How does the house buying process work?

Our process is simple: 1) Contact us and share basic details about your property. 2) We schedule a visit and present a fair cash offer within 24 hours. 3) You choose your closing date and get paid. There is no obligation to accept.

Will you offer market value for my house?

Our cash offers are based on the anticipated market value post-renovation, adjusted for renovation costs and time. While our offers may be at a discount, you save on realtor commissions, closing costs, repairs, and months of waiting.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No. We buy your house in its current condition. No repairs, no cleaning, no renovations needed. We handle everything after purchase.

How quickly can you close?

We can close in as little as 7 to 14 days because we buy with cash and do not rely on bank financing. You choose the closing date that works best for you.

Can I sell an inherited or probate house?

Yes. We regularly purchase inherited and probate properties in the Bay Area. We work with attorneys and handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters.

Can you help if I am facing foreclosure?

Yes. A fast cash sale can stop foreclosure, protect your credit, and help you avoid costly deficiency judgments. Contact us immediately if you have a bank deadline approaching.

Foreclosure Notice of Default in California

Received a Foreclosure Notice of Default in California? Here’s What It Means

If you’ve received a Notice of Default (NOD) on your Bay Area home, your first reaction is probably panic. That’s understandable — an NOD is a serious document that signals the formal beginning of foreclosure proceedings in California. But it’s not the end of the road. You still have time and options, and understanding what the NOD means is the first step toward resolving your situation.

What Is a Notice of Default?

A Notice of Default is a formal document filed by your mortgage lender (technically, by the trustee on the lender’s behalf) with the county recorder’s office. In the Bay Area, this means it’s filed with Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, or whichever county your property is located in.

The NOD is the lender’s official statement that you have failed to meet the terms of your mortgage — almost always because of missed payments. It includes the amount required to cure the default (all past-due payments plus late fees, penalties, and legal costs) and provides notice that foreclosure proceedings have begun.

The NOD becomes public record once filed. This is why you may suddenly start receiving calls, letters, and postcards from real estate investors, agents, and attorneys after an NOD is recorded — they monitor these filings.

When Is the NOD Filed?

In California, the lender typically files the NOD after you’ve been at least 90 days behind on your mortgage payments. Before filing, federal law requires the servicer to have made efforts to contact you about loss mitigation options at least 30 days prior.

Under California’s Homeowner Bill of Rights, your servicer must also provide you with specific information about foreclosure alternatives before recording the NOD.

What Happens After the Notice of Default

Reinstatement period (approximately 3 months): After the NOD is recorded, you enter what’s called the reinstatement period. During this time — roughly 90 days — you have the right to stop the foreclosure by paying all past-due amounts plus fees and penalties. This is called “curing the default.”

Notice of Trustee Sale: If you haven’t cured the default by the end of the reinstatement period, the trustee can file a Notice of Trustee Sale (NTS). This sets the date, time, and location for a public auction of your home. California law requires at least 21 days between the NTS filing and the actual sale.

Trustee Sale: If neither the default is cured nor the home is sold before this date, your property is auctioned to the highest bidder.

Your Rights After Receiving an NOD

Right to reinstate: You can cure the default at any point up to 5 business days before the scheduled trustee sale by paying all arrears plus costs.

Right to sell: You retain full ownership of your home and the right to sell it at any point before the trustee sale is completed. For Bay Area homeowners with significant equity, selling is often the best strategy.

Right to apply for alternatives: Under the California Homeowner Bill of Rights, you have the right to apply for a loan modification, and your lender cannot proceed with foreclosure while a complete application is being reviewed.

Right to one point of contact: Your mortgage servicer must provide you with a single point of contact — a person or team who can answer your questions, explain your options, and track your requests.

What to Do Right Now

Don’t ignore the NOD. Ignoring it won’t make it go away, and the foreclosure process continues whether you engage with it or not.

Verify the information. Check the NOD for accuracy. Confirm the amount claimed as due, the property description, and the parties named. Errors in the NOD can sometimes be grounds to challenge the foreclosure.

Contact your lender’s loss mitigation department. Call immediately and ask about your options. Even though the NOD has been filed, many lenders will still consider loan modifications, repayment plans, or other alternatives.

Consult with a HUD-approved housing counselor. These counselors provide free, confidential guidance and can help you understand your options, prepare paperwork, and even negotiate with your lender on your behalf.

Evaluate selling your home. If you have equity in your Bay Area home — and most homeowners do, given the region’s property values — selling before the foreclosure is finalized protects your credit and preserves your equity. A cash sale can close in as little as 7-14 days.

Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams

The NOD filing is public, and unfortunately, scammers monitor these records. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees they can stop your foreclosure for an upfront fee, asks you to transfer your deed or title to them, tells you to stop communicating with your lender, or pressures you to sign documents you don’t understand.

Legitimate help is available for free through HUD-approved counseling agencies. Legitimate home buyers like We Buy in Bay Area never charge upfront fees and never ask you to transfer your deed before a proper sale.

Let Us Help You Explore Your Options

At We Buy in Bay Area, we’ve helped many homeowners who received a Notice of Default find a way forward. Sometimes selling is the right answer; sometimes loan modification or another option makes more sense. We’ll give you an honest assessment of your situation.

Call 510-403-1626 today for a free, confidential consultation. If selling is the best path, we can provide a fair cash offer and close on your timeline — even if the trustee sale date is approaching.

Foreclosure Notice of Default in California: What Bay Area Homeowners Must Know