Barrett Henry is a Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of Florida real estate experience. He helps homeowners across all 67 Florida counties understand foreclosure options and evaluate pre-foreclosure strategies. Direct service in the Tampa Bay area; referral connections statewide including Broward County.
Behind on Your Sunrise Mortgage -- What to Do Now
Sunrise is a large suburban city in western Broward County, home to Sawgrass Mills -- one of the largest outlet malls in the country -- and a diverse mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. As part of South Florida's densely populated urban corridor, Sunrise homeowners face some of the most acute housing cost pressures in the state: an insurance market in crisis, rising HOA and condo association fees, and a high cost of living that leaves little margin for financial disruption.
Florida's judicial foreclosure process means Broward County cases in the 17th Judicial Circuit typically take 12 to 18 months from filing to auction. That time is an asset -- but only if you act. The moment you realize you may miss a payment is the moment to reach out to your servicer and explore your options.
Why Sunrise Homeowners Fall Behind in 2026
- South Florida insurance crisis: Broward County homeowners face some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation. Carriers have exited the Florida market, Citizens Property Insurance coverage has tightened, and remaining private market premiums have increased sharply -- all creating escrow payment shocks for mortgage borrowers.
- Condo special assessments under SB 4-D: The Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside (2021) prompted Florida's legislature to require mandatory reserve funding studies and contributions for condominium buildings over 30 years old (SB 4-D, effective 2023). Many Sunrise condo associations have levied large special assessments to comply, adding thousands of dollars in unexpected costs for condo owners.
- Fixed-income retiree stress: A significant portion of Sunrise's population is retired or near-retirement. Fixed income that does not keep pace with South Florida's rising costs of living creates growing financial pressure over time.
- ARM resets: Buyers who financed during the 2020 to 2022 appreciation surge using adjustable-rate mortgages are experiencing payment increases as initial fixed periods expire.
- Employment disruption: Job changes, healthcare costs, and the high cost of South Florida living have left many households without a financial cushion when income drops.
Your Options When Behind on a Sunrise Mortgage
Keeping Your Home
- Loan modification: Request a permanent restructuring of your loan -- lower interest rate, extended term, or principal deferral -- to make your payment sustainable long term.
- Forbearance: Request a temporary pause or reduction in payments while resolving a hardship. CFPB rules require your servicer to consider forbearance for delinquent borrowers.
- Reinstatement: Pay the total overdue amount in a lump sum to bring the loan immediately current. This stops any foreclosure process and restores original loan terms.
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Reorganize mortgage arrears into a 3 to 5 year court-supervised repayment plan. The automatic stay halts all foreclosure activity the moment you file.
Exiting the Property
- Sell before foreclosure: If your Sunrise home has equity, selling at market value before the auction pays off the mortgage in full and protects your credit.
- Short sale: If you owe more than the property is worth, a short sale with lender approval resolves the debt for less than the full balance. Most approvals include a written deficiency waiver.
- Deed in lieu of foreclosure: Voluntarily transfer the property to your lender in exchange for full release of the mortgage obligation, often with relocation assistance.
The Broward County Foreclosure Process
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. Sunrise foreclosure cases are filed at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, in the 17th Judicial Circuit. The full foreclosure timeline runs 12 to 18 months for uncontested cases. At every stage before the auction closes, you can pursue loss mitigation, sell the property, mount a foreclosure defense, or file for bankruptcy protection.
Surplus Funds at Broward County Foreclosure Auctions
If your Sunrise home sells at the Broward County foreclosure auction for more than the total judgment amount, the excess belongs to you under Florida Statute 45.032. File your claim with the Broward County Clerk of Court at browardclerk.org within 60 days of the disbursement order.
Local Resources for Sunrise Homeowners
- Broward County Courthouse: 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (17th Judicial Circuit). Check case status at browardclerk.org.
- Legal Aid Service of Broward County: (954) 765-8950. Free legal assistance for qualifying homeowners; bilingual English/Spanish staff available.
- HUD-Approved Housing Counseling: (800) 569-4287. Free, independent counseling on all options when behind on your mortgage.
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 342-8011. Referrals to licensed Florida attorneys at a reduced initial consultation fee.
Related Guides for Broward County and South Florida Homeowners
- Behind on mortgage in Fort Lauderdale: what to do
- Behind on mortgage in Hollywood: what to do
- Behind on mortgage in Pompano Beach: what to do
- Behind on mortgage in Coral Springs: what to do
- Behind on mortgage in Miramar: what to do
- How the Florida foreclosure process works
- Florida foreclosure timeline explained
- 8 proven ways to stop foreclosure in Florida
- Sell your home before the foreclosure auction
- Short sale in Florida: how it works
- Florida loan modification guide
- Deficiency judgments in Florida
- Bankruptcy to stop foreclosure in Florida
- Free HUD housing counseling in Florida
MARS Rule Disclosure: Barrett Henry is a licensed real estate professional, not an attorney. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. You are not required to use a third-party representative to contact your mortgage servicer.
Behind on your Sunrise mortgage? Contact Barrett Henry today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your situation and help you understand every option available under Florida law.
