Barrett Henry is a Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of Florida real estate experience. He provides direct service to Tampa Bay homeowners and referral connections throughout all 67 Florida counties, including Broward County.
Miramar is one of Broward County's largest and most diverse cities, home to a large Caribbean-American community, substantial HOA neighborhoods, and homeowners spanning a wide range of income levels and backgrounds. When financial hardship hits, Miramar homeowners need clear guidance in plain language -- and in some cases, bilingual resources. This guide covers your options and how to access help.
Your First Steps When You Miss a Payment in Miramar
Missing one payment is not a foreclosure. Florida requires judicial foreclosure, meaning your lender must file a lawsuit in Broward County's 17th Judicial Circuit Court and get a court judgment before your home can be sold. That process takes months and sometimes years, giving you time to pursue a solution.
Contact your servicer as soon as you know you will miss a payment. Federal CFPB rules require servicers to discuss loss mitigation with you within 36 days of delinquency. Learn more about the Florida foreclosure process and the foreclosure timeline so you know exactly where you stand.
Loss Mitigation Options for Miramar Homeowners
Forbearance
A forbearance temporarily pauses or reduces your payments while you get back on your feet. Missed amounts must be resolved later through a lump sum, repayment plan, or modification. Compare your options with our guide on forbearance vs loan modification in Florida.
Loan Modification
A loan modification permanently changes your loan terms -- adjusting your rate, extending your term, or capitalizing arrears -- to make the payment affordable long-term. Our Florida loan modification guide walks through the application process.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement brings your loan current by paying all past-due principal, interest, fees, and costs in a single lump sum. If you can access funds from savings, family, or other assets, this is the fastest way to stop the foreclosure process. Learn more about mortgage reinstatement in Florida.
Selling Before Foreclosure
If you have equity in your Miramar home, a pre-foreclosure sale lets you control the process -- pricing, timing, and who buys your home -- rather than waiting for a court-ordered auction. You pay off the mortgage, protect your credit, and keep any remaining equity.
Short Sale
If you owe more than your Miramar home is worth, a short sale with lender approval allows the sale to close even when the price falls short of the balance. Most lenders include a deficiency waiver. Barrett Henry handles short sales throughout Broward County and all 67 Florida counties.
Deed in Lieu
A deed in lieu of foreclosure transfers your title directly to the lender in exchange for release from the mortgage. It avoids the court process but still impacts your credit.
Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts foreclosure proceedings, then allows you to reorganize arrears into a 3 to 5 year repayment plan. This is a significant decision requiring a bankruptcy attorney. Read our guide on using bankruptcy to stop foreclosure in Florida.
Broward County Foreclosure Court
All Miramar foreclosure cases are filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court at:
- Broward County Courthouse
- 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- BrowardClerk.com -- check your case status and hearing dates
A lis pendens on your property is a public signal that foreclosure has been initiated. Learn about what lis pendens means for Florida homeowners.
Miramar-Specific Hardship Factors
Community Diversity and Bilingual Resources
Miramar has a large Haitian-American and Hispanic population. HUD-approved housing counselors and Legal Aid Service of Broward County offer services in Spanish and Haitian Creole. When contacting any service provider, ask specifically about bilingual counselors or attorneys to ensure you fully understand your options and obligations.
HOA Community Obligations
Many Miramar neighborhoods are HOA-governed with mandatory fees and rules. HOAs have independent foreclosure authority under Florida law for unpaid assessments. If you are behind on both your mortgage and HOA fees, address both together. A HUD counselor can help you negotiate with both your servicer and your HOA to prevent parallel foreclosure actions.
Insurance and Escrow Increases
South Florida insurance costs have increased dramatically. Miramar homeowners have seen escrow accounts go into shortfall, causing servicers to raise monthly payments significantly. Document these increases carefully when applying for loss mitigation programs.
First-Time Homebuyer Challenges
Miramar has a high proportion of first-time homebuyers who stretched to purchase during the 2020-2022 market surge. Rising rates, insurance costs, and HOA fees have created payment pressure that some first-time owners were not positioned to absorb. If this describes your situation, you have options -- the earlier you act, the more of them remain available.
Free Resources for Miramar Homeowners
- Legal Aid Service of Broward County -- (954) 765-8950. Free civil legal assistance for qualifying low-income homeowners in Broward County. Spanish and Creole services available.
- HUD-Approved Housing Counselors -- (800) 569-4287 or hud.gov/counseling. Free statewide foreclosure prevention counseling with multilingual staff.
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service -- (800) 342-8011. Connect with a licensed Florida attorney for a low-cost initial consultation.
- BrowardClerk.com -- Track your foreclosure case status for Broward County properties.
- Barrett Henry, REALTOR at REMAX Collective -- (813) 761-0133. Free real estate consultation for Miramar and all Broward County homeowners.
For a complete directory, visit our free Florida foreclosure resources page.
Related Guides for Miramar Homeowners
- How the Florida Foreclosure Process Works
- Florida Foreclosure Timeline: What to Expect
- 8 Ways to Stop Foreclosure in Florida
- Florida Loan Modification Guide
- Forbearance vs Loan Modification in Florida
- Mortgage Reinstatement in Florida
- Sell Before Foreclosure: Protect Your Equity
- Short Sale in Florida
- Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure in Florida
- Deficiency Judgments After Florida Foreclosure
- How to Stop an HOA Foreclosure in Florida
- HOA vs Mortgage: Which to Pay First in Florida?
- Using Bankruptcy to Stop Foreclosure in Florida
- Free HUD-Approved Housing Counselors in Florida
- Foreclosure Defense in Florida
- Behind on Mortgage in Fort Lauderdale? What to Do
- Behind on Mortgage in Coral Springs? What to Do
- Free Florida Foreclosure Resources
Facing foreclosure in Miramar? Get free help today -- no cost, no obligation. Call Barrett Henry at (813) 761-0133 for a free consultation on your Broward County home.
MARS Rule Disclosure: Barrett Henry is a licensed real estate professional, not an attorney. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. You may contact your mortgage servicer directly at no cost to discuss loss mitigation. You are not required to use any third-party representative.
