss mitigation, filing a surplus claim, or asking for a code-enforcement hearing. An attorney or HUD-approved counselor can help, often free or low-cost.
How do I read a Florida statute?
Each citation links to the official Florida Statutes at leg.state.fl.us. The number (for example § 45.0315) tells you the chapter and section.