Finance & Mortgages

    Foreclosure

    The process by which a lender forces the sale of property after default. Texas usually uses non-judicial foreclosure under a deed of trust.

    Foreclosure is how a lender enforces its lien after the borrower defaults. Texas relies mainly on non-judicial foreclosure: the trustee named in the deed of trust exercises the power of sale and sells the property at public auction after the required notices, without a lawsuit. A judicial foreclosure through the courts is also available but is less common.

    A Texas non-judicial sale occurs on the first Tuesday of the month at the county courthouse, after notice of default, an opportunity to cure, and a posted and filed notice of sale.

    On the exam

    Texas foreclosure is usually non-judicial, run by the trustee under the deed of trust, on the first Tuesday of the month. No lawsuit is required.

    Exam trap

    Texas does not require a court action to foreclose a deed of trust. The trustee sells under the power of sale, unlike judicial-only states.

    Tested in

    Financing & Settlement (6% of the exam)

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    This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.