Clearing Title After a Florida Tax Deed
By Israel Chen ·
Short answer: A Florida tax deed doesn't guarantee clear, marketable title, so title insurers may not cover a resale straight away. Buyers usually fix that with a quiet title action through a lawyer, or a title certification from a specialist firm.
Collier's clerk says it directly: the tax deed does not guarantee clear and marketable title. Plan the cost of fixing that before you bid, not after you win.
Two usual routes
- Quiet title action. A lawsuit in circuit court that settles who owns the property. It needs a lawyer and time.
- Title certification. Florida firms such as Clear to Sell and Tax Deed Closings offer research-based programs meant to let a tax deed property be insured and sold without a quiet title suit. Ask each firm what its current process, price and underwriter terms are.
What survives a tax deed
Most interests end with the deed, but not all: section 197.552 keeps alive a lien of record held by a municipal or county government unit in some cases. Check for code enforcement and similar liens.
Put your title cost into the bid calculator so your maximum bid already covers it. I'm a law student and not a lawyer, so ask a Florida attorney about your parcel.
Questions
Does a Florida tax deed give clear title?
Not by itself. Clerks warn that it doesn't guarantee clear and marketable title, and buyers often use a quiet title action or a title certification before reselling.
Sources
- Collier County Clerk: tax deed sales
- Franklin County Clerk: tax deeds (quoting s. 197.552)
- Clear to Sell company profile
- Tax Deed Closings vendor listing
Israel Chen buys Florida tax deeds, mostly in Volusia County. MBA, second-year law student (not a lawyer) and computer scientist. About me.
Next: the Florida guide, the Volusia guide, the glossary, or work with me. Not legal, tax or investment advice.