Can I Sell My House During Foreclosure in California?
Yes. In California you still own your house until the trustee's sale, so you can sell it at any point before the auction, as long as the sale closes in time and pays off the loan or the lender agrees to accept less. Selling before the auction can let you keep the equity you've built instead of losing it at the sale.
You're Dealing With:
- ! The auction date is getting close
- ! You have equity and don't want to lose it at auction
- ! You can't catch up on the payments
- ! The house needs work and won't sell the usual way in time
How a sale before the auction works
- Find out your dates. Your Notice of Default and Notice of Trustee’s Sale show when the process started and when the auction is set. Notices are recorded with the county, so they’re public.
- Get a payoff figure. Ask your servicer for the amount needed to pay off the loan, including past-due payments and fees.
- Sell and close through escrow. The title company pays the lender from the sale, and the foreclosure stops because the loan is paid. Anything left over goes to you.
- If you owe more than it’s worth. The lender has to agree to take less (a short sale), which takes longer, so start early.
Keep in mind you can usually bring the loan current instead, up to five business days before the sale date. See the full California foreclosure timeline.
Where your notices are recorded
- Fresno County: County Recorder, 1250 Van Ness Ave, Fresno
- Kings County: Clerk/Recorder, Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford
- Tulare County: Clerk-Recorder, Government Plaza, 5951 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia
- Kern County: County Recorder, 1530 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield
- Antelope Valley (Los Angeles County): Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Lancaster branch, 44509 16th St. West
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and it does not promise any result. Your dates depend on your loan and your notices. For advice on your situation, talk to a California attorney or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
How We Help
Selling is one way to keep the equity you’ve built instead of losing it at auction. We can look at your house, make a cash offer, and close around your sale date when the timing works. The sooner you reach out, the more options you have.
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