do I have a legal right to collect on a debt

[quietsound]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

I am holding a deed of trust note for 17k and it's secured by the homestead (said house and property). There were no surplus funds available to pay off this debt owed to me after the house was auctioned off. Do I have a legal right to try and collect this debt from them anyway or do I just write it off on my taxes as a bad uncollected debt.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

I am holding a deed of trust note for 17k and it's secured by the homestead (said house and property). There were no surplus funds available to pay off this debt owed to me after the house was auctioned off. Do I have a legal right to try and collect this debt from them anyway or do I just write it off on my taxes as a bad uncollected debt.

**A: if the auction was a BK auction you cannot collect. If the auction was a tax, foreclosure auction, then you can still go after the former property owners.