Foreclosure Laws

Foreclosure Laws

Virginia

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

 -  Timeline: Typically 60 days

-  Right of Redemption: Varies

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Virginia, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

The borrower has two hundred forty (240) days from the date of the sale to redeem the property by paying the amount for which the property was sold, plus six (6) percent interest.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

1. If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. However, additional requirements must be met, as outlined below in section one (1).Even when the deed of trust makes allowances for advertising the foreclosure sale, Virginia Statutes require ads to be published no less than once a day for three days, which may be consecutive days. These requirements are in addition to the advertising terms stipulated in the deed of trust. If the deed of trust does not provide for advertising, then the ad shall be run once a week for four successive weeks. However, near a city, an ad on five different days, which may be consecutive, will be sufficient.A copy of the advertisement or a notice with the same information must be mailed to the borrower at least 14 days before the foreclosure sale.
     

    

2. The foreclosure sale ad must include anything required by the deed of trust and may include a legal description of the property, a street address and a tax map identification or general information about the property’s location. The notice must include the time, place and terms of sale. It must give the name of the trustee and the address and phone number of a person who will be able to respond to inquiries about the foreclosure sale.Any time before the sale, the borrower may cure the default and stop the sale by paying the lien debt, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
      

3. The sale, which may be held no earlier than eight (8) days after the first ad is published and no more than thirty (30) days after the last advertisement is published, is to be made at auction to the highest bidder. Any person other than the trustee may bid at the foreclosure sale, including a person who has submitted a written one-price bid. Written one-price bids may be made and shall be received by the trustee for entry by announcement of the trustee at the sale. Any bidder in attendance may inspect written bids. Additionally, the trustee may require bidders to place a cash deposit of up to ten (10) percent of the sale price, unless the dead of trust specifies a higher or lower amount.In the event of postponement of sale, which may be done at the discretion of the trustee, advertisement of such postponed sale shall be in the same manner as the original advertisement of sale.  

 Once the sale is complete, the proceeds will go to: 1) the expenses    of  executing the trust; 2) to discharge all taxes, levies, and assessments, with costs and interest if they have priority over the lien of the deed of trust; 3) to discharge in the order of their priority, if any, the remaining debts and obligations secured by the deed, and any liens of record inferior to the deed of trust under which sale is made; 4) any remaining proceeds go to the borrower.

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments, without limits, in Virginia.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Wyoming, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of

sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. Written notice of intent to foreclose the mortgage by advertisement and sale must be served upon the record owner, and the person in possession of the mortgaged premises (if different than the record owner), by certified mail with return receipt, at least ten (10) days before the first publication of notice of sale.The notice must be published at least once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed in the county where the property is located. If there is no newspaper printed in the county, then the notice must be published in a paper printed in the state and of general circulation in said county.Said notice must specify the name of the borrower, the lender and the lender’s representative, the date of the mortgage and when it was recorded, the amount of the default, a description of the property and the time and place of sale.
     

    

2. The sale must be held at the front door of the courthouse of the county in which the premises to be sold, or some part of them, are situated, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and must be conducted by the person appointed for that purpose in the mortgage or by the sheriff or deputy sheriff of the county. Anyone may bid, including the lender. The highest bidder will receive a certificate of purchase.Such sale may be postponed from time to time by inserting a notice as soon as possible in the newspaper in which the original advertisement was published and continuing such publication until the time to which the sale shall be postponed, at the expense of the party requesting such postponement.
      

3. The borrower has three (3) months from the date of sale to redeem the property by paying the amount of the purchase price or the amount given or bid if purchased by the execution creditor or by the mortgagee under a mortgage, together with interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) from the date of sale plus the amount of any assessments or taxes and the amount due on any prior lien which the purchaser paid after the purchase, with interest.

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments in Wyoming.

DC
 

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: No

 

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

 

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust

 

-  Timeline: Typically 60 days

-  Right of Redemption: No

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Washington D.C., lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts in default using the non-judicial foreclosure process.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed.

If the terms of the sale are not established in the deed of trust, the lender, or his representative, must obtain a court order specifying the terms of the sale.

