Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida
My Foreclosure Case was filed in Manatee County Florida Dec 2007 & dismissed & closed for lack of prosecution Jun 2010. Can I sell my house in 2014?
******
Case Dismissed Foreclosure Home Foreclosure Mortgage Foreclosure Real Estate
Today is 011214. Can I sell my SFR property where Deed belong to my LLC and I am the manager? Bank filed foreclosure case on Dec 2007. Case was dismissed & closed for lack of prosecution on Jun 2010. Law Firm Marshall Watson represented Bank in this case. What has to be done to give me chance to sell this house? How long it can take before I can start selling process? How much it can cost to be in a position to sell this house as normal transaction? If experienced in this matter attorney can help me , it would be very nice... . I am ready to start the "cleaning" process right away. Thank you for your answers and your help to my family and thousands other families who still trying to save their homes.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Although the case was dismissed, the bank's lien may still show recorded on the home. This means if you try to sell now, a title company will want to satisfy the lien. You will need to proceed with a quiet title action to try and remove the bank's lien if you want to sell the home free and clear. Time and cost depends on bank's willingness to contest your quiet title action.
You can try to sell at any time. You still have title to the property. However, any buyer would take subject to the mortgage. To give you reasonable advice, I would need more information. For example, if the property is "upside down" you may want to consider a short sale.
In Florida, the bank's lien is its mortgage and it will still show up in the public records. Dismissal for lack of prosecution is without prejudice. That means the bank can again file a new foreclosure action. I doubt a title insurer would insure based on a default judgment of quiet title because it would be highly suspect. The bank has a legal right to choose when it wishes to foreclose.
You should consult with an attorney familiar with real estate law, specifically mortgage foreclosure and title, who can take the time to give you a realistic assessment of your options.