A notice recorded in the county's official records that a lawsuit affecting the property has been filed. In Florida it marks the public start of a foreclosure.
Why it matters to a bidder
For a buyer it is the earliest public signal that a property is heading toward a sale, often months ahead. The date it was recorded also matters later: Florida presumes the owner of record on that date is the one entitled to any surplus from the sale.
How Florida Foreclosure Auctions Work, Step by Step