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Texas Foreclosure Law Summary
Stop Texas
Foreclosure

Quick Facts
- Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
- Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
- Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage
- Timeline: Typically 60 days
- Right of Redemption: No
- Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes |
In Texas, 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:
- Prior to proceeding with
a foreclosure, Texas laws state that the lender must mail the borrower
a letter of demand, informing the buyer he has twenty (20) days
to pay the delinquent payments or foreclosure proceedings will begin.
- At some point after the
borrowers twenty (20) days have expired, but at least twenty one
(21) days before the foreclosure sale, a foreclosure notice must
be: 1) filed with the county clerk; 2) mailed to the borrower at
their last known address; and 3) posted on the county courthouse
door.
- The foreclosure
sale must take place on the first Tuesday of any month, even if
said Tuesday falls on a legal holiday, but only after the proper
preliminary notices have been given. The sale is on the courthouse
steps by auction to the highest bidder for cash. Anyone may bid,
including the lender, who bids by canceling out the balance due
on the note, or some part of it.
Lenders may obtain
deficiency judgments, but they are limited to the difference between
the fair market value of the property at the time of sale and the balance
of the loan in default.
Click here
for more information on Texas foreclosure laws.
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