Questions, answered plainly.

When a property is sold at a mortgage foreclosure, tax sale or HOA sale, the sale pays off what was owed: the loan or taxes, interest and the costs of the sale. If the winning bid was higher than that total, the difference is surplus, sometimes called excess proceeds or overbid. By law it belongs to the people who owned the property, or to their heirs, or to the company that owned it. Lenders and lienholders may claim part of it first.

Usually, yes. Many states give owners a limited window to claim, sometimes a year or less, after which the money may go to the state or the county. That's a reason to check soon, not a reason to rush a decision.

Homes, land and commercial property sold at foreclosure, tax or HOA sales, plus cars, trucks, boats, personal watercraft, RVs and campers sold after a repossession or a tow, marina or storage lien. See what we recover for how each one works.

It depends on how far the sale price went above what was owed. Surpluses range from a few hundred dollars to six figures on homes with a lot of equity. We tell you the real figure from the records before you sign anything.

Nothing up front, ever. Our fee is a percentage of the money recovered, written into a plain agreement you sign before we start. If nothing is recovered, you owe nothing. Some states cap fees for this kind of work, and we follow those limits.

No. Despite our name, Equity Recovery Advisors is not a law firm or a financial advisor, and doesn't give legal or financial advice. We do the research, document gathering and claim paperwork. When a claim needs a court filing, a licensed partner attorney files it, and you'll know who they are before anything is filed.

Sale results and court records are public. We review them for sales that brought in more than was owed, then use public records to find the people the money belongs to. We don't buy or sell personal data.

To start, just your name, the property and a way to reach you. If you decide to work with us, the claim itself usually needs a photo ID, proof of your connection to the property and, for estates or companies, papers showing who can sign. We collect those through a secure portal, never through this website.

Usually not. We handle the paperwork, and when a judge has to approve a claim, a partner attorney handles the filing and any hearing. Some claims need a notarized signature or a sworn statement from you, and we walk you through it.

Yes. You don't have to hire anyone: you can contact the court clerk, tax office or trustee holding the funds and file a claim on your own. It usually means finding the right office, getting the correct forms, proving ownership and sometimes going before a judge. We handle all of that for you, and you pay nothing unless the money is recovered.

It's a fair question, and you should ask it of anyone who contacts you. We never ask for money up front, we never ask for your bank login, and we tell you exactly where the money is held so you can check it yourself. You can always call that office directly to confirm the funds exist before you sign anything.

No. We only work after a sale is over, whether it's a foreclosure, tax sale or repossession, on money left over from it. We can't stop or reverse a sale, and we don't offer help with loans, debt or credit. If your sale hasn't happened yet, speak with a housing counselor or an attorney.

No. There's never an upfront fee, and we'll never ask for your online banking password or for you to sign over your property. If anyone claiming to be us asks for either, don't send it, and contact us.

Often, yes. Surplus usually passes to the owner's estate or heirs. These claims need more paperwork, such as a death certificate and proof of who the heirs are, and sometimes a short court step to name someone who can sign. We help organize that, and a partner attorney handles any court filing.

Yes, a little. A company's claim must be signed by someone with authority to act for it, and in most states a company has to go through a licensed attorney when a court filing is needed. If the company has been dissolved, the former owners or members may still have rights to the money. We sort out who can sign and bring in a partner attorney where it's required.

It depends on the state and on whether a judge has to approve the claim. Simple claims with a clerk or tax office can take a few weeks to a few months after filing. Claims that need a court hearing, or that involve an estate, usually take longer. We'll give you a realistic estimate once we've seen the file.

Second mortgages, HOAs, tax liens and judgment creditors may be entitled to be paid from the surplus first. We find out who else has a claim and what's likely to be left for you before you sign.

Same idea, different rules. After a repossession, the lender owes you any surplus under the Uniform Commercial Code, and tow, marina and storage lien sales follow state lien laws. See What we recover for how each one works.