PASCO COUNTY, FL -- It's hard to find a neighborhood in Pasco County without a foreclosure. For those who can afford them, good deals are on every street.
But for those at the courthouse, it's overwhelming.
"Very overwhelming, and especially with the economic crisis that we've had, we've had to cut 80 positions, so we are looking for any efficiencies we can find so we can deal with the work load," said Paula O'Neil, Pasco County Clerk of the Court.
The recent increase in Pasco County foreclosures is staggering. Back in 2006 there were about 2,100. So far this year, 7,780 foreclosures.
One solution to the backlog, a change in the law that allows foreclosure auctions online. Enter Craig McIntyre and his company,
www.realauction.com. Think of it like eBay, but with houses.
"They no longer have to come down to the court house and look through official court records," said McIntyre.
You can see all the particulars of each property, then put down a 5% deposit, plug in your maximum bid, and watch the auction go.
Monday marked the first online auction with banks sweeping up all the properties. But officials would like to see the general public get in the mix too.
"We would like them sold to people who want to move in and improve the neighborhoods," said O'Neil.
Officials say they hope to move 25 properties a day with auctions five days a week. The system is already in place in other Florida counties including Sarasota and Manatee.
You can see visit the foreclosure site at
www.pasco.realforeclose.com
