This dataset lists the foreclosure auction rules of 38 Florida counties, each read from the county clerk's own page, and in 15 of the 38 the full balance is due the same day as the sale, not the next business day. It covers the auction platform, sale days, start time, deposit and balance deadline for each county, as read between September 19, 2026 and November 3, 2026 (Q3 2026 to Q4 2026).
Download the CSV (38 rows, one per county, with every column in the table below plus fees and the parsed times).
What the data shows
- 15 of the 38 counties require the full balance on the same day as the sale: Baker, Brevard, Duval, Escambia, Indian River, Lake, Leon, Nassau, Okeechobee, Osceola, Pasco, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota and Walton. The other 23 give until the next business day.
- Among the 23 next-business-day counties, the most common deadline is 12:00 pm (7 counties); the earliest is 9:00 am, in Manatee.
- 23 counties start at 11:00 am, 8 counties at 10:00 am, 3 counties at 9:00 am (Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota), 1 county at 11:30 am (Nassau), 1 county at 12:00 pm (St. Johns) and 1 county at 8:00 am (St. Lucie). 1 county (Broward) states no single start time; the clerk's calendar sets each sale. 6 counties (Bay, Escambia, Jackson, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington) state Central time, one hour behind Eastern.
- 36 counties sell through RealForeclose and 2 counties in person at the courthouse.
- All 38 counties require a deposit of 5%. Brevard alone sets a dollar floor: $200 or 5%, whichever is greater. In the clerk's own wording, 28 counties take the percentage from the bid you plan to make, 7 from the winning bid, and 3 do not say which.
- 23 counties hold sales Monday to Friday, 12 counties on fewer weekdays (Baker, Brevard, Charlotte, Jackson, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie and Washington) and 2 counties (Leon and Marion) on the date set in each final judgment.
The data
| County | Platform | Sale days | Start time | Deposit rule | Balance deadline | Verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 5:00 pm, next business dayThe balance, court registry fee and documentary stamps are due in person by 5:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the sale is declared void | Clerk page | |
| Baker | RealForeclose | Thursdays, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your successful final bid, by wire or in person by money order, cash or cashier's check | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance and service charge are due by 4:00 pm the SAME business day as the sale | Clerk page | |
| Bay | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Central | 5% of your successful final bid, by wire, electronic check, or in person by cash or cashier's check | 11:00 am, next business dayThe balance and service charge are due by 11:00 am the next business day, or the sale is declared void | Clerk page | |
| Brevard | RealForeclose | Wednesdays, except legal holidays | 11:00 am, stated by the clerk as EST | The greater of $200 or 5% of the most you intend to bid, per file, posted before the sale begins. The clerk states this deposit is non-refundable | 5:00 pm, same dayThe balance, plus recording, registry and documentary stamps, is due by 5:00 pm the same day as the sale | Clerk page | |
| Broward | RealForeclose | Weekdays | Check the clerk's calendar for each sale | 5% of the winning bid, due by 3:00 pm on the business day before the sale | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance is due by 12:00 pm on the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Charlotte | RealForeclose | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cashier's check or money order | 11:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus the registry service charge is due in person by 11:00 am Eastern the next business day, by cashier's check or money order | Clerk page | |
| Clay | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by wire or in person by cash or cashier's check. Wired funds must arrive by 3:00 pm the day before the sale | 12:00 pm, next business dayCash, cashier's check or wire must be received by 12:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the sale is declared void and reset | Clerk page | |
| Duval | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus court registry fees is due by 4:00 pm Eastern on the DAY OF THE SALE, not the next day. Miss it and the sale is void and reset | Clerk page | |
| Escambia | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays and court closings | 11:00 am Central | 5% of your anticipated high bid, per lot. In-person deposits are due by 3:00 pm Central the day before | 5:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus the registry charge is due by 5:00 pm Central the SAME DAY as the sale | Clerk page | |
| Flagler | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check on the auction site | 11:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus the registry service charge is due by 11:00 am Eastern the next business day, by wire or from deposit funds | Clerk page | |
| Gilchrist | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your successful final bid, by wire or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance, registry charge and documentary stamps are due by 12:00 pm Eastern the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Hillsborough | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% of the winning bid. ACH transfers take 5 business days to clear, and in-person deposits are accepted until 4:00 pm the day before | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance is due by 12:00 pm on the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Indian River | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 2:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus the registry charge is due in person by 2:00 pm Eastern the SAME business day | Clerk page | |
