Understanding Final Judgement & Liens on Foreclosures in FL

[Owais Hassan]

I have been monitoring foreclosure auctions in Pinellas County, FL and I need some help in understanding a few things:

1- In some cases, I see the Final Judgement Amount is pretty low compared to the assessed value of the house. Looking at the Final Judgement paperwork at the county website, all that is listed is things like delinquent HOA fees, interest on pas due payments etc. My question is, are you bidding on the actual house or the delinquent payments even though the auction type is "foreclosure"? If a person wins such an auction, what do they win? The house or you just signed up to pay someone's past due bills?

2- How do you search for liens on a property? I have read a few threads here which suggest that this information is public and can be found on the county website. Can someone please provide more guidance on this?

3- If someone holds a lien on a property but it is not recorded in official documents, what is the legal standing of such a lien if you win the auction and the property comes in your possession?

4- What kind of title does one get upon winning a county foreclosure auction?

I would appreciate your guidance on these questions.

Thanks,

Owais Hassan

[Wayne Brooks]

If the 1st mtg is the one foreclosing, all other liens except HOA debts and property taxes get wiped out, assuming the other lien holders were named/served in the foreclosure. If a second mtg is foreclosing the first mtg remains on the property, along with HOA debts.

If it is the HOA foreclosing, all other mtg.s and liens will remain.

To find mtg.s/liens go to the county Clerk Of Court, Official Records search.

If you win the auction you get title to the property, subject to any remaining debts as above. You receive s Certificate Of Title (CT).

If a “lien” is not recorded, then it is not a lien on the property, except for HOA debts and county debts (code violations, etc) and utilities.