Behind on Your Mortgage? Sell Before the Foreclosure Sale

How the California foreclosure timeline works

California foreclosures are usually non-judicial. After you miss payments, the lender records a Notice of Default. About 90 days later they can record a Notice of Trustee's Sale, which sets an auction date at least 20 days out. In practice the process from first missed payment to sale often runs four to six months or longer, and lenders will frequently postpone the sale if a legitimate purchase contract is in escrow. That window is your opportunity.

Why a cash sale beats waiting

If the house goes to auction, you lose the home, the foreclosure stays on your credit for seven years, and any equity above the loan balance is far from guaranteed. Selling to a cash buyer before the sale pays off the lender in full, stops the foreclosure, and gives you whatever equity is left, on your terms. There are no agent commissions and we pay typical closing costs, so more of that equity reaches you.

What we do differently

We can make an offer within 24 hours of seeing the house and close in as little as 10 to 14 days when a sale date is looming. We contact the lender's trustee with proof of the contract to request a postponement if needed, we can help with a short sale conversation if you owe more than the home is worth, and we can give you time after closing to move if you need it. Everything is confidential; there are no signs in the yard and no open houses.

Be careful who you talk to

Foreclosure rescue scams target homeowners in this exact situation. Never sign a deed over to anyone without money changing hands through a licensed escrow or title company, and never pay an upfront fee to someone promising to save your house. We close every purchase through a licensed California escrow company and encourage you to have an attorney or HUD-approved housing counselor review any agreement.