Can You Sell a House in Foreclosure in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Foreclosure Timeline

Massachusetts is a non-judicial foreclosure state, so most lenders foreclose under the power of sale in the mortgage rather than through a court lawsuit. The full legal framework is on the official Mass.gov foreclosure law page, but here is what the process looks like in practice.

• Missed payments (months 1 to 3). The loan goes into default, usually after several missed payments, and the servicer starts sending late notices.
• Right to cure notice (90 days minimum). The lender must send a formal notice giving you 90 days to catch up on missed payments before foreclosure can begin.
• Land Court filing (runs alongside). The lender files a Servicemembers Civil Relief Act case to confirm no active-duty military protections apply.
• Notice of sale (3 to 4 weeks before auction). The auction notice is mailed to you at least 14 days before the sale and published in the local newspaper for three consecutive weeks.
• Foreclosure auction (often 6 to 12+ months after default). The property is sold to the highest bidder, often on the front steps of the home. This is the deadline for selling it yourself.

Important correction: many websites still say Massachusetts gives homeowners a 150-day right to cure. That was a temporary law, and it expired. The right to cure reverted to 90 days effective January 1, 2016 under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 244, Section 35A. Plan around 90 days, not 150.

During the cure period you can bring the loan current without the lender demanding the full balance, and this right is generally available once every five years. Even if catching up is not realistic, those 90 days are your planning window: time to get a payoff figure, compare options, and line up a sale before an auction date is ever published. The Division of Banks explains the notice process and free assistance programs on its avoiding foreclosure page.

If your 90 days are already running, do not wait for the notice of sale to explore your options. Moss Home Solutions can give you a firm cash offer and a closing date within days. Call (401) 395-0600 for a free consultation.

Is There a Redemption Period After the Auction?

No. For a standard power-of-sale foreclosure in Massachusetts, once the auction is complete and the deed is recorded, there is no statutory right to buy your home back. Some articles claim Massachusetts homeowners get months to redeem the property after the sale. That is not how it works here, and believing it costs people their last real window to act. Everything you can do, you have to do before the auction.

Your Options Before the Auction

• Reinstate the loan. Pay all missed amounts during the 90-day cure period and keep the home.
• Loan modification or forbearance. Restructure the payment with your lender. The Attorney General’s HomeCorps program helps for free; see the state’s preventing foreclosure resources.
• List with an agent. Usually nets the most, but typically takes 60 to 90+ days. Realistic only if the auction is still months away.
• Sell to a cash buyer. Closes in as little as 2 to 3 weeks, as-is, with a closing date you can schedule ahead of the auction. A local buyer like Moss Home Solutions handles the process end to end with no fees or repairs.
• Short sale. For homes worth less than the loan balance. Requires lender approval and often takes months.
• Deed in lieu of foreclosure. Hand the keys back by agreement. A last resort when there is no equity and no buyer.

The right choice depends on equity and time. If you have equity, a sale of any kind protects it. If time is short, speed and certainty start to matter more than squeezing out the last dollar. We compared the trade-offs in detail in our guide on selling to an investor versus listing with a realtor.

How to Sell Before the Auction: 5 Steps

1. Read your right to cure notice. Note the 90-day deadline and the exact amount needed to bring the loan current. This document defines your timeline.
2. Talk to your lender and a free counselor. Ask about modification and forbearance, and book a free session with a HUD-approved housing counselor serving the Attleboro and Taunton area.
3. Request your payoff amount in writing. This tells you exactly what a sale must cover, including missed payments, interest, and fees.
4. Choose how to sell. Months of runway and a market-ready house favor a listing. A published auction date, needed repairs, or an underwater loan favor a cash sale or short sale.
5. Get a cash offer and close before the auction. A local buyer like Moss Home Solutions can evaluate your home in days and put a firm closing date on the calendar ahead of your sale. Call (401) 395-0600 to start. Once the loan is paid at closing, the foreclosure is over.

Facing Foreclosure in Attleboro or Taunton? Local Details That Matter

If your home is in Attleboro, your foreclosure documents are recorded at the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds, which sits in Taunton, and auction notices typically run in The Sun Chronicle. Seeing your address in the paper is jarring, but it also means you still have weeks, not days, because publication must run three consecutive weeks before the sale.

Moss Home Solutions is a family-owned cash buyer founded by CJ and Beth Moss, based in Seekonk about 15 minutes from Attleboro and 25 from Taunton. With 15+ years of combined experience across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we have bought homes at every stage of foreclosure, from the first missed payment to the week before an auction. We buy as-is, cover normal closing costs, charge no fees or commissions, and can close ahead of a published sale date. And if a modification or a traditional listing serves you better, we will say so. See exactly what to expect on our how it works page or our FAQ page.

Auction date approaching? Get a fair cash offer and a closing date before your sale. No fees, no repairs, no obligation. Call (401) 395-0600.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my house during foreclosure in Massachusetts?

Yes. You remain the legal owner until the foreclosure auction is completed, so you can sell at any point before the sale date. Selling before the auction pays off the mortgage, stops the foreclosure, and lets you keep any remaining equity.

How long does foreclosure take in Massachusetts?

Most Massachusetts foreclosures take six months to a year or more from the first missed payment. The lender must send a 90-day right to cure notice, file a Servicemembers Civil Relief Act case, mail a notice of sale at least 14 days before the auction, and publish the notice for three consecutive weeks.

Is the Massachusetts right to cure period 90 days or 150 days?

It is 90 days. A temporary law extended the period to 150 days for several years, but it expired and the right to cure reverted to 90 days effective January 1, 2016 under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 244, Section 35A. Many websites still cite the outdated 150-day figure.

Who buys houses in foreclosure in Attleboro and Taunton?

Moss Home Solutions buys houses in foreclosure throughout Attleboro, Taunton, and surrounding Bristol County communities. The company is a local cash buyer based in Seekonk with 15+ years of combined experience, purchases homes as-is with no repairs or fees, and can close before a scheduled auction date. Call (401) 395-0600 for a no-obligation cash offer.

How fast can I sell a house in foreclosure in Attleboro?

A cash sale to a local buyer like Moss Home Solutions can close in as little as two to three weeks, with the closing scheduled ahead of your auction date. A traditional listing usually takes 60 to 90 days or longer, which is often too slow once a sale date is published.

Will I lose my equity if my house goes to foreclosure auction?

You can. Auctions often bring less than market value, and the proceeds pay the loan balance, legal fees, and auction costs before anything is returned to you. Selling before the auction typically recovers far more of your equity.