It takes several months for a lender to foreclose on a California property. If everything goes ing to schedule, the process typically takes approximately 120 days — about four months — but the process can take as long as 200 or more days to conclude.
If you live in the City of Los Angeles, renters in good standing cannot be evicted because of a foreclosure. (See details below.) If you live anywhere else in California, renters get until the end of their lease, or at least 90 days, to move out in a foreclosure.
This is the beginning of the preforeclosure process and tends to be about 1 – 3 months long. Once this happens, consider this your “last call” to take action to avoid foreclosure. If you decide not to take action, your mortgage will in all probability go into foreclosure.
How to Buy a Foreclosed Home in California Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage. In order to get pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage, you must provide a lender with information about your finances. Hire a Real Estate Agent. Submit Your Offer. Close the Sale. Buy a Foreclosed Home In California Now.
Most mortgages have a power of sale clause, so lenders can foreclose without going to court (non-judicial). These are the most common type of foreclosures in California.
In California, the foreclosure process typically begins when a borrower misses a mortgage payment, triggering a Notice of Default (NOD) after about 90 days. Following the NOD, the borrower has approximately 90 days to remedy the default before a Notice of Trustee's Sale is issued.
In California, you typically need to miss three consecutive mortgage payments (120 days past due) before foreclosure proceedings start. It's essential to address any missed payments quickly to avoid escalating into a foreclosure situation that could threaten your home.
It takes several months for a lender to foreclose on a California property. If everything goes ing to schedule, the process typically takes approximately 120 days — about four months — but the process can take as long as 200 or more days to conclude.
When Can a California Foreclosure Start? Under federal law, the servicer usually can't officially begin a foreclosure until you're more than 120 days past due on payments, subject to a few exceptions. (12 C.F.R. § 1024.41 (2025).)