Worksheet : 2. How to Get a List

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How to Get a List - Surplus Funds Worksheet

📋 2. How to Get a List 🔍

Surplus Funds Recovery Training
by Lynne's VA Training | Worksheet co-created by Dennis Bayeng with Claude AI
📖 Introduction: Understanding Surplus Funds

Surplus funds (also called excess proceeds or overbids) occur when a property is sold at auction for more than the debt owed. The property owner can claim this excess money! This worksheet will guide you through the process of finding and building your list of potential surplus fund cases.

💡 Key Terms You Need to Know
LIENS (L-I-N-S): Debts against a property used as collateral
Tax Overage: Surplus from property sold due to unpaid taxes
Mortgage Overage: Surplus from foreclosure sale by lender
Surplus Funds: Excess money after debt is paid at auction
Dependent: The property owner/account name
Sheriff Sales: Properties foreclosed and sold by sheriff
🎯 Important Criteria for Your List:
  • Minimum Amount: At least $15,000 in surplus funds
  • Minimum Age: At least 90 days old (roughly 3 months)
  • Check for Claims: Verify no one has claimed the funds yet
🗺️ The 4 Methods to Get Your List
1
Get List Online

Search county websites for public surplus funds lists

2
Request It

Email the county to request their surplus funds list

3
Create Your Own

Build from sheriff sales results and third-party bidder lists

4
Visit Courthouse

Go in person to courthouse (not covered in this training)

✍️ Reflection: Which method seems most accessible to you and why?
🔎 Method 1: Get a List Online (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Choose your state and find a county to work in
Note: Florida, Colorado, and North Carolina are not available
Step 2: Search Google using this format:
[County Name] [State Abbreviation] + Surplus Funds OR Excess Proceeds OR Overbids
Step 3: Look for official county websites with surplus funds lists
Step 4: Download the list (usually available as Excel or PDF)
Step 5: Filter for cases meeting your criteria (minimum $15K, 90+ days old)
📝 Example Search

Search Query: "Galveston County Texas excess proceeds"

Result: Found county website with downloadable list showing case numbers, account names, and surplus amounts

📊 Setting Up Your Google Sheet

Create these columns in your spreadsheet:

  1. State - Which state is the property in?
  2. County - Which county specifically?
  3. Case Number - The official case identifier
  4. Dependent Name - The property owner's name
  5. Property Address - Full address of the property
  6. Surplus Amount - Dollar amount available (minimum $15,000)
✍️ Practice Exercise: Choose a state and county you want to start with and write your search query below:
My First Search:
🏗️ Method 3: Create Your Own List from Sheriff Sales

This advanced method involves finding third-party bidder cases from sheriff sale results.

Tool Needed: Install ProtonVPN for Chrome to access US websites with US IP address
Search for: "[County Name] Sheriff Sales" or "Sheriff Sales Results"
Look for: Properties sold to third-party bidders (not lenders)
Extract: Case numbers from third-party bidder sales
Research: Use county docket system to find surplus amounts
🔧 Important Research Tools
Docket: Where you look up case details and documents
Assessor: Shows property completion, history, and valuation
Deed Records: Where you find property deed information
Third-Party Bidder: Someone other than the lender who bought the property
🚨 Remember: States to AVOID

You cannot work surplus funds cases in these states:

  • Florida
  • Colorado
  • North Carolina
🎯 Your Action Plan
Create a Google Sheet with all required columns
Choose 2-3 counties to start researching
Search for surplus funds lists online for each county
Add at least 5 cases to your list meeting the criteria
Verify each case is at least 90 days old with minimum $15,000
Check that no claims have been filed yet
✍️ Final Reflection: What challenges do you anticipate in building your list, and how will you overcome them?
🌟 You are building valuable skills in research and due diligence. Each list you create is a step toward helping property owners recover their funds! 🌟

📚 Course: Lynne's VA Training - Surplus Funds Recovery

✍️ Worksheet Design: Dennis Bayeng with Claude AI

Keep this worksheet for reference as you build your first list!

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