Field Guides
Surplus recovery, state by state.
Everything you need to work foreclosure surplus leads and excess proceeds the right way. Every state handles surplus funds differently - the deadline, who's entitled, the fee limits, what the clerk needs. Pick a state below for the operator playbook on surplus funds and overage leads, plus a plain-English FAQ - or read how to make the first call and how ReVesta builds skip-traced, surplus-confirmed recovery leads.
Pick a state
California
CATrustee-sale surplus, the claim window, lienholder priority, and how proceeds are distributed.
Read the California guideFlorida
FLChapter 45 surplus, §717.124 unclaimed property, the assignment fee cap, and probate when the owner has passed.
Read the Florida guideGeorgia
GATax-sale excess funds (O.C.G.A. 48-4-5) and foreclosure surplus, lien priority, county excess-funds lists, and UPL limits.
Read the Georgia guideIllinois
ILSurplus after judicial sale, the motion for turnover, and how counties handle disbursement.
Read the Illinois guideNew Jersey
NJSheriff-sale surplus in the Superior Court Trust Fund, junior-lien priority, claim procedure, and fee limits.
Read the New Jersey guideOhio
OHORC 2329.44 surplus, the county sheriff sale process, and the two claim tracks for civil and tax foreclosures.
Read the Ohio guideTexas
TXTax Code §34.04 excess proceeds, the two-year deadline, the attorney fee cap, and the assignee rules.
Read the Texas guideMore states roll out by demand. Don't see yours? Tell us where you operate.
Playbooks & how it works
How to make the first call to a surplus owner
The lead is verified - now comes the part no data can do for you. A calm, honest, compliance-safe playbook for the first call.
Read the playbookHow the ReVesta system works
The full pipeline, step by step - auction watch, court records, lien math, retail pricing, skip trace, and how you get the leads.
See how it worksWhat a verified file looks like
Surplus confirmed, liens cleared, heir located, phone number attached - inspect a real one.
See a verified fileWorking surplus leads when the homeowner has passed
Half of all surplus cases involve a deceased owner - and most operators abandon them. Affidavit of heirship interviews, documents to request, the CA Probate 13100 shortcut, and when you need an attorney.
Read the playbookThe 3-step surplus deal analyzer
Estimate the surplus (sale price, else assessed value, else 70% of retail), subtract the full lien stack, and check the floor: $10K for a living owner, $30K for a deceased/estate case. The same math ReVesta runs on every file.
Run the analyzerFree guide
Not sure which state to start in?
Get the ReVesta State Selector - a one-page guide that maps judicial vs non-judicial states, typical payout timelines, and which 2-3 states give new operators the fastest path to a first fee.
Plus: the Lien Stack Cheat Sheet - the 6 types of liens that silently kill deals before you call.
These are general operator guides, not legal advice. Statute timing, fee limits and what a non-lawyer may do vary by state - verify with the county clerk before acting.
