When your property sold at a tax sale or mortgage foreclosure, there could be surplus money left over. Most former owners never claim it. Foreclosure Recovery Agent recovers it for you — fast, transparent, risk-free.
Walk through our process with our AI agent — learn how we recover your money and get answers to your questions in real time.
After a tax sale or mortgage foreclosure, leftover funds belong to you. Here's how it works.
When your property goes to auction — whether for unpaid taxes or a mortgage default — it's sold to the highest bidder. If the sale price exceeds what you owed (taxes, mortgage balance, liens, legal fees), the extra money is called excess funds or surplus proceeds.
That money belongs to you — the former property owner. But neither the county nor the lender is required to track you down and return it. The funds sit unclaimed, often for years.
Your property owed $45,000 in back taxes and fees. It sold at auction for $78,000. You're entitled to $33,000 in excess funds — but you have to claim it through a legal process.
Your mortgage balance was $120,000. Your home sold at foreclosure auction for $195,000. After fees, you may be entitled to the $70,000+ surplus — but only if you file a legal claim before those funds are disbursed elsewhere.
Surplus funds arise from foreclosure sales across multiple states. Select your state below to see how the law protects your right to recover what's yours.
When a property sells at a tax sale for more than the total taxes, fees, and liens owed, the county is legally required to hold those surplus funds for the former owner.
Former owners typically have up to 5 years from the date of the tax sale to claim their surplus funds — acting fast is critical. Missing the deadline forfeits your right.
Claiming surplus requires filing a formal petition in Superior Court, providing proof of ownership, and satisfying any competing claims from lienholders or mortgage companies.
If your property owed $30,000 in back taxes but sold for $95,000 — the $65,000 difference is yours by law. Most owners never know this money exists.
Why this matters: Georgia counties are not required to proactively notify former owners. Millions sit unclaimed every year. Foreclosure Recovery Agent handles the entire filing process — at no upfront cost.
When a lender forecloses under a power of sale and the auction price exceeds the outstanding mortgage balance, fees, and costs, the difference is surplus — and it belongs to you.
Surplus funds from mortgage foreclosures can be disbursed to junior lienholders or escheated to the state if unclaimed. Acting quickly protects your priority claim.
You must petition the Superior Court for disbursement, demonstrate your ownership interest, and resolve any competing claims from junior lienholders before funds are released.
If your home had a $150,000 mortgage and sold at foreclosure auction for $220,000 — the ~$70,000 balance (after fees) is surplus you're legally entitled to claim.
Why this matters: Mortgage servicers and trustees are not required to hunt down former owners to return surplus. Without legal action, this money is often disbursed to other parties or lost. Foreclosure Recovery Agent pursues your claim at no upfront cost.
When a property sells at a tax foreclosure for more than the outstanding taxes, the county treasurer is required to retain the surplus for the former owner until claimed.
Former owners have only 3 years from when the treasurer receives the funds to demand payment. After that, the surplus is forfeited to the county's delinquent tax fund — permanently.
You must file a written demand with the county treasurer, provide proof of your prior ownership, and address any competing claims from junior lienholders before funds are released.
If your property owed $15,000 in back taxes but sold at tax sale for $90,000 — the $75,000 difference is surplus that belongs to you by law.
Why this matters: Ohio county treasurers are not required to proactively locate former owners. The 3-year window closes fast. Foreclosure Recovery Agent pursues your claim immediately — at no upfront cost.
Ohio requires a court-supervised sheriff's sale for all mortgage foreclosures. When the sale price exceeds the total judgment amount, the clerk of courts holds the surplus for the former owner.
The clerk must notify the former owner within 90 days — but notices are often missed. If certified mail is returned, notice may only be published as a newspaper ad or posted on the court website.
You must respond to the clerk and petition the court to release your surplus funds. Competing claims from junior lienholders are resolved in priority order before funds reach you.
If your home had a $110,000 mortgage judgment and sold at sheriff's sale for $175,000 — the $65,000 balance is surplus you're legally entitled to recover.
