The Rescue Playbook
A step-by-step guide for California homeowners facing foreclosure
Just got a Notice of Default or a Notice of Trustee's Sale? This free guide explains what your notices mean, the deadlines that matter, and every option you have while there's still time to use it.
- !Have a sale date? Read this firstThe deadlines that come before the auction.
- 01Understanding the Notice of DefaultWhat it says, and your first 7 days.
- 02Steps in the foreclosure processThe timeline, your rights, and what happens after the sale.
- 03Common myths about foreclosureSix beliefs that cost homeowners.
- 04Remedies and solutionsEvery option compared, plus a worksheet.
- 05Getting professional helpWho to call, and how to avoid scams.
Read it now, free
No sign-up and no forms. Open it, save it, print it, or share it.
Questions after you read it? Call or text (619) 389-2542.
The California foreclosure timeline, at a glance
Most California foreclosures happen outside of court, through a trustee's sale. State law sets the steps and the minimum time between them. The guide covers each one, plus your rights and what happens after the sale.
- 1Before any notice
Missed payments
Your servicer has to reach out about options. Foreclosure generally can't start until you're more than 120 days behind.
- 2Day 0
Notice of Default
Recorded with the county. No sale can be scheduled for at least three months.
Best time to plan - 33+ months later
Notice of Trustee's Sale
Sets the auction date, place, and time, at least 20 days out.
- 45 business days before
The early cutoff
Last day to reinstate the loan, and last day for a listing to postpone the sale.
Don't miss it - 5Sale date
Trustee's sale
A public auction. Bidders pay cash, usually without seeing inside.
Three myths from the guide
Each one costs homeowners time, money, or their equity. The guide covers six.
Once I'm in foreclosure, I can't sell.
You can sell any time before the auction. The sale pays off the loan, and the equity left over is yours.
Applying for a loan modification stops the sale.
Only a complete application, received early enough, is protected. The sale date can keep moving while you wait, so keep a backup plan.
The auction will get a fair price for my home.
Bidders pay cash, usually without seeing inside. If no one outbids the debt, the lender takes the home and you receive nothing.
Same home, three outcomes
An example from the guide's worksheet: a $700,000 home with a $455,000 loan payoff. Your numbers will differ.
The guide includes a fill-in worksheet to estimate your own equity. Want real numbers? Get a free market valuation and net sheet.
From a California Realtor who's been through it
Founder Natasha Mora's family lost their home to foreclosure in 2012. Nobody told them they had options until it was too late to use them, and nobody asked where they would go next. The Rescue Playbook gives homeowners the plain answers her family never got.
Natasha Mora, DRE #01948301 · Brokered by LPT Realty, Inc. · More about us
Questions about the guide
Is the guide really free?
Yes. No cost, no sign-up, and no obligation. Open it, save it, and read it on your own time.
Is the guide specific to California?
Yes. It covers California's trustee's sale process and the deadlines in California law, updated October 2026. It's general information, not legal advice.
Can I share it with my family?
Yes. Save the PDF, print it, or send this page to anyone who's helping you.
I already have an auction date. Should I read the guide first?
Read page 3 of the guide, then book a free file review. Two key options end five business days before the sale date, not on it.