Home > Guides > Foreclosure > Foreclosure basics > Foreclosure definitions and terms

Foreclosure definitions and terms

By RealtyTrac | Published: Jul 28, 2010 | 33 Comments

Learn more about common definitions and terms used throughout the foreclosure process by mortgage lenders, investors, and real estate professionals.

Notice of Default (NOD): The initial document (non-judicial) filed by a trustee that starts the foreclosure process, usually after the occurrence of a default under the deed of trust, or mortgage. Both LIS and NOD are part of the PRE-foreclosure process.

Lis Pendens (LIS): Notification of pending lawsuit. The initial document (judicial) filed by an attorney or trustee that starts the foreclosure process after the occurrence of default under the deed of trust or mortgage. Both LIS and NOD are part of the PRE-foreclosure process.

Notice of Trustee's Sale (NTS): A filing by notice announcing a public auction.

Notice (Judgment) of Foreclosure Sale (NFS): An order signed by a judge, directing a "Notice of Sale" be published and that a referee (trustee) sell the property at public auction.

Real Estate Owned (REO): "Real Estate Owned" by the lender; the final step in foreclosure process. This document conveys property ownership back to lender.

Government-Owned (GOV): A foreclosed property offered for sale by the government. When a property purchased with a federally insured mortgage (i.e., FHA, VA) is foreclosed by the lender, the federal government pays the lender what is owed, takes possession of the property, and offers the property for sale.

Foreclosure: A legal procedure by which mortgaged property is sold, upon default, in order to satisfy a debt. Foreclosures generally are governed by state law, and rules may vary among states.

Deed of Trust: A type of security instrument where the borrower conveys the property's title to a third party (trustee) to be held "in trust" as security for the note.

Mortgage: A conveyance of an interest in real property, given as security for the payment of a debt. An agreement between two parties: borrower and lender.

Assignment of Deed of Trust or Mortgage: Assumption by a purchaser of liability for payment of an existing mortgage, or deed of trust. May or may not be accompanied by a release of liability of the original borrower.

Novation: The substitution of a new contract between the same, or different parties; a substitution, by mutual agreement, of one debtor for another, or one creditor for another. The result is that the old contract is extinguished, and a new contract is created, usually with the same content, but with at least one different party.

Declaration of Default: A document instructing the trustee (usually appointed by a bank) to prepare and record a Notice of Default (NOD), and if necessary, to sell the property at auction in order to satisfy the unpaid obligation or lien.

Full Reconveyance: A document prepared by a trustee, when an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage, is paid back in full. Once recorded, this reconveyance eliminates the lien from the property's title.

Junior Lien: A legal claim upon real property recorded subsequent to (after) another claim or legal obligation (for example, a senior lien would have priority in most cases).

Postponement: A verbal announcement made at the time and location of the scheduled trustee's sale, resetting the auction for a later date.

Publication Letter: A letter, when signed by the beneficiary (lender), authorizing the trustee to prepare, publish and record the Notice of Trustee's Sale (notice of auction).

Publication Period: A period beginning at the expiration of the default period, and ending when the trustee's sale has been conducted. During the publication period, the Notice of Trustee's Sale is published, posted and recorded.

Recession of Notice of Default: After an amount in default has been cured, or paid-back, this document, when signed by the lender and recorded by the trustee, removes the burden of the previously recorded Notice of Default.

Reinstatement Period: The time period beginning when the Notice of Default is recorded, and ending five business days before the trustee's auction sale. The default may be cured, or paid-back, at any time during this period by paying all delinquent amounts, including the trustee's fees and costs.

The information above was gathered from sources deemed reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult official assessment records. State and county terms and policies may vary so consult your local bylaws.

Comments

By Angie Owen,  Tue Aug 31 2010, 22:13
Is this house still for sale?? Please call 419-902-3255 and let me know!!
By John,  Thu Sep 2 2010, 06:58
is it really 842 dollars... if yes i would like to buy it
call 215 827 7962
By Charles Hayes,  Wed Nov 10 2010, 15:17
Upon buying this house is all of the money required to be paid at once or is there mortgage payment to be paid? And if there is can someone else buy the house from under a mortgage holder.
By Tintin,  Thu Dec 2 2010, 21:06
Is this house still for sale ??? please email me: snowleopard023@yahoo.com

