California Foreclosure Law: How The Foreclosure Process Affects You
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This section will review foreclosure laws in California.
Because foreclosure laws vary from state to state,
it is important to understand how the California.foreclosure process works. Remember,
when you consider buying a foreclosure,
the state in which the property is located determines the laws regarding the property,
not the state where the buyer may reside.
In many cases buyers of foreclosed homes located in California also live in California. Be aware of how state foreclosure laws may impact your personal situation.
You can learn a lot about the system for foreclosure in California in this section,
but our information is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
And because every state’s laws are subject to change without notice,
we recommend you consult a real estate lawyer to gain a professional opinion of our information,
and your interpretation of the information,
as it applies to your specific real estate investment or home purchase situation.
Visit the California law details below to learn about how California foreclosure handles aspects of judicial or non-judicial availability,
primary security instruments, foreclosure timelines and foreclosure filing milestones, guidelines for Power of Sale in California,
and application of deficiency judgments.
We’ll help you understand these foreclosure law terms and how California applies them to the process.
You may or may not need to navigate through California’s laws in great detail during your purchase process,
but smart foreclosure buyers find that learning a lot might help save a lot on a discount home purchase.
Judicial Foreclosure Available:
Yes
Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available:
Yes
Primary Security Instruments:
Deed of Trust, Mortgage
Timeline:
Typically 120 days
Right of Redemption:
Varies
Deficiency Judgments Allowed:
Varies
Judicial Foreclosure
The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, your home will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Using this type of foreclosure process, lenders may seek a deficiency judgment and under certain circumstances, the borrower may have up to 1 year to redeem the property.
Non-Judicial Foreclosure
The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A "power of sale" clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below.
Power of Sale Guidelines
If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows: A notice of sale must be:
| 1. |
Recorded in the county where the property is located at least 14 days prior to the sale |
| 2. |
Mailed by certified, return receipt requested, to the borrower at least 20 days before the sale |
| 3. |
Posted on the property itself at least 20 days before the sale |
| 4. |
Posted in 1 public place in the county where the property is to be sold |
The borrower has up until five days before the foreclosure sale to cure the default and stop the process.
The sale may be held on any business day between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm and must take place at the location specified in the notice of sale. The trustee may require proof of the bidders ability to pay their full bid amount. Anyone may bid at the sale, which must be made at public auction to the highest bidder. If necessary, the sale may be postponed by announcement at the time and location of the original foreclosure sale.
Lenders may not seek a deficiency judgment after a non-judicial foreclosure sale and the borrower has no rights of redemption.
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