| Jackson | RealForeclose | Thursdays | 11:00 am Central | 5% of your anticipated high bid, per lot. In-person deposits are due by 4:00 pm the day before | 4:00 pm, next business dayThe balance, registry charge, documentary stamps and the online auction fee are due by 4:00 pm the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Lake | In person at the courthouse | Monday to Friday, when a sale is scheduled. Sales are generally in the first-floor Jury Assembly Room, east wing | 11:00 am | 5% of your bid, immediately at the time of the sale. Cash, cashier's check, money order or attorney trust account check only; no personal checks, and no cashier's checks dated more than two months back | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus costs is due by 4:00 pm the SAME DAY as the sale, unless the final judgment states otherwise. Miss it and the deposit is forfeited | Clerk page | |
| Lee | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday online. A few cases are still sold at the courthouse, on Tuesdays only | 9:00 am online; the remaining courthouse sales start at 11:00 am | 5% of your anticipated final bid. Deposits must be started on the auction site and the funds must settle in the clerk's account by 4:00 pm the business day before | 4:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus all fees is due by 4:00 pm the next business day, or the deposit is forfeited and the sale is void | Clerk page | |
| Leon | RealForeclose | On the date set in the judgment, except legal and bank holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, due by 3:00 pm Eastern the day before the sale, by wire or in person | 4:30 pm, same dayUnusually short: winning bid payments are due by 4:30 pm Eastern the SAME day as the sale | Clerk page | |
| Manatee | RealForeclose | Tuesday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 9:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus the registry charge is due by 9:00 am Eastern the next business day. The clerk states there are no exceptions, and a certificate of no sale is issued if funds are late. Documentary stamps are due within 10 days | Clerk page | |
| Marion | RealForeclose | On the date set in the final judgment, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, placed one business day before the sale, by electronic check, wire (a $6 bank fee applies) or in person | 4:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus the registry charge is due by 4:00 pm Eastern the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Martin | RealForeclose | Tuesday and Thursday, except legal holidays | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 10:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus the registry charge is due in person by 10:00 am Eastern the next business day, or the sale is declared void and reset | Clerk page | |
| Miami-Dade | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 9:00 am Eastern | 5% of your anticipated high bid, per lot. In person by 3:00 pm Eastern the day before; wire transfers need two full business days to clear | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus fees is due by 12:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the 5% deposit is forfeited and the sale is void | Clerk page | |
| Nassau | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:30 am Eastern | 5% of your successful final bid, by wire, electronic check or in person. In-person deposits are accepted until 10:30 am Eastern on the day of the sale | 3:30 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance and service charge are due by 3:30 pm the SAME day as the sale | Clerk page | |
| Okeechobee | RealForeclose | Wednesdays, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 4:30 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus the registry charge is due by 4:30 pm Eastern the DAY OF THE SALE | Clerk page | |
| Orange | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check, wire, or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order. An ACH deposit needs three full working days to settle | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus the court registry service charge is due in person at the clerk's office by 12:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the sale is declared void and reset | Clerk page | |
| Osceola | In person at the courthouse | On the date advertised | 11:00 am | 5% of your bid, paid at the sale. A judgment holder that wins does not post it. Cash, money order or cashier's check only; the clerk accepts no personal or business checks | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the full price plus the registry fee is due before 4:00 pm the SAME DAY as the sale, by cash, money order or cashier's check. The clerk states no exceptions are made, and a missed payment forfeits the deposit | Clerk page | |
| Palm Beach | RealForeclose | Monday to Thursday, except designated holidays. The clerk says sales are generally held on these days; check the auction calendar for exact dates | 10:00 am | 5% of your successful final bid. An online ACH deposit must be made at least three full business days before the auction; cash, an official bank check, a cashier's check or an attorney trust account check are also accepted, but not personal checks | 2:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus the court registry service charge must reach the clerk by 2:00 pm the next business day, by wire, cash, official bank check, cashier's check or attorney trust account check. Personal checks are not accepted, and ACH is not either unless you are the judgment holder, represented by counsel, bidding within your judgment credit | Clerk page | |
