How to Get Access to New for Florida Deed & Foreclosure Auction Sales

Florida is one of the most active real estate auction markets in the U.S., offering opportunities through tax deed sales and judicial foreclosure auctions. This guide shows you exactly where to find new sales and how to access them—plus direct county links for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, Highlands, Lee, and Polk.
Table of Contents
- Deed vs. Foreclosure Sales (What’s the Difference?)
- How to Access New Florida Auction Sales
- County-by-County Links & Details
- Statewide Tools & Aggregators
- Best Practices for Bidders
- FAQ
Deed vs. Foreclosure Sales (What’s the Difference?)
| Type of Sale | Description | Where It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Deed Sales | When property taxes remain unpaid, the county sells the property to recover taxes owed. | County Tax Collector / Clerk auction portals (often online) |
| Judicial Foreclosure Sales | After a lender wins a foreclosure judgment, the court orders a public sale. | County Clerk of Court / judicial sale platforms (often online) |
How to Access New Florida Auction Sales
- Register on each county’s auction portal (create bidder account, place deposit).
- Monitor calendars and sale lists (new cases are added frequently).
- Track filings (Lis Pendens, judgments, tax deed applications) for early signals.
- Perform due diligence (title, liens, property condition, taxes) before bidding.
- Be ready with funds—payment windows are short and missing deadlines can forfeit your deposit.
County-by-County Links & Details
Palm Beach County
- Types: Foreclosure & Tax Deed
- Foreclosures: Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m. — Clerk Foreclosures
- Tax Deeds: Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. — Tax Deed Sale Info
- How-to: Tax Deeds Workshop Toolbox
- Tip: Register early and fund your deposit to unlock bidding.
Broward County
- Types: Judicial Foreclosure & Tax Deed
- Foreclosures: RealForeclose (Broward)
- Tax Deeds: DeedAuction.net (Broward)
- Tip: Watch both portals; deposit requirements commonly start at 5%.
Miami-Dade County
- Types: Foreclosure & Tax Deed
- Tax Deeds: Online Tax Deed Auctions
- Foreclosures: Mortgage Foreclosure Sales
- Tip: Busy docket—set email reminders and review case docs before bidding.
St. Lucie County
- Types: Foreclosure & Tax Deed
- Auctions: Clerk Auctions Hub (RealAuction/RealForeclose)
- Tip: Use the calendar + case search to verify judgments and redemption timelines.
Highlands County
- Types: Judicial Foreclosure (in person)
- Info & Calendar: Foreclosure Sales
- Tip: Submit any required “Intent to Bid” forms; arrive early on sale day with certified funds.
Lee County
- Types: Tax Deed & Foreclosure
- Tax Deeds: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. — Tax Deed Sales
- General Sales Info: Foreclosure & Tax Deed Sales
- Tip: Pull property packets early; check for municipal or utility liens.
Polk County
- Types: Tax Deed & Foreclosure
- Tax Deeds: 3rd Thursday monthly, 9:30 a.m. — Tax Deeds
- Foreclosures: Foreclosure Sales (RealAuction)
- Tip: The predictable schedule makes due diligence and funding timelines easier to plan.
Statewide Tools & Aggregators
- Auction.com — Foreclosure and bank-owned listings statewide.
- PropertyOnion — Florida-focused tax deed & foreclosure leads.
- RealForeclose / RealAuction — Official platforms for many Florida counties.
Best Practices for Bidders
- Register & fund deposits early. Some portals restrict bidding until funds clear.
- Calendar the sale dates. Many counties run sales on fixed days/times.
- Track Lis Pendens & judgments. These are leading indicators of upcoming auctions.
- Run title checks. Validate liens, HOA or code enforcement fines, and tax status.
- Inspect the property (drive-by). Confirm occupancy and exterior condition.
- Understand finality. Most sales are “as-is” with limited or no post-sale cancellation.
FAQ
Do I need to be a Florida resident to bid?
No. Most counties allow any qualified bidder with a verified account and deposit to participate.
How much deposit is required?
Varies by county and platform; commonly 5% for foreclosure sales. Tax deed deposits may differ. Always check the auction page rules in advance.
What happens if I win?
You’ll have a short window (often by the same day or within 24 hours) to pay the balance plus fees. Failure to pay typically forfeits your deposit and the sale may be rescheduled.
Next step: Create your bidder accounts on the county portals above, set email alerts, and start a due-diligence checklist so you can act quickly when new sales post.