Why this matters: Many former Ohio homeowners never receive or respond to the clerk's notice. Funds sit unclaimed until deadlines pass. Foreclosure Recovery Agent tracks these cases and files your claim before the window closes — at no upfront cost.
When a tax sale certificate is foreclosed via judicial sale, the sheriff deposits any surplus funds with the Superior Court after satisfying the tax debt. The former owner may then file a motion to recover them.
After 5 years from the judicial sale date, unclaimed surplus funds may be transferred to the tax sale certificate holder. Time is critical — delays shrink your claim window.
The former owner must file a motion in the Superior Court, demonstrate entitlement to the funds, and address any competing lien claims before the court orders disbursement.
If your property had $20,000 in unpaid taxes and sold at a judicial sheriff's sale for $130,000 — the remaining funds after tax redemption belong to you by statute.
Why this matters: NJ tax sale foreclosures are complex — private investors often hold the certificates and move quickly. Foreclosure Recovery Agent protects your right to the surplus — at no upfront cost.
After a NJ mortgage foreclosure sheriff's sale, the lender is paid what is owed. Any remaining proceeds are deposited into the Superior Court Trust Fund — held for the former owner and lienholders.
New Jersey gives former owners up to 10 years to claim surplus mortgage funds. But waiting creates complications — records disappear, lienholders surface, and creditors compete for your share.
You must file a motion with the Office of Foreclosure in the Superior Court. The court reviews all lien priorities before ordering disbursement — legal representation accelerates this process significantly.
If your home had a $200,000 mortgage balance and sold at sheriff's sale for $310,000 — approximately $110,000 (after fees and costs) is held for you by the court.
Why this matters: NJ surplus funds are held by the court but they don't come automatically — you must file the right motion with supporting documentation. Foreclosure Recovery Agent handles every filing at no upfront cost.
Your recovery is backed by licensed attorneys every step of the way.
Excess funds recovery is a legal process that requires precise filings, documentation, and adherence to strict court deadlines. That's why every Foreclosure Recovery Agent client is represented by licensed attorneys who specialize in surplus proceeds claims.
From the moment you engage with us, our legal team handles all court filings, claim submissions, and negotiations on your behalf. You're not navigating this alone — you have professional legal counsel working to secure what's rightfully yours.
Our attorneys prepare and file all legal documents, represent your interests in court proceedings if needed, communicate with county offices and trustees, and ensure all deadlines are met. You stay informed at every step, but the heavy lifting is handled by professionals.
We navigate the complex legal process so you don't have to.
Tell us about your foreclosure. We research county records to determine if excess funds exist and how much you're owed.
Our legal team handles all paperwork, court filings, and deadlines. You don't pay anything upfront — we only get paid if you do.
When funds are released, you receive your money. Most recoveries are completed within 90-180 days.
We only get paid when you do. If no funds exist or we can't recover them, you owe nothing.
Most recoveries complete in 3-6 months. We handle deadlines, filings, and follow-ups so you don't miss out.
Track your case status online anytime. All payments are handled through secure, insured channels.
We've recovered millions for former property owners. Our team specializes in excess funds claims nationwide.
Fill out our form below with details about your foreclosure. We'll research county records for free and let you know within 5-7 business days if excess funds exist.
We work on contingency. Our fee is a percentage of the recovered amount, only charged when you receive your money. No recovery = no fee.
Yes. Deadlines vary by jurisdiction — some as short as 1-2 years from the sale date. Contact us immediately to avoid losing your claim.
No problem. We can work with co-owners, estates, or heirs. We'll guide you through the process regardless of ownership structure.
No. Our team handles all legal filings and representation. You don't need to hire anyone separately.
Tell us about your property. We'll research your case for free and reach out within a week.
We'll investigate your case and reach out within 5-7 business days with our findings.
Our recovery team will call you at your preferred time to review your case and answer your questions — completely free, no obligation.
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