🏠Can you buy a home in Florida for less than the final judgment amount?
Yes, you absolutely can.
At a foreclosure auction in Florida, properties can and often do sell for less than the final judgment amount (which includes the unpaid loan balance, legal fees, interest, and court costs). If no third-party buyer bids, the lender usually takes the property back for the judgment amount. So that judgment is satisifed via the sale.
But if you or another third-party bid and win the auction—even if your bid is lower than the final judgment—the sale is valid and final as long as proper notice and legal process were followed.
đź’Ľ Can the bank come after you for the difference?
No, not if you're the buyer at the auction.
You're not the one who defaulted on the loan—the original borrower is. Any deficiency judgment (the difference between what the borrower owed and what the property sold for) would be the bank going after the borrower, not the auction buyer. You have no liability for that debt.
⚠️ Should this be avoided?
Not at all.
Buying below judgment is how many investors get great deals in the foreclosure market. In fact, the final judgment amount is often not an accurate representation of the property’s market value, especially if it’s inflated with interest and legal fees.
đź‘€ Just Be Sure To:
Do a title search before bidding – there may still be liens or HOA dues.
Inspect the judgment and case details – sometimes the bank may be aggressive in their credit bid and drive up the minimum acceptable price.
Understand your exit strategy – buying cheap is only good if you’ve accounted for repairs, title cleanup, and resale or rental value.
