| Jurisdiction | Customary Security Agreement | Customary Foreclosure Procedure |
| Alabama | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| Alaska | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Arizona | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Arkansas | Mortgage | Judicial |
| California | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Colorado | Deed of Trust (Semi-judicial) | Public Trustee’s Sale |
| Connecticut | Mortgage | Judicial-Strict Foreclosure |
| Delaware | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Dis. of Col. | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Florida | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Georgia | Security Deed | Nonjudicial |
| Hawaii | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Idaho | Mortgage | Judicial & Nonjudicial |
| Illinois | Mtg. & D.T. | Judicial |
| Indiana | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Iowa | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Kansas | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Kentucky | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Louisiana | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Maine | Mortgage | Judicial (Nonjudicial for Corporate Borrower) |
| Maryland | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Massachusetts | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| Michigan | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| Minnesota | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| Mississippi | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Missouri | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Montana | Instlmnt. Contract | Nonjudicial |
| Nebraska | Deed of Trust Mortgage | Judicial & Nonjudicial |
| Nevada | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| New Hampshire | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| New Jersey | Mortgage | Judicial |
| New Mexico | Mortgage | Judicial |
| New York | Mortgage | Judicial |
| North Carolina | Deed of Trust | NonJudicial |
| North Dakota | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Ohio | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Oklahoma | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Oregon | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Pennsylvania | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Puerto Rico | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Rhode Island | Mortgage | Nonjudicial |
| South Carolina | Mortgage | Judicial |
| South Dakota | Mortgage | Judicial & Nonjudicial |
| Tennessee | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Texas | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Utah | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Vermont | Mortgage | Strict Foreclosure |
| Virgin Islands | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Virginia | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Washington | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| West Virginia | Deed of Trust | Nonjudicial |
| Wisconsin | Mortgage | Judicial |
| Wyoming | Mtg. & Installment Contracts | Judicial |
JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE:
Judicial foreclosures are processed through the courts, beginning with the lender filing a complaint and recording a notice of Lis Pendens. The complaint will state what the debt is, and why the default should allow the lender to foreclose and take the property given as security for the loan. The homeowner will be served notice of the complaint, either by mailing, direct service, or publication of the notice, and will have the opportunity to be heard before the court. If the court finds the debt valid, and in default, it will issue a judgment for the total amount owed, including the costs of the foreclosure process. After the judgment has been entered, a writ will be issued by the court authorizing a sheriff’s sale. The sheriff’s sale is an auction, open to anyone, and is held in a public place, which can range from in front of the courthouse steps, to in front of the property being auctioned. Sheriff’s sales will require either cash to be paid at the time of sale, or a substantial deposit, with the balance paid from later that same day up to 30 days after the sale. Check your local procedures carefully. At the end of the auction, the highest bidder will be the owner of the property, subject to the court’s confirmation of the sale. After the court has confirmed the sale, a sheriff’s deed will be prepared and delivered to the highest bidder, when that deed is recorded, the highest bidder is the owner of the property.
NONJUDICIAL FORECLOSURE:
Non-judicial foreclosures are processed without court intervention, with the requirements for the foreclosure established by state statutes. When a loan default occurs, the homeowner will be mailed a default letter, and in many states, a Notice of Default will be recorded at approximately the same time. If the homeowner does not cure the default, a Notice of Sale will be mailed to the homeowner, posted in public places, recorded at the county recorder’s office, and published in area legal publications. After the legally required time period has expired, a public auction will be held, with the highest bidder becoming the owner of the property, subject to their receipt and recordation of the deed. Auctions of non-judicial foreclosures will generally require cash, or cash equivalent either at the sale, or very shortly thereafter.
It is important to note that each non-judicial foreclosure state has different procedures. Some do not require a Notice of Default, but start with a Notice of Sale. Others require only the publication of the Notice of Sale to announce the sale, with no direct owner notification required. You need to know the specific procedure for your state.