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Bay County sells foreclosed property online through RealForeclose. Covering Panama City, Lynn Haven, Panama City Beach. Everything below comes from the clerk's own page, read on 2026-09-19.

Auction site
RealForeclose
Sale days
Monday to Friday, except legal holidays
Sale time
11:00 am Central
Deposit
5% of your successful final bid, by wire, electronic check, or in person by cash or cashier's check
Balance
The balance and service charge are due by 11:00 am the next business day, or the sale is declared void

Bay County foreclosure auction fees

  • Court registry under Fla. Stat. 28.24(10): 3% of the first $500, then 1.5% of the balance
  • Documentary stamps under Fla. Stat. 201.02: $0.70 per $100

How a Bay County foreclosure sale runs

  1. Step 1

    The lender sues and records a lis pendens

    Florida is a judicial foreclosure state, so every foreclosure is a lawsuit in circuit court. The lis pendens is the public notice that the case exists. This is where we start tracking a property.

  2. Step 2

    The judge signs a final judgment

    The final judgment states what is owed and orders the clerk to sell the property. The statute calls for a sale 20 to 35 days out, though courts often set it later.

  3. Step 3

    The clerk publishes the notice of sale

    The sale is advertised for two weeks running. Most Florida clerks then run the auction online through their county RealForeclose site; a handful of smaller counties still sell at the courthouse.

  4. Step 4

    Auction day

    Bidding starts at the judgment amount and closes fast. You bid with your own cash: the winner posts a 5% deposit at the sale and pays the balance on the clerk's deadline, in most counties by the next business day.

  5. Step 5

    Certificate of sale, then ten quiet days

    The clerk files a certificate of sale, which ends the owner's right of redemption. Anyone with standing then has ten days to object to the sale.

  6. Step 6

    Certificate of title, then possession

    With no objection, the clerk issues the certificate of title and the property is yours, as is. If someone still lives there, you ask the court for a writ of possession.

Bay County auction questions

Where are Bay County foreclosure auctions held?
Bay County runs its foreclosure sales online through RealForeclose, at https://bay.realforeclose.com. Monday to Friday, except legal holidays, 11:00 am Central.
What deposit is required at a Bay County foreclosure sale?
5% of your successful final bid, by wire, electronic check, or in person by cash or cashier's check.
When is the balance due after winning a Bay County foreclosure auction?
The balance and service charge are due by 11:00 am the next business day, or the sale is declared void.

Before you bid in Bay

Other Florida counties

Source: Bay County Clerk. Clerks change deadlines and fees. Confirm before you bid.