| Pasco | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, excluding legal holidays | From 11:00 am | At least 5% of your intended high bid, on account and cleared before the sale. ACH needs four full business days to settle and a wire needs one; cash or a cashier's check is due by 5:00 pm the business day before | 4:00 pm, same dayEvery form of payment for a winning bid must be received by 4:00 pm Eastern on the day of the sale, or the 5% deposit is forfeited | Clerk page | |
| Pinellas | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% in advance. Funds must reach the clerk by 3:00 pm Eastern the day before the sale to land in your bidder account | 11:00 am, next business dayThe balance is due by 11:00 am Eastern the next business day, or the 5% deposit is forfeited and the sale is void | Clerk page | |
| Polk | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 10:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 12:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus the registry service charge is due in person by 12:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the sale is declared void and reset | Clerk page | |
| Putnam | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 3:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus the registry charge is due in person by 3:00 pm the SAME business day | Clerk page | |
| Santa Rosa | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Central | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 3:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus the registry charge is due in person by 3:00 pm Central the SAME business day | Clerk page | |
| Sarasota | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 9:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance plus court registry fees is due by 4:00 pm Eastern on the DAY OF THE SALE, or by the deadline in the judgment. Wires must be started at your bank before 4:00 pm | Clerk page | |
| Seminole | RealForeclose | Tuesdays and Thursdays only | 11:00 am | 5% of your anticipated final bid. Deposits must be started on the auction site and the funds must settle in the clerk's account by 3:00 pm Eastern the business day before | 2:00 pm, next business dayThe balance plus all fees is due by 2:00 pm Eastern the next business day, or the deposit is forfeited and the sale is void | Clerk page | |
| St. Johns | RealForeclose | Thursdays, except legal holidays | 12:00 pm Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check on the auction site | 2:00 pm, next business dayThe balance and court registry fees are due by 2:00 pm Eastern the following business day | Clerk page | |
| St. Lucie | RealForeclose | Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except legal holidays | 8:00 am Eastern | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check on the auction site | 2:00 pm, next business dayThe balance and fees are due by 2:00 pm Eastern the following business day | Clerk page | |
| Volusia | RealForeclose | Most business days, Monday to Friday | 11:00 am | At least 5% of the high bid you plan to make. Fund your bidder account with it before the sale | 10:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus fees must reach the clerk by 10:00 am Eastern the next business day | Clerk page | |
| Walton | RealForeclose | Monday to Friday, except legal holidays | 11:00 am Central | 5% of your estimated final bid | 4:00 pm, same dayUnusually short: the balance, registry charge and sale fee are due in person by 4:00 pm Central on the DAY OF THE SALE. A sale shown as cancelled can still run, so watch it until 11:00 am | Clerk page | |
| Washington | RealForeclose | Wednesdays, except legal holidays | 10:00 am Central | 5% of your estimated final bid, by electronic check or in person by cash, cashier's check or money order | 10:00 am, next business dayThe balance plus the registry charge is due in person by 10:00 am the next business day (the clerk's page states this deadline in Eastern time) | Clerk page |
How we collect this
Each row was read by hand from that county clerk's own auction site or court page, linked in the Source column. The Verified column is the day it was read. Nothing is estimated, and one county's rule is never carried over to another. Counties whose clerk page was unclear or stated no payment deadline are left out, so this covers 38 of Florida's 67 counties.
Each clerk page is re-read on a 90-day cycle. The oldest read here falls due on December 18, 2026. Times are local, as the clerk states them. The same-day and next-business-day labels come from the clerk's own wording; the full rule is printed next to each one.
This dataset covers the rules of each sale, not what happened at it. Clerks change rules without notice, so confirm on the clerk's page before you bid. More on our sourcing: how we check our facts.
Citing this data
Cite it as: Florida Foreclosure Playbook, “Florida foreclosure auction rules by county”, rules as read between September 19, 2026 and November 3, 2026 (Q3 2026 to Q4 2026), https://playbook.newlevelinvestment.com/data/florida-foreclosure-auction-rules. Each county's own page has the fees and notes that do not fit in a table: auction rules by county.
Changelog
- : Dataset page and CSV download first published, built from the county rules already shown on each county page.
- : Clerk pages read for 3 counties: Lake, Osceola and Palm Beach.
- : Clerk pages read for 35 counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Volusia, Walton and Washington.