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Port St. Lucie Distressed Properties for Sale

Port St. Lucie Distressed Properties for Sale

The listings above are distressed properties in Port St. Lucie, homes, condos and townhouses the MLS marks as foreclosures, active and pending, updated automatically. Distressed sales can be a way to buy below the price of a comparable resale, but they come with their own rules, timelines and risks.

Below: the kinds of distressed sales you will see, how each one works, how to tell a real bargain from a money pit, and help for owners who are behind on their mortgage.

The Kinds of Distressed Sales in Port St. Lucie

Bank-owned (REO). The lender already owns the home after the foreclosure. It is listed in the MLS, you can inspect it, and you can use a mortgage. These are the listings above. For price-range searches, see Port St. Lucie foreclosures.

Short sale. The owner is selling for less than the loan balance and the lender has to approve the price. You get a normal inspection period, but the lender's approval can take weeks or months, and the lender can counter or say no.

Foreclosure auction. In St. Lucie County, court-ordered foreclosure sales are held online through the Clerk of Court. Bidders usually need cash, pay a deposit the day of the sale, and buy without an inspection. Title issues and occupants become the buyer's problem.

Pre-foreclosure. The owner has fallen behind but the case has not gone to sale yet. These homes are not usually listed, and any purchase has to be handled carefully and in writing.

Side by Side

  Bank-owned Short sale Auction
Inspection Yes Yes No
Mortgage allowed Yes Yes Usually cash
Timeline 30–45 days after acceptance Weeks to months for approval Days
Title insurance Standard Standard Buyer's risk
Condition As-is Usually as-is Unknown

Looking at a distressed property?

Send me the address. I will check the sale history, likely repairs and loan options, and tell you what to watch for before you offer.

REMAX — Treasure Coast agent and licensed mortgage loan officer, NMLS #1883073.

Is It Really a Bargain?

A distressed price only helps if the numbers still work after repairs, insurance and closing costs. Before you offer:

  • Compare to recent sales, not just to other listings. A price below the neighborhood's asking prices may still be close to what similar homes sold for.
  • Price the repairs. Roofs, air conditioning, plumbing and water damage are the common big-ticket items on vacant homes.
  • Get an insurance quote early. In Florida an old roof or outdated electrical panel can make a home hard to insure, and without insurance there is no loan.
  • Check liens and HOA balances. Some municipal liens, unpaid taxes and association dues can follow the property. A title search and, for HOA or condo homes, an estoppel letter answer this.
  • Plan for competition. Well-priced bank-owned homes in Port St. Lucie often draw several offers.

Financing a Distressed Property

Conventional loans work well on homes in livable condition. FHA and VA loans have property standards the home has to meet at closing, and banks rarely make repairs. For a house that needs work, a renovation loan such as FHA 203(k) or Fannie Mae HomeStyle can cover the purchase and repairs in one loan. As a licensed mortgage loan officer, I can tell you which program fits a specific property before you make an offer.

If You Own a Home and Are Behind on Payments

If you are behind on your mortgage in Port St. Lucie, you may have more options than you think. Depending on your situation, lenders may consider a repayment plan, a loan modification, a short sale, or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Talk with your lender early, and consider speaking with a HUD-approved housing counselor or a real estate attorney about your rights.

If selling is the best route, I can help you understand what your home would sell for and whether a traditional sale or a short sale makes more sense. These conversations are confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a distressed property?

A home being sold because the owner or lender is under financial pressure, such as a bank-owned foreclosure, a short sale or a foreclosure auction.

What is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale?

In a foreclosure the lender has taken the home back and sells it. In a short sale the owner still owns it and the lender must approve a price below the loan balance.

Can I get a mortgage on a distressed property?

Yes for bank-owned homes and short sales, if the home meets the loan program’s standards. Auctions usually require cash.

Are distressed homes always cheaper?

Not always. Compare the price with recent sales and add repairs, insurance and closing costs before deciding.

Where are foreclosure auctions held in St. Lucie County?

Online, through the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court.

I am behind on my mortgage. What should I do?

Contact your lender early and consider a HUD-approved housing counselor or an attorney. Options can include a repayment plan, modification, short sale or deed in lieu.

Port St. Lucie Distressed Properties for Sale — the current listings appear at the top of this page and update automatically from the MLS.