Sell vs Reinstate to Stop a Foreclosure in California

To stop a California foreclosure you can reinstate the loan, or sell the home before the trustee sale. Reinstating means paying the missed payments plus fees to bring the loan current. Selling for cash before the sale date stops the foreclosure and lets you keep your equity. The right choice depends on whether you can afford to catch up and whether you want to keep the home.

How the California foreclosure timeline works

The process starts with a Notice of Default, then a 90-day period, then a Notice of Sale at least 21 days before the auction. Our guide to avoiding foreclosure in California walks through each stage and your options at it.

Reinstating the loan

Reinstating means paying every past-due payment plus fees to bring the loan current. In California you can usually do this up to five business days before the trustee sale. It keeps the home, but it needs cash on hand.

Selling before the sale to protect your equity

If you have equity but cannot catch up, a cash sale before the sale date stops the foreclosure and lets you walk away with that equity. A cash sale can close fast enough to beat the auction.

Which path fits, and selling fast

Reinstate if you can afford the arrears and want to stay. Sell if you have equity but cannot catch up. We close quickly, the same way described in our cash home buyers vs traditional real estate comparison. Tell us about the property for a fast cash offer.