Stage 2 of 5 · Foreclosure Help
Notice of Default Recorded
A Notice of Default has been recorded with the county. In California this starts a three-month statutory period before a Notice of Trustee Sale can be recorded. You still hold a statutory right to reinstate.
What this stage means
A Notice of Default, or NOD, is the first recorded step in a California nonjudicial foreclosure. It is recorded by the trustee acting for the beneficiary of the deed of trust.
The NOD states that you are in default and identifies the trustee handling the foreclosure. The trustee, not the servicer, controls the sale timeline from this point forward.
At least three months must pass after the NOD is recorded before a Notice of Trustee Sale can be recorded, which typically gives you roughly 90 to 120 days of runway.
You generally retain the right to reinstate the loan by paying all past-due amounts plus fees and costs until five business days before the scheduled sale date.
A complete loss mitigation application submitted at this stage triggers servicer review obligations and dual-tracking protections under California and federal servicing rules.
Key dates and deadlines
Write these on a calendar today. Business days exclude weekends and holidays, which compresses your window more than a calendar count suggests.
| Milestone | What it governs |
|---|---|
| NOD recording date | The clock starts here. Find the recording date stamped on the first page and calendar it immediately. |
| Within 10 days of recording | The trustee must mail you the NOD. Keep the envelope and the postmark. |
| 3 months after recording | The earliest date a Notice of Trustee Sale may be recorded. Treat this as your hard planning deadline. |
| Reinstatement window | You may generally reinstate until five business days before the sale. After that, only the full payoff amount is accepted. |
Options that fit this stage
These are the options most commonly workable at this point. Others may still apply depending on your equity, income, and how much time remains.
Loan Modification
Permanently change your loan terms to create an affordable payment
Eligibility and documents
Keep the homeReinstatement
Pay all past-due amounts in one payment and restore the loan
Eligibility and documents
Keep the homeRepayment Plan
Spread your arrears across future payments without changing the loan
Eligibility and documents
Keep the homePayoff & Refinance
Replace the existing loan with new financing that clears the default
Eligibility and documents