Brevard County · Selling
A health or money hardship in Brevard County
A calm plan, a free HUD housing counselor if money is tight, and no pressure.
Free · Agents who know Brevard County · Every step in one app
If you are thinking about selling because of an illness, a job loss, a medical bill or money that just will not stretch, you are carrying a lot right now. It can feel like everything is happening to you at once, and like you have to decide fast. Many people in your place feel ashamed or alone. You are not, and needing help is not a failure.
You also have more time and more choices than it may feel like. Free, trusted help exists, and the law gives homeowners real protections. Selling may be the right answer, or there may be another way to keep your home. Either way, the first step is to understand your options before anyone pressures you.
Below is where to get free help, how the timeline really works if you are behind on payments, how to spot scams, and how to sell on your terms if that is what you choose.
What’s different for you
- Talk to someone free first. A HUD housing counselor helps if money is tight.
- Set a calm plan. Every step in order, at your pace.
- Know what you’d keep. Clear numbers before you decide.
When you start in CloseHive from this page, your plan already includes these steps, along with the usual ones for selling in Brevard County. You always see what to do next, and your agent handles the how.
What to know
Free counseling comes first
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies give foreclosure prevention counseling free of charge. A counselor can review your money, explain offers from your mortgage company and help you build a plan. You can find one with the CFPB's online tool or by calling (855) 411-2372, or the HOPE Hotline at (888) 995-4673, open 24 hours a day.
Call your mortgage company early
The CFPB advises calling your mortgage servicer, the company that collects your payment, as soon as you know you cannot make a payment. The number is on your monthly statement. Servicers can discuss options such as forbearance (a pause or reduction for a time) and repayment plans.
There is a 120-day rule
Under federal rules, a servicer generally cannot make the first notice or filing for foreclosure until you are more than 120 days behind. A complete application for help, sent early enough, can also stop foreclosure while you are being reviewed. This time is meant for you to explore options, not to wait it out.
Watch for foreclosure rescue scams
The Florida Attorney General warns that some companies charge large fees up front for help you can get free. Do not sign any paper that promises to stop foreclosure right away without first talking to a professional; it may be a trick to get your deed. You can report a scam at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
Selling on your terms
If you decide to sell, a regular listing usually brings the most buyers and lets you compare offers. What you keep is the price minus your mortgage payoff and costs, including Florida's deed tax of 70 cents per $100 of the price. Ask for a written estimate of your net amount before you choose.
If you owe more than the home is worth
Selling for less than you owe needs your lender's approval and takes time. A housing counselor can explain how that works and how it compares to other options before you decide.
Tax rules can help after a health or money hardship
If you sell your main home, you may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 if married filing jointly. If you have not owned and lived there 2 of the last 5 years, IRS Publication 523 explains a partial exclusion for some health-related moves and unforeseeable events, including becoming eligible for unemployment. A CPA or the IRS can confirm what applies.
Your options
What to gather
- Your most recent mortgage statement and any letters from your servicer
- A simple list of monthly income and bills
- Any letters about your hardship: medical, job loss or benefits
- Your HOA or condo statements, if you have them
- Your property tax and insurance bills
- A note of every call with your servicer: date, name and what was said
- A free appointment with a HUD-approved housing counselor
- A written estimate of what you would keep if you sold
Mistakes to avoid
- Not opening the mail. Letters from your servicer often have deadlines. Open them, and bring them to your housing counselor.
- Paying for help that is free. Housing counseling for foreclosure is free from HUD-approved agencies. Do not pay a company up front to talk to your lender for you.
- Signing over your deed to a stranger. The Florida Attorney General warns this may be a trick to take your home. Talk to a counselor or an attorney first.
- Deciding in a panic. Ask for a few days to compare any offer. A fair buyer will give you time to think.
Brevard County in numbers
- The typical home in Brevard County is worth about $339,600, and 77% of homes are lived in by their owners.
- Typical rent here is about $1,556 a month, including utilities.
Free help
Questions people ask
What if I can’t keep up with payments?
Talk to a free HUD housing counselor before deciding; they explain every option.
What should I do first if I can't pay my mortgage?
Call your mortgage servicer as soon as you know, and talk to a free HUD-approved housing counselor. They can explain your options before you decide anything.
Is housing counseling really free?
HUD-approved agencies give foreclosure prevention counseling free of charge. You can find one through the CFPB's tool or by calling (855) 411-2372.
How long before a foreclosure starts?
Under federal rules, a servicer generally cannot make the first foreclosure notice or filing until you are more than 120 days behind. That time is for exploring options with your servicer and a counselor.
Can I sell my house if I'm behind on payments?
Often yes. The sale pays off the loan at closing, including what is past due, if the price is high enough. If you owe more than the home is worth, your lender must approve the sale.
How do I spot a foreclosure rescue scam?
Warning signs include large up-front fees and pressure to sign papers right away, especially anything that transfers your deed. Report scams to the Florida Attorney General at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM.
Will I owe taxes if I sell because of my health?
Many people owe nothing on the gain from their main home. If you don't meet the usual 2-year tests, IRS Publication 523 explains a partial exclusion for some health-related moves. Check with a CPA or the IRS.
Should I take a cash offer?
It can make sense when speed or repairs matter most. Compare it with what you would keep from a regular sale, in dollars, before you decide.