Foreclosure timelines in Washington and Oregon

Non-judicial process · September 2, 2026

Foreclosure is slow by design. In both states there are required notices and required waiting periods between them, and the whole thing usually runs several months from the first missed payment to a sale. The day counts below are typical, not promises. Your notice has the real dates, and a counselor can confirm them.

Washington (deed of trust, RCW 61.24)

1. Missed payments. Late fees and calls begin. Nothing is filed yet. This is the cheapest moment to fix things.
2. Pre-foreclosure notice, about 30 days. Before a notice of default, the lender sends a letter about your options, including the right to ask for a meeting and for mediation through the state’s program. Typically you have 30 days to respond.
3. Notice of default, then at least 30 days. The formal notice, with the amount to reinstate. At least 30 days must pass before the next step.
4. Notice of trustee’s sale, at least 90 to 120 days before the sale. The sale date is set and recorded. For an owner-occupied home the notice period is typically 120 days. You can still reinstate up to 11 days before the sale.
5. Sale. Held by the trustee, usually at the county courthouse. After the sale, the new owner can begin the process to take possession; that takes more time and more notices.

Oregon

Oregon allows both non-judicial (trustee) foreclosure and judicial foreclosure through the courts. Since changes in 2012 and 2013, many lenders use the courts, which is slower.

1. Notice of default and election to sell. Recorded and served. In a trustee foreclosure this is the starting document.
2. Foreclosure avoidance program. Before most sales the lender must offer a resolution conference through the state program, with a housing counselor involved. Ask for it; it does not happen unless you request it.
3. At least 120 days before the sale. Oregon requires that the sale be at least 120 days after the notice is served and recorded. You can usually reinstate up to five days before the sale.
4. Judicial foreclosure instead. If the lender sues, you receive a summons and have a short window, often 30 days, to respond in writing. Do not ignore it; responding preserves your options. A court case commonly takes many months.
5. Sale. By the trustee or the sheriff, depending on the route.

Where a sale to us fits

A sale can close at any point before the foreclosure sale, and closing pays the lender off. Practically, we need about two days to see the house and write an offer, and a title company usually needs two to four weeks to close. If your sale date is inside that window, call today and say so; it changes what is possible.

We do not stop foreclosures and we do not say we can. We buy houses. If that is not the right answer for you, a counselor can walk you through the ones that are.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Dates and rules change; confirm anything you are relying on with a counselor or an attorney.