Short answer: Yes — Clearwater homeowners and condo owners who are behind on payments, facing foreclosure, or owe more than their property is worth can usually still sell, traditionally or as a lender-approved short sale. Monica Karcz, a Florida Realtor and Senior Premier Agent with Redfin, helps Clearwater-area owners understand the real-estate side of those options.
Clearwater runs from the beaches and Sand Key across the Intracoastal to established mainland neighborhoods and Countryside. Condominiums are a large part of the market, and that shapes most short sales here.
What’s different about short sales in Clearwater?
Condo assessments and Florida’s condo safety laws
Many Clearwater and Clearwater Beach condominium buildings are three or more stories and decades old, so they fall under Florida’s milestone-inspection and structural-integrity-reserve requirements (Fla. Stat. § 553.899; § 718.112). Higher dues and special assessments have changed what buyers will pay in some buildings. Owners whose unit is now worth less than the mortgage may qualify for a short sale; the assessment, inspection status and reserve study will be part of the buyer’s and lender’s review.
Beach and barrier-island flood exposure
Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates are exposed to storm surge, and some properties were damaged in 2024. Flood-zone status, elevation, flood insurance and repair status all affect value and must be disclosed.
City of Clearwater liens and permits
Properties inside city limits can carry City of Clearwater utility balances or code-enforcement liens, while others are in unincorporated Pinellas. A title search early in the process identifies anything that must be resolved before closing.
Courts, records and sales
Clearwater is in Pinellas County (Sixth Judicial Circuit). Records are available through the Pinellas County Clerk, and foreclosure sales are held online at pinellas.realforeclose.com. See Pinellas County short sale help for more.
Attorney and title support
Monica works with The Lyons Law Group, P.A. as her short sale attorney and title partner. Legal advice comes from the firm, not from Monica, and you may choose any attorney and title company.
For general Clearwater market information, see Clearwater real estate.
Clearwater homeowner or condo owner? Ask Monica about your options in confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I short sell a Clearwater Beach condo with a pending special assessment?
Often yes, with lender approval. The assessment must be disclosed and is typically paid or negotiated at closing, and it will be reflected in buyer offers and the lender’s valuation.
Will the lender approve a short sale if my condo dropped in value because of new assessments?
A lender looks at value, hardship and finances. A drop in value alone is not enough; you will usually need a documented hardship as well. Approval is never guaranteed.
Where are Clearwater foreclosure sales held?
Clearwater is in Pinellas County, which holds foreclosure sales online at pinellas.realforeclose.com.
Keep reading
- Short Sale & Pre-Foreclosure Help in Tampa Bay
- Pinellas County short sale help
- Owe more than your home is worth?
- Florida short sale FAQ
- Clearwater real estate
Important: This page is general real-estate education, not legal, tax or credit advice. Monica Karcz is a Florida Realtor, not an attorney or accountant. Laws, lender programs and deadlines change and every situation is different — for legal questions talk with a Florida attorney, and for tax questions talk with a CPA or tax professional.
Sources
Laws and guidelines were reviewed in October 2026 and can change.
- Fla. Stat. s. 553.899 – Milestone inspections
- Fla. Stat. s. 718.112 – Condo reserves and SIRS
- Pinellas County Clerk – records
- Pinellas County online foreclosure sales
- Pinellas County Property Appraiser
Request a Confidential Short Sale Consultation
A private, no-obligation conversation about the real-estate side of your options — a traditional sale, a lender-approved short sale, or simply understanding what comes next. Prefer to talk now? Call or text (813) 728-1400.
About Monica Karcz
Monica Karcz is a Florida Realtor and Senior Premier Agent with Redfin who has helped Tampa Bay buyers and sellers since 2012. She serves homeowners across Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando and Hillsborough Counties, including Holiday, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Trinity, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Spring Hill and Wesley Chapel.
Monica assists homeowners with traditional home sales and with short-sale real-estate transactions, working alongside the homeowner’s lender, attorney and title company. She is a real-estate professional — not an attorney, accountant or financial adviser — and the information on this page is general education, not legal, tax or credit advice.
(813) 728-1400 · [email protected] · About Monica · Contact
Florida License #SL261098340 · Brokerage: Redfin Corporation, Florida License #780118
