How can I stop my house from being sold @ tax deed auction..
Okay, wow... Where do I even start. Originally BP started as a place to help me expand my knowledge and further my career in REI. Now, I am reaching out for help regarding my OWN home.
In 2012 - I bought my house for $60,000 cash in 32225 area in Jacksonville, FL. Being a single, and first time homeowner.. I was not aware that the initial homestead exemption that was on my property was from the previous owner and that I was supposed to re-apply after that year was over. My realtor, nor the title company informed me of any of this.. Nor was I ever informed of the procedure with paying property taxes. I guess I was just supposed to know these things, shame on public schooling for not actually teaching us these types of things that ACTUALLY matter in life. This is one of those, I-wish-I-knew-then-what-I-know-now type of situations.
Fast forward to this year.. I've gotten into wholesaling.. I am a very fast learner, I am extremely creative, & I am very good with negotiations. With that being said, I got a HUGE deal under contract within just the first few weeks of starting my journey. However, because of probate, the deal will not be closing for several months. I have several other prospects, but in this off-season, nobody wants to do any business until after the holidays.. And unfortunate for me, I don't have that much time.
So, let me just get straight to the point. Upon doing some research on other properties, I searched my own house just for fun. Yeah, what I saw was not so fun. Apparently staying 2 years behind on property taxes is not okay. So 2 years ago, a bank picked up my taxes, paid them/held onto the certificate for 2 years & this year applied for a tax deed certificate. According to the Duval County Property Appraiser, my house will go up for auction as soon as January. I've gotten the run around as to an exact date. I've been told that I have to call in January to find out the date, but that it is probably going to auction in early January. And because I never filed for homestead exemption, EVEN THOUGH this is the ONLY property that I own and I have clearly lived here the whole time, they say that by law they do not have to contact the home owner. Had it been homesteaded, they would have contacted me 2 years ago when it first happened. & now the only way to stop the process is to pay the full amount of the certificate which is $4,200.
So, here is where I need help/advice..
Another thing public school did not teach me is the importance of credit..... So, I totally screwed my credit up before I even turned 20.. And so here I am at 28, feeling the repercussion. I have tried applying for loan after loan.. everyone is turning me down because of my credit score. My house is FREE AND CLEAR and the property value has nearly doubled so I can't understand why a credit union/bank/loan company would not want to give me a loan with my house as collateral.. but, that's not my field so, whatever!
Now, I am considering trying for a hard money loan. I planned on renovating and selling my house in a few more years, but because of the circumstances, I am considering just doing it now so I do not lose my house over $4,200!!!
If ANYONE can offer ANY advice... or refer anyone or ANYTHING. Please, no negative comments. I totally understand it is my responsibility & that I got myself in this situation.. I get that & don't need anyone bashing me.. Please.. I am a mother of 3, I worked very hard to get where I am now, unfortunately I just was not educated enough as a single, first time homeowner.
Thanks in advanced...