However, no foreclosure sale may take place unless the lender gives written notice, by certified mail (return receipt requested), to the borrower at his last known address. This notice must also be sent to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or his designated agent. Both notices must be sent at least thirty (30) days prior to the sale, with the thirty (30) day period beginning on the day the notice is received by the Mayor. This notice must be given in addition to any notices set forth by the court, the mortgage or the deed of trust.

In Washington D.C., lenders may obtain a deficiency judgment against the borrower for the difference between the foreclosure sale amount and the amount remaining on the original loan. The borrower has no rights of redemption.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

Maryland

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes, with restrictions

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: No

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Maryland, lenders may foreclose on a mortgage or deed of trust in default using either the judicial, assent to decree, or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

In cases where the security instrument contains neither a power of sale nor an assent to a decree, a lender must file a complaint against the borrower and obtain a decree of sale from a court having jurisdiction in the county where the property is located before foreclosure proceedings can begin. The court will then determine whether a default has occurred.

If the court finds that a default has occurred it shall: 1) fix the amount of the debt, interest, and costs then due; and 2) provide a reasonable time within which payment may be made. The court may order that if payment is not made within the time fixed in the order, the property must be sold to satisfy the debt.

Assent To Decree Foreclosure

Assent to a decree foreclosure is used when a provision in the security document declares an assent to the entry of an order for the sale of the property upon a specified default. Lenders who use the assent to decree foreclosure must file a complaint to foreclose. However, it is not necessary for a hearing to be held prior to the foreclosure sale.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee.

Despite the permission given in the power of sale clause, lenders in Maryland must still file an order to docket before foreclosure proceedings can begin. However, it is not necessary for a hearing to be held prior to the foreclosure sale.

Foreclosure Guidelines

Unless otherwise stated in the original loan document or ordered by the court, the following guidelines must be adhered to in any foreclosure proceedings:

1. A notice of sale must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property resides at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks, with the first publication to be not less than fifteen (15) days prior to sale and the last publication to be not more than one week prior to sale. The notice of sale must also be sent by certified and by registered mail, not more than thirty (30) days and not less than ten (10) days before the date of the sale, to the borrower at their last known address.
    
2. The sale must be conducted by the person authorized to make the sale (i.e. trustee, sheriff) and may take place immediately outside the courthouse entrance, on the property itself or the location advertised in the notice of sale, if different. The terms of the sale vary by process.
    
3. If the sale is postponed, notice of the new date of sale shall be published in the manner the original notice of sale was given.
    
4. Within thirty (30) days after the sale, the person authorized to make the sale must file a complete report of the sale with the court. The clerk of the court will then issue a notice containing a brief description to identify the property and stating that the sale will be ratified unless cause to the contrary is shown within 30 days after the date of the notice. A copy of the notice shall be published at least once a week in each of three successive weeks before the expiration of the 30-day period in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county in which the report of sale was filed.
    
5. Lenders have a period of three (3) years to file for a deficiency judgment, but it is limited to the balance of the loan in default after the foreclosure sale proceeds have been applied.

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Wyoming, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. Written notice of intent to foreclose the mortgage by advertisement and sale must be served upon the record owner, and the person in possession of the mortgaged premises (if different than the record owner), by certified mail with return receipt, at least ten (10) days before the first publication of notice of sale.The notice must be published at least once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed in the county where the property is located. If there is no newspaper printed in the county, then the notice must be published in a paper printed in the state and of general circulation in said county.Said notice must specify the name of the borrower, the lender and the lender’s representative, the date of the mortgage and when it was recorded, the amount of the default, a description of the property and the time and place of sale.
    

    

2. The sale must be held at the front door of the courthouse of the county in which the premises to be sold, or some part of them, are situated, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and must be conducted by the person appointed for that purpose in the mortgage or by the sheriff or deputy sheriff of the county. Anyone may bid, including the lender. The highest bidder will receive a certificate of purchase.Such sale may be postponed from time to time by inserting a notice as soon as possible in the newspaper in which the original advertisement was published and continuing such publication until the time to which the sale shall be postponed, at the expense of the party requesting such postponement.
     

3. The borrower has three (3) months from the date of sale to redeem the property by paying the amount of the purchase price or the amount given or bid if purchased by the execution creditor or by the mortgagee under a mortgage, together with interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) from the date of sale plus the amount of any assessments or taxes and the amount due on any prior lien which the purchaser paid after the purchase, with interest.

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments in Wyoming.