Port St. Joe sits on a protected bay along the Florida Panhandle and anchors the coastal side of Gulf County. It is known for St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Cape San Blas, and some of the least crowded Gulf beaches in Florida. The community is a mix of permanent residents -- many of whom work in fishing, tourism, and local services -- and second-home and vacation property owners who make up a significant share of the local real estate market.
Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, just south of Port St. Joe, as a Category 5 storm on October 10, 2018. Gulf County suffered severe damage, and the financial effects on homeowners have been long-lasting. If you are behind on your mortgage in Port St. Joe or anywhere in Gulf County, this guide explains your options, the courthouse that handles foreclosure cases, and the free resources available to you.
Gulf County Foreclosure Court: The 14th Judicial Circuit
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. Your lender cannot foreclose without filing a civil lawsuit, serving you with a summons, and obtaining a final judgment from a circuit court judge. Gulf County cases are filed at the Gulf County Courthouse, 1000 Cecil G Costin Sr Blvd, Port St. Joe, FL 32456, through the 14th Judicial Circuit Court. The 14th Circuit covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.
For a complete overview of the Florida foreclosure process, see our Florida foreclosure timeline guide. If you have received a summons, see how many days you have to respond to a Florida foreclosure summons.
Hurricane Michael Hardship and Loan Modification
Hurricane Michael's Category 5 landfall in October 2018 devastated the Port St. Joe area. Many homeowners have been dealing with the ongoing financial effects for years -- repair costs, insurance disputes, rising insurance premiums, or reduced property values in the aftermath of a major storm. If your current mortgage difficulty traces to Hurricane Michael, that hardship can be documented and submitted as the basis for a loan modification application.
For general loan modification information, see our Florida loan modification guide. For forbearance options if you need a temporary payment pause, see our guide to forbearance exit options in Florida.
Vacation and Second-Home Properties in Port St. Joe
A significant portion of Port St. Joe real estate consists of vacation homes and second properties. Loss mitigation options for non-primary residences differ from those available to homeowners whose main home is at risk. Many modification programs are restricted to primary residences. However, vacation and investment properties still have options:
- Short sale with deficiency waiver under Florida Statute §702.06 -- keeps you from owing the remaining balance after the sale
- Deed in lieu of foreclosure -- transfer the property to the lender directly, negotiating a deficiency waiver as part of the agreement
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy cram-down for non-primary residences -- reduces the secured principal to market value and discharges the remaining underwater balance; see our guide on Chapter 13 cram-down on investment property in Florida
For the full Florida short sale process, see our Florida short sale guide. For deficiency judgment information, see our Florida deficiency judgment guide.
Selling Before Foreclosure in Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas remain attractive to buyers despite the history of hurricane damage. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, the uncrowded beaches, and proximity to Apalachicola Bay all support buyer interest. If your home is worth more than you owe, a conventional pre-foreclosure sale is usually the cleanest outcome.
For information on the pre-foreclosure sale process in Florida, see selling before the foreclosure sale in Florida. For guidance on listing a home with an active lis pendens, see selling a house with a lis pendens in Florida.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy as a Foreclosure Stop
For a primary residence in Port St. Joe, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing immediately stops a foreclosure through the automatic stay and allows you to repay past-due amounts over three to five years. For Gulf County homeowners, cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida (Tallahassee or Pensacola division). See our guide on Chapter 13 bankruptcy to stop foreclosure in Florida.
Free Resources for Gulf County Homeowners
Several organizations provide free assistance to qualifying Gulf County homeowners:
- Three Rivers Legal Services -- serves Florida Panhandle counties including Gulf County; free civil legal assistance for qualifying homeowners
- HUD-approved housing counselors -- free statewide mortgage counseling by phone; see our guide to HUD-approved foreclosure counseling in Florida
- Florida Housing HAF Program -- (833) 987-8997 -- Homeowner Assistance Fund may provide direct financial assistance to qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure
Contact Barrett Henry
Barrett Henry is a REALTOR and Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of real estate experience. His direct service area covers the greater Tampa Bay region. For Port St. Joe and Gulf County homeowners, he provides free consultations and connects you with knowledgeable referral partners serving the Florida Panhandle coast.
Call (813) 761-0133 for a free consultation with no obligation. Under the MARS Rule (12 C.F.R. §1015), no upfront fees are ever charged for short sale counseling or assistance.
After a foreclosure or short sale closes, see our guide on buying a home after foreclosure in Florida for information on waiting periods and rebuilding your credit.
