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July 16, 2025

What to Do When Your Florida Home Is in Pre-Foreclosure

Facing pre-foreclosure in Florida? Learn your rights and discover how to sell your home fast for cash with help from Camarotti Homes.

If your Florida home is in pre-foreclosure, you might feel worried and unsure about what to do next. Pre-foreclosure can be a scary time, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose your home or your money. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your property.

To help you with this process, we’ll explain what a pre-foreclosure home means in Florida, your rights and options, and how you can sell a house in pre-foreclosure if needed. We’ll also show you why acting fast is important and how cash buyers like Camarotti Homes can help you sell your home fast and avoid foreclosure.

What Does Pre-Foreclosure Mean in Florida?

Pre-foreclosure is the first stage in the foreclosure process. It happens when a homeowner misses mortgage payments-usually for 90 days or more, and the lender files a Notice of Default (NOD). This notice tells you that your lender plans to start foreclosure if you don’t catch up on your payments.

During pre-foreclosure, you still own your home, but you’re at risk of losing it if you don’t act. The lender has started the legal process, but the home has not been sold at auction yet. This period gives you a chance to fix the problem, either by paying what you owe, negotiating with your lender, or selling the home.

In Florida, the foreclosure process is judicial. This means the lender must file a lawsuit and get court approval before they can take your home. This gives you some extra time to explore your options.

Your Legal Rights and Options During Pre-Foreclosure

As a homeowner in Florida, you have several important legal rights during pre-foreclosure:

1. Right to Receive Notice

The lender must notify you before starting foreclosure. You will receive a breach letter or notice of default explaining the missed payments and what you owe. This gives you a chance to respond before the court case begins.

2. Right to Respond to the Lawsuit

After the foreclosure lawsuit is filed, you have 20 days to file an answer with the court. If you respond, you can challenge the foreclosure and present your case.

3. Right to Fight Foreclosure in Court

You have the right to challenge a foreclosure by arguing that the lender made errors, such as not owning the loan, mishandling paperwork, or initiating foreclosure improperly. Additionally, you can raise a defense based on the statute of limitations. The law in Florida says foreclosure must start within five years of default.

4. Right to Reinstate Your Loan

You can stop foreclosure by paying all missed payments, fees, and costs before the foreclosure sale. This is called reinstating your loan.

5. Right to Mediation

Florida law encourages mediation between you and your lender. This means you can meet with the lender to discuss options like loan modifications or repayment plans to avoid foreclosure.

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6. Right to Short Sale

If you owe more than your home is worth, you can ask the lender to approve a short sale, where you sell the home for less than what you owe. This can avoid foreclosure and lessen damage to your credit.

7. Right of Redemption

After the foreclosure sale, Florida homeowners usually have 10 days to redeem their property by paying the full sale price. This gives you a last chance to keep your home.

8. Right to Protect Against Deficiency Judgments

If the foreclosure sale doesn’t cover your full mortgage debt, the lender might try to get a deficiency judgment for the remaining amount. Florida law limits this in some cases, especially for homestead properties.

Can You Sell a Home in Pre-Foreclosure?

Yes, you can sell a house in pre-foreclosure. In fact, if you sell your home in Florida during pre-foreclosure, it can be one of the best ways to avoid foreclosure and protect your credit.

Here’s why selling can help:

  • You can pay off your mortgage and any fees.
  • You avoid the long, stressful foreclosure process.
  • You stop damaging your credit score.
  • You may get some cash from the sale if your home is worth more than what you owe.
  • You can move on faster without the burden of debt.

You can choose to sell your home in Florida through a traditional real estate agent, but that can take time and may require repairs or cleaning. Another option is to sell your house as-is to cash buyers who buy homes quickly, no matter the condition.

Selling your home fast in Florida is possible, especially if you work with trusted Florida homebuyers who understand pre-foreclosure sales.

Why Acting Quickly Can Save You Money and Stress

When your Florida home is in pre-foreclosure, acting quickly is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from losing money and facing long-term stress. The pre-foreclosure property process can last several months, but during this time, fees and costs like late payments, penalties, and legal fees can pile up fast, making it harder to catch up or find a solution.

If you wait too long, the lender may move forward with foreclosure, which not only means losing your home but also damaging your credit score for years. A lower credit score can make it difficult to rent a new place, get loans, or even find good job opportunities later on.

On the other hand, if you act fast, you have more control over what happens next. You can talk to your lender about options like loan modification or repayment plans, or you can choose to sell your house as-is to trusted Florida homebuyers who buy houses for cash.

How Cash Buyers Can Help You Avoid Foreclosure

Cash buyers offer a fast, simple way to deal with a pre-foreclosure property, especially when time is running out. At Camarotti Homes, we understand the stress and urgency you're facing. We buy houses for cash in any condition, helping you avoid the worst outcomes of foreclosure.

Here’s how we help:

  • We buy ugly houses, no repairs needed.
  • We pay cash and close quickly.
  • We handle all the paperwork.
  • You don’t need to clean or stage the house.
  • You avoid fees, agents, and delays.

If you need to sell your house as-is, we are here for you. As local Florida homebuyers, we know what you're going through. We've helped many people sell a house in pre-foreclosure and find peace of mind. We understand Florida's real estate market and can offer a fair cash price for your home. Even if you only have a few weeks before the auction date, we may still be able to help.

Stop Foreclosure: Sell to Camarotti Homes Today

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If your Florida home is in pre-foreclosure, don’t wait until it’s too late. You have options to protect your credit and your future. At Camarotti Homes, we buy ugly houses, and we buy houses for cash. That means you can sell your house as-is without repairs or delays.

Our expert team will give you a fair cash offer fast. You can close on your schedule and avoid the stress of foreclosure. We make it simple to sell your home fast and move forward with peace of mind. Ready to stop foreclosure and sell your home fast to Camarotti Homes? Call us now, and let us help you take control of your situation today.

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