Land records · Parcel maps · October 7, 2026
What Is a Notice of Trustee Sale? Foreclosure Auctions
What is a notice of trustee sale? A recorded, posted, and published notice setting the date and place of a nonjudicial foreclosure auction.
What is a notice of trustee sale? A notice of trustee sale is a formal notice that a property will be sold at a public foreclosure auction under the power of sale in a deed of trust. It states the date, time, and place of the sale, identifies the property and the deed of trust, and often lists the estimated unpaid balance. State laws typically require the notice to be recorded with the county, posted on the property and in a public place, published in a newspaper, and mailed to the borrower and other interested parties a set number of days before the sale. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Where it fits in foreclosure
- Borrower defaults on the loan.
- **Notice of default** is recorded in some states.
- Cure period runs.
- Notice of trustee sale is recorded, posted, published, and mailed.
- Auction is held by the trustee.
- **Trustee’s deed** is recorded to the winning bidder.
What the notice contains
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Trustor and beneficiary | Identifies borrower and lender |
| Deed of trust recording reference | Links to the security instrument |
| Legal description and address | Identifies the property |
| Sale date, time, and location | Tells bidders when and where |
| Estimated unpaid balance | Gives bidders a rough figure |
| Trustee contact information | For payoff or postponement questions |
Notice periods
States require notice a minimum time before the sale, often around 20 to 30 days for posting and publishing, with recording and mailing deadlines as well. Sales may be postponed, and postponements are often announced at the scheduled sale rather than renoticed.
Borrower rights
Many states allow borrowers to reinstate the loan up to a certain point before the sale, and to pay off the full balance until the sale. A few states provide a redemption period after nonjudicial sales; many do not. Federal rules also restrict sales while a complete loss mitigation application is being reviewed in certain circumstances.
Buying at a trustee sale
Trustee sales are usually cash or certified funds, sold as-is, often without inspection. Bidders take subject to senior liens and should research the title, since a sale by a junior lienholder does not wipe out senior mortgages. Occupants may still be living in the property. See what is a deed of trust.
Finding notices
Notices of trustee sale appear in county recorder indexes, legal newspapers, trustee websites, and posted on properties. Searching by document type such as “NTS” or “notice of sale” helps. Properties with recorded notices are often tracked as pre-foreclosures.
After the sale
The trustee records a trustee’s deed to the buyer. Surplus funds, if any, go to junior lienholders and then the former owner according to state law.
Bottom line
A notice of trustee sale sets the date and place of a nonjudicial foreclosure auction and must be recorded, posted, published, and mailed under state law. Borrowers may still reinstate or pay off in many states until shortly before the sale. Bidders should research title carefully. Find county recorders via the Platbookmapper map.
What is a notice of trustee sale FAQ
What is a notice of trustee sale?
A notice setting the date and place of a nonjudicial foreclosure auction.
Where are notices of trustee sale published?
Recorded with the county, posted, published in a newspaper, and mailed.
Can a trustee sale be postponed?
Yes, postponements are common.
Can I stop a trustee sale?
Often by reinstating or paying off before the deadline.
What happens after a trustee sale?
A trustee’s deed is recorded to the buyer.