There are two methods to foreclose a tax lien. Learn how the North Carolina foreclosure process works, including preforeclosure steps, foreclosure procedures, and homeowner rights .Learn how foreclosures work in North Carolina. The foreclosure process typically takes around 120 days from the date the first payment is missed to when the property is sold at a foreclosure sale. Before a lender may foreclose on a home loan, the lender must provide you with a pre-foreclosure notice at least 45 days prior to filing judicial action. Certified letter mailed to owner(s), lienholders, judgment creditors, and any persons who may have a legal interest in the property. In the state of North Carolina, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process. After missing the first payment, the lender will reach out via a letter or telephone. In the state of North Carolina, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process. This typically results in the forced sale of the home used as collateral for the loan.