TINTIN
By Bea,  Thu Feb 10 2011, 16:31
Is this house still for sale? If so email me @txnanabea@aol.com
By Lin,  Tue Feb 15 2011, 09:00
is this house still for sale? please email me linda11131@comcast.net
By Eyal,  Thu Feb 17 2011, 07:15
if this house still for sale? please email me at eyal_leib@hotmail.com
By Sunnybull2002,  Tue Apr 5 2011, 16:43
I am interested in purchasingthis property. Please reach me at sunnybull2002@yahoo.com
By Itsagoodwitch,  Tue Apr 12 2011, 12:42
more information please, e-mail to itsagoodwitch@aol.com
the picture does not fit to street shown. This is not Santa barbara Blvd, N.!!
By Vasbyt,  Wed Apr 27 2011, 09:41
Please e-mail me back with the bank phone number, since the
ad says, "Bank Owned"
J.Botha
altern.email
johnson7sarah@hotmail.com
or call me 1-619-244-6897
By Sean Mcevoy,  Wed Apr 27 2011, 12:02
Please E Mail me on this Home, Sean McEvoy, E Mail , mcevoy007@hotmail.com
By Lindsaypagel,  Wed May 11 2011, 18:04
is this house still for sale, if so we are very interested! please email me at lindsaypagel@yahoo.com
By Youngsixpack,  Sun May 15 2011, 21:11
I am ready to buy, if its still for sale, call me at 949 228 8368
By Wanting To Buy Home,  Mon May 30 2011, 20:07
I was told someone had bought this property and that it was for someone to live in affected by the recent tornados because the buyer had the full amount and was turned down.Please post recent update for this house. Post the bank number who owns the property so someone can actually buy it.
By Sariah,  Wed Jul 6 2011, 13:52
Is this house still for sale? please email me at sariahp@yahoo.com
By Jojo,  Thu Jul 21 2011, 13:03
This house is still available, pls. email me josie94@ymail.com my number 218-640-2031....
By Saralyn78,  Mon Aug 1 2011, 13:03
Can you please Email me at: saralyn_anne@yahoo.com and let me know if this house is still available! Thank you...
By Vitaliykosto,  Wed Aug 3 2011, 14:32
Can u please email me at; vitakosto@yahoo.com and let me know if this house is still availble Thank you. Or call me 570-574-0201
By Gonzo,  Fri Sep 2 2011, 16:00
Hi i am interested in this property along with CASH OFFER. please call 305 200 - 7340.
By Dena Parisi,  Mon Oct 3 2011, 12:13
Hi we are interested in seeing this house, please email me at dna24@msn.com thank you! Dena
By Noris Bouskila,  Sat Oct 29 2011, 21:31
Who to contact for this house? please email norisart.info@gmail.com
By Kiyoko,  Fri Dec 2 2011, 15:47
Were very interested in this house. How do we find out when the auction happens? Djingo021@aol.com

Thanks.
By Abailey122,  Thu Dec 15 2011, 07:44
Very interested in this home. Please contact me via email with a number to call about it at: abailey122@gmail.com
By kalu,  Mon Jan 9 2012, 19:08
My name is Om Mishra. I am very much interested to offer full amount for this home. Please contact email me mishraom2001@gmail.com or 904-994-1374
or leave your voice message and call back no in case if i dont pick up the phone.
By kalu,  Mon Jan 9 2012, 19:11
hi there
By ABR,  Tue Feb 14 2012, 14:23
if it was a foreclosure, it would be listed as a foreclosure. reality trac is just a website trying to make money
By Lyndamalonecrockett,  Sun Mar 4 2012, 15:17
attention people, forclosures and court house auctions are puiblic information all you have to do is go to the darn court house and get the info. also broward county publishes 2 legal news papers for a subscription price of 50 bucks last time i checked. all legal notices relalated to up and comming auctions are published in those 2 journals..DONT CALL THE STUPID BANK OR THE HOME OWNER. YOU NEED TO DO YOUR DUE DILLIGENCE AND FIND OUT IT THERE ARE ANY LIENS ON THE PROPERTY AND WHAT POSTION THE BANK IS IN ON THE PROPERTY..YOU BUY THE LIENS WHEN YOU BUY THE LAND SO BUYER BE WARE..ALSO BANK COULD BE IN SECOND POSIITION AND YOU COULD GET IT OUT FROM UNDER THE BANK..THEY ARE TOO BUSY TO SHOW UP AT EVERY ACUTION...PIGS THAT THEY ARE....GOOD LUCK
By Lyndamalonecrockett,  Sun Mar 4 2012, 15:17
attention people, forclosures and court house auctions are puiblic information all you have to do is go to the darn court house and get the info. also broward county publishes 2 legal news papers for a subscription price of 50 bucks last time i checked. all legal notices relalated to up and comming auctions are published in those 2 journals..DONT CALL THE STUPID BANK OR THE HOME OWNER. YOU NEED TO DO YOUR DUE DILLIGENCE AND FIND OUT IT THERE ARE ANY LIENS ON THE PROPERTY AND WHAT POSTION THE BANK IS IN ON THE PROPERTY..YOU BUY THE LIENS WHEN YOU BUY THE LAND SO BUYER BE WARE..ALSO BANK COULD BE IN SECOND POSIITION AND YOU COULD GET IT OUT FROM UNDER THE BANK..THEY ARE TOO BUSY TO SHOW UP AT EVERY ACUTION...PIGS THAT THEY ARE....GOOD LUCK
By Julie Friedman,  Sat Mar 17 2012, 05:11
Hi I am also interested in this property. Please email: juliefriedman1@yahoo.com. Thank you.
By Bumb Deal,  Sat Mar 24 2012, 07:53
Bank owned Foreclosures can be a real Bumb Deal for the buyer! Banks by law are not required to make any disclosures regarding the condition of the property. Believe me when I say IT IS BUYER BEWARE! A perfect example of this is the REO property located a 2138 Paseo Donito, Alpine, CA 91901. The roof leaks & needs to be replaced & there is mold & water damage on both the first & second floors due to the leaking roof. There are 2 private road maintenance agreements tied to the property. There are a number of access easements across the property. Alpine Fire is owed $4,500.00 for hazard abatement work done by them. None of this was or will be disclosed by the BANK! BUYER BEWARE!
By Kahlia Rhodes,  Fri Apr 6 2012, 21:30
I would like to know who is the listing agent please call me at 267-351-0569
Kahlia Rhodes
By Linette Langowski,  Mon Apr 23 2012, 12:41
Is this house still available
By Nconstant,  Sun Apr 29 2012, 08:46
Is this property still on the market? Please contat me.

Leave a comment

POST

3/5 guides | View all

The foreclosure process varies somewhat from state to state, and depends primarily on whether the state uses mortgages or deeds of trust for the purchase of real property. Generally, states that use mortgages conduct judicial foreclosures, using the court ...

By RealtyTrac | 11 Comments

Got a real estate question? 

ASK
Copyright © 2012 Trulia, Inc. All rights reserved.   |  
Have a question? Visit our Help Center to find the answer