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SurplusTrace

Foreclosure and tax sale surplus recovery

Your home was sold at auction. The money left over may still be yours.

When a foreclosure or tax sale brings in more than what was owed, the difference is held for the former owner. We find out if any is waiting in your name and handle the claim from start to finish.

Check for funds, freeHow surplus funds work
  • No upfront cost
  • Fee agreed in writing first
  • You can always claim on your own
Two people reviewing a stack of sale records together

How a surplus happens

Winning bid at auction
$214,000
Debt and sale costs
-$151,300
Held for the former owner
$62,700

Example figures for illustration.

What are surplus funds?

Losing a home does not always mean losing all of its value.

At a foreclosure auction or tax sale, bidders can pay far more than the amount owed. That extra money is called surplus funds, excess proceeds or overage. The lender or the county keeps only what it was owed.

The rest is held by the court or the county until the rightful owner files a claim and proves who they are.

  • The money belongs to the former owner

    Once the debt, taxes and sale costs are paid, what remains is set aside for the owner of record. Heirs and some lienholders can also have a claim.

  • Many people are never told

    Notices often go to the address of the home that was sold. If you have moved, the letter may never reach you, and the funds sit unclaimed.

  • Claims usually have a deadline

    Counties and courts set their own claim periods. Money left unclaimed too long can be transferred to the county or the state.

How it works

Four steps from a question to a check in your hands.

Start with step one
  1. 01

    Request a free check

    Tell us the property address and roughly when it was sold. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.

  2. 02

    We search the records

    We review the sale, court and county records to see whether money was left over, how much, and who can claim it.

  3. 03

    You decide

    If there are funds, we walk you through what we found and our fee in a written agreement. Nothing moves forward unless you sign.

  4. 04

    We file and follow through

    We prepare the paperwork, file the claim and stay on it with the county or court until the money is released to you.

Fees

You pay nothing unless you get paid.

Our fee is a percentage of the money actually recovered for you, agreed in writing before any work starts. Where a state limits what recovery services may charge, we follow that limit.

  • No upfront fees, ever
  • Your fee is shown in writing before you sign
  • You pay only after the money reaches you
  • If nothing is recovered, you owe nothing

You can always file on your own

Anyone owed surplus funds can contact the clerk of court or county office that held the sale and file a claim without paying a fee. We think you should know that before you choose us.

People come to us because the process can involve court motions, proof of ownership, other liens on the property, and heirs to account for. We handle all of it, so you do not have to.

A hand holding a house key in front of a blue front door

Families and heirs

Was the home of a parent or relative sold after they passed away?

When the owner has died, the surplus does not simply disappear. Their estate or their heirs may be entitled to it, sometimes years after the sale.

We help families work out who can claim, gather the documents a court usually asks for, and keep everyone informed along the way.

Ask about a family property

Questions

Straight answers before you decide anything.

Still unsure? Send a free check request with your question in the message and we will answer it personally.

How do I know if I have surplus funds?

If your property was sold at a foreclosure auction or a tax sale, there may be money left over. The only way to know for sure is to check the sale and court records, which is exactly what our free check does.

How much does it cost?

Nothing upfront. Our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered, written into the agreement you sign before we start. If we recover nothing, you pay nothing.

How do I pay the fee?

Once the county or court releases your funds, we email you a secure payment link for the fee in your agreement. Payment is handled by Stripe, so we never see your card or bank details.

How long does it take to get the money?

It depends on the county and the court. Some claims are approved in a few weeks, while others need a court hearing and take several months. We keep you updated at every step.

The owner passed away. Can the family still claim?

Often, yes. The estate or the heirs may be entitled to the surplus. We help you work out who can claim and which documents the court will expect to see.

Can I claim the money myself?

Yes. You can contact the clerk of court or the county office that held the sale and ask how to file. We help people who would rather have someone handle the research, paperwork and follow up.

How do I avoid surplus funds scams?

Be careful with anyone who asks for money before funds are recovered, will not put the fee in writing, or pushes you to sign quickly. A legitimate service explains what it found and gives you time to decide.

What do I need to get started?

Only the property address and a way to reach you. If you know the county, the case number or the date of the sale, include it, but it is not required.

Find out if money from your sale is still waiting for you.

The check is free, it takes two minutes, and there is no obligation.

Request a free check