PALMER v. HMG VENTURE PARTNER LLC MMA LLC (2021)

AFFIRMED.

In this foreclosure case, James Palmer appeals the trial court's order granting in part and denying in part his motion to vacate foreclosure sale, vacate certificate of sale and certificate of title and objection to amount bid. On appeal, Palmer argues that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to grant an evidentiary hearing on his timely objection to the bid amount pursuant to section 45.031(8), Florida Statutes (2019).¹

As a general proposition, mere inadequacy of price standing alone is not a basis for setting aside a judicial sale. U.S. Bank Nat'l Ass'n v. Bjeljac, 43 So. 3d 851, 852–53 (Fla. 5th DCA 2010). As noted in Bjeljac, “when the inadequacy of price is gross and results from any mistake, accident, surprise, fraud, misconduct or irregularity upon the part of either the purchaser or other person connected with the sale, with resulting injustice to the complaining party, equity will act to prevent the wrong result.” Id.

The affidavit challenging the amount of the bid failed to allege any facts (or for that matter, even conclusory allegations) as to any of the factors set out in Bjeljac. The only allegation within the affidavit was that of mistake in the failure to attend the foreclosure sale. There were no allegations of any fraud, misconduct or irregularity relating to the successful bid. The affidavit was wholly inadequate to necessitate an evidentiary hearing.

FOOTNOTES

1.   The procedural objection, to wit: that the certificate of title was prematurely issued, was cured by entry of an amended certificate.

PER CURIAM.

EDWARDS and NARDELLA, JJ., concur. COHEN, J., concurs specially, with opinion.