Skip to main content
Home Preservation Trust -
Home Preservation Trust -
Nonprofit organization

  • A Second Chance for Homes -
    ​And the People Around Them

    Turning foreclosures into fresh starts for families, lenders, and communities.

The Problem at a Glance

322,103 U.S. properties faced foreclosure in 2024

That’s 1 new case every 98 seconds

Foreclosed homes sell at a 26–35% discount

$34 billion in equity lost last year

Our Mission

“Turn every distressed property into a fresh start — protecting the long-term value of people’s most important assets.”

We protect what matters most: the value of people’s homes, dignity, and financial future. Today’s foreclosure process is often murky and exclusive. We shine a light on the system so rightful owners, new buyers, and communities can reclaim equity and fairness.

The System is Rigged—We’re Changing That

Outdated foreclosure systems often block everyday buyers, favor insiders, and hide opportunities from the public. What should be fair, open sales are often anything but.

  • Homeowners lose equity they could have used.
  • Banks recover far less than market value.
  • Taxpayers miss out on millions in property tax.
  • Communities are left with vacant, blighted homes.

We’re here to change that—bringing transparency, competition, and dignity back into the process.

We Stand on Firm Legal Ground

Florida Sunshine Law – Chapter 119, F.S.

“All state, county, and municipal records shall at all times be open for a personal inspection by any person.” This includes foreclosure case dockets, judgments, sale notices, and title records.

Read the law

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – 5 U.S.C. § 552

Gives every person the right to access and republish government-held records at the federal level.
FOIA Overview

First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Truthfully publishing and sharing publicly available information is protected speech. (Edenfield v. Fane, 507 U.S. 761, 1993)

Common-Law Right of Access to Judicial Records

At Home Preservation Trust, we rely on the long-established legal principle that court records—once filed and not sealed—belong to the public. This right is rooted in centuries of U.S. common law and reinforced by the Supreme Court.
"Courts of this country recognize a general right to inspect and copy public records and documents, including judicial records and documents."
— Nixon v. Warner Communications, 435 U.S. 589 (1978)

What This Means

The Common-Law Right of Access gives every person—not just lawyers or parties to a case—the right to view and copy judicial records, including those related to foreclosure proceedings. This includes:
  • Foreclosure judgments and sale confirmations
  • Court orders, dockets, and auction notices
  • Case details such as amounts owed, sale terms, and party names
  • Clerk-issued certificates of sale or title
As long as these records are not sealed by a court order, they are legally considered public property—and may be republished by anyone, including nonprofit organizations like ours.

Why It Matters

This doctrine ensures that foreclosure activity—often buried in legal systems—is brought to light for the public’s benefit. We use this right to:
  • Promote transparency in the foreclosure process
  • Inform buyers, homeowners, lenders, and communities
  • Ensure equal access to information that affects local housing markets

A Transparent System Benefits Everyone

The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear: judicial records are presumed open. Only in rare cases—such as protecting minors or confidential trade secrets—can access be limited.
At Home Preservation Trust, we believe that access to public foreclosure records should not be limited to insiders. That’s why we make them visible, understandable, and actionable for everyone.
If a foreclosure document has been filed and isn’t sealed, it is public—and publishing it is both lawful and essential.

Restoring Transparency and Fairness

Listings visible to everyone

Fair, real-time bidding

True property value for sellers

Community protection

More Than Property—It’s People

By empowering informed buyers and rightful sellers, we return vacant homes to responsible hands—reducing blight and restoring communities. Every home revived adds safety, dignity, and value to its neighborhood.