Know Your Deadlines

The Foreclosure Timeline — Stage by Stage

Understand exactly where you are in the process, what comes next, and what you can do at each stage to stop foreclosure and save your home.

Stage 1Days 1-30

Missed Payment

Your mortgage payment is 30 days late. The lender will call and send letters. This is the best time to act. All options are still on the table — loan modification, refinance, reinstatement, or forbearance.

All options availableNo legal filings yetLender communication open
Stage 2Days 90-120

Notice of Default (NOD) Filed

The lender files a Notice of Default with the county recorder. You now have a reinstatement period (varies by state, typically 90 days) to pay all past-due amounts and fees. Loan modification, forbearance, and other loss mitigation options remain available.

90-day reinstatement windowModification still possibleAct now — timeline started
Stage 3Days 180-210

Notice of Trustee Sale Recorded

The auction date is set — typically 21-25 days out. This is urgent. You can still stop the sale via reinstatement, loan modification approval, filing bankruptcy, or negotiating a postponement with your lender. Do not wait.

Auction date set21-25 days to actBankruptcy stops sale
Stage 4Auction Day

Foreclosure Auction — Property Sold

The property is auctioned to the highest bidder. After this point, rights vary by state. Some states allow a redemption period; in others, eviction begins immediately. Don't let it get this far — you have options at every stage before this.

Property soldEviction may followSevere credit impact