What happens if a sale date is set
Seeing a sale date on a Notice of Trustee Sale is frightening. It is a signal to act quickly, but it does not always mean every option is gone. Here is what to know, and what you can do today. Nothing here is a promise that a sale will be stopped or postponed.
What a sale date means
The Notice of Trustee Sale lists the date, time, and location of the auction. It generally must be given at least 20 days before the sale. Sales are frequently postponed for many reasons, but you should treat the date on your notice as real until you have confirmation otherwise.
Call your servicer today
Call your servicer and ask: Is the sale still scheduled? What is the exact reinstatement amount? Do I have a loss mitigation application under review, and is it complete? Can a postponement be requested while my application is reviewed? Write down who you spoke with and what they said, and ask them to confirm in writing.
If you have not applied for help yet, ask how to submit a complete application right away. Protections can depend on when a complete application is received relative to the sale date, so timing matters. A postponement is up to the servicer and trustee; it is never guaranteed.
Know your reinstatement deadline
California law generally lets you reinstate by paying past-due amounts plus allowed fees and costs until five business days before the sale. If family help or savings could cover that amount, ask for a written reinstatement quote immediately.
Check for postponements yourself
The notice usually includes a phone number or website for sale status. Check it regularly, especially in the days right before the sale. Postponements can happen at the last minute, and so can a sale going forward.
Selling before the sale
If you have equity, a sale that closes before the auction may protect money that could otherwise be lost. Time is short, so this path depends on your lender, your timeline, and the market. An Equity Guard Agent can give you an honest view of whether it is realistic. Run rough numbers with our equity check.
Get free help right now
A HUD-approved housing counselor or a legal aid office may be able to help quickly; see our free help page. For questions about bankruptcy or legal defenses, please talk with a licensed attorney. Review all options and your stage in the timeline tool.
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In California, it is illegal for anyone to collect a fee for loan modification or other mortgage relief services before the work is fully done (Civil Code section 2944.7). If someone asks you to pay first, walk away and talk to a free HUD-approved counselor.
Talk to an Equity Guard Agent
If you would like someone to listen and help you think through your situation, an Equity Guard Agent is happy to talk, free and with no pressure. We cannot promise any outcome, and we will always point you to free counselors and attorneys when that is the right next step.
Informational only, not legal advice. This article is general information about California foreclosure and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and programs change, and every situation is different. Please confirm details with your servicer, a HUD-approved housing counselor, or a licensed attorney.