Foreclosures are rising in 2026
According to ATTOM, 227,548 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing in the first half of 2026, up 21% from a year earlier. Foreclosure starts rose 18%, and completed foreclosures rose 33%. If you have fallen behind, you are not alone, and acting early gives you the most options.
Foreclosure timelines vary by state (Q2 2026)
| Shortest average | Days | Longest average | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 155 | Louisiana | 3,491 |
| New Hampshire | 157 | Hawaii | 2,293 |
| Wyoming | 173 | New York | 2,007 |
| West Virginia | 196 | Connecticut | 1,626 |
| Alaska | 199 | Nevada | 1,507 |
Source: ATTOM. Your timeline depends on your state, your loan, and your servicer.
First, look at every option
- Call your servicer. Ask about forbearance, a repayment plan, or a loan modification. If you apply for help, the CFPB says your complete application should reach the servicer more than 37 days before a scheduled sale.
- Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor. Counseling is free. Call 800-569-4287 or use the CFPB's "Find a housing counselor" tool.
- Consider a short sale if you owe more than the home is worth. It requires the lender's approval.
- Ask about a deed in lieu of foreclosure, where you give the home back to the lender by agreement.
If selling is the right move
- Request a payoff statement from your servicer to see exactly what you owe, including fees.
- Estimate your equity: likely sale price minus payoff and selling costs.
- Tell your servicer you are selling. A signed contract can sometimes support a request to postpone a sale date. Ask; never assume.
- Pick a path that fits your time. If you have months, listing may net more. If the sale date is close, a direct sale with a firm closing date may be the safer choice.
- Close through a licensed title company so the lender is paid directly and you receive the rest.
Red flags: foreclosure rescue scams
Consumer protection agencies, including the FTC, warn homeowners to watch for anyone who:
- Charges upfront fees to "save" your home
- Guarantees they can stop a foreclosure
- Tells you to stop paying your mortgage or to stop talking to your lender
- Asks you to sign your deed over so you can "rent it back" while they "fix" the loan
- Pressures you to sign quickly, or before you have read everything
Legitimate help from HUD-approved counselors is free.
How Speti fits
If selling makes sense, Speti can review your home and explain the options in plain language. A Cash Fast sale is as-is with a defined closing window. If you have more time, Cash Plus markets the home first to pursue a higher price. We never charge you a fee to request an offer, and there is no obligation. We also encourage you to speak with a free housing counselor before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How late is too late to sell?
Usually you can sell until the foreclosure sale happens, but options shrink as the date gets closer. Some states also give owners a redemption period afterward.
Will selling hurt my credit?
Late payments already reported stay on your report, but avoiding a completed foreclosure keeps that record off it.
What if I owe more than the house is worth?
A short sale may be an option. It requires the lender's approval, and you may want a professional to guide you through it.
General information only, not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- ATTOM Mid-Year 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report — https://www.attomdata.com/news/market-trends/foreclosures/2026-mid-year-foreclosure-market-report/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-happens-to-my-mortgage-if-i-am-late-or-stop-making-payments-en-1851/
- Nolo, How to Get Foreclosure Prevention Counseling — https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-get-foreclosure-prevention-counseling.html