Quick answer: most foreclosures take 8 months in Utah. Once you are 3 months late with your house payments, your mortgage company will send you a letter telling you how much is owed to bring your mortgage current. If you do not bring your mortgage current within a month from receiving the letter, your lender will record a notice of default giving you 3 months to cure the default. If the mortgage is not cured during this 3 month period, you will receive a notice of sale. This notice period is at least 20 days but often about a month.
By Gary Parker, licensed Utah real estate agent (License #4922719-SA00) · Last updated September 29, 2026
For some homeowners, foreclosure is an unfortunate reality. It is usually one that’s entirely outside of their control. But how long does foreclosure take in Utah? It will actually vary depending on any number of circumstances. Here’s what you should know about what to expect from the foreclosure process.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Missed payments | Lender sends late notices and collection calls | Months 1-3 |
| Pre-default notice | Lender must notify you before recording the notice of interest | 1 month notice |
| Notice of default | Recorded with the county; the 3-month clock starts | 3 months |
| Notice of sale | Mailed, posted on house and published | About 1 month |
| Trustee’s sale | Home is sold at public auction | Total time about 8 months |
Utah Foreclosure Timeline at a Glance
Utah Foreclosure Process
The majority of the foreclosures that take place in Utah are non-judicial. The deed of trust you signed when you bought your house is used in a process called a trustee’s sale to make the lender whole. Utah foreclosure law does allow a lender to use a judicial option that uses the state court system to foreclose.
One exception are HOA’s. An HOA may initiate a non-judicial foreclosure for the fees they are due, but an owner in the HOA can request a judicial foreclosure within 30 days of receiving foreclosure notice.
The Foreclosure Timeline
In Utah the foreclosure process takes about 8 months from your 1st missed house payment to the sale of your property at auction. You first need to be 120 days late in your payments before a notice of default is recorded. This period is known as the pre-foreclosure period. Default occurs after missing your 1st payment. Once you are 90 days late, your lender will send you a letter that states how much is needed to bring your mortgage current, and the letter will list a single point of contact you will use throughout the foreclosure process. If you do not cure your default within 30 days of receiving the letter, a notice of default can be recorded. That notice of default recording is serving a 3 month notice before a sale date will be issued. This is called the 3-month cure period. And finally, a notice is given that your home will be sold at auction. Public notice must be given in a newspaper, and notice will be made on the property itself.
The timetable described above is the quickest the process can happen. The process can take longer depending on how fast or slow your mortgage company and the attorney they use pushes things along. There are ways to slow down or stop foreclosure such as bankruptcy, loan modification or working with an investor.
What To Expect From The Process Of Foreclosure
Your mortgage company may allow you to do a loan modification. This is an agreement that makes a permanent change to your mortgage terms. You can call your mortgage company and ask them to send you a modification application. Your mortgage company will probably reach out to you about a modification.
You may consider bankruptcy to stop your foreclosure. You will need to prove that you can make all of your payments including a new payment for all of your late payments and fees.
Investors will try and contact you to sell your house or perhaps loan you money. It is very important to talk with a real estate agent and investors when making your decision to sell or borrow money. Some people may want to list with an agent to sell their home for maximum proceeds. Some people may want to stay in their home and a loan based on equity may work. You should never work with an investor that wants you to sign the title of your house over to them.
There are some resources you can use to help you solve your foreclosure.
- Community Development Corporation of Utah. HUD Certified. (801) 994-7222
- Homeowners HOPE Hotline. National support line. (888) 995-4673
- Utah 211. State resource network. Dial 2-1-1
Does Utah Have a Right of Redemption?
There is no right of redemption for a non-judicial foreclosure in Utah. However, there is a 180-day post-sale right of redemption for judicial foreclosures.
What’s The Foreclosure Solution?
If your lender will not qualify you for a loan modification or you can not file a bankruptcy, selling your house is probably your best option.
Listing your house with a real estate agent will typically net you the most amount of money for your house. If you start the process of selling your house early in the foreclosure process, most mortgage lenders will give you enough time to sell your house.
Another option is a reputable home buying company. Typically, they can almost always guarantee the purchase of your home—in cash, and frequently in no more than 3 to 5 days. They can also offer rent-back and buy-back options if you want to stay in your house.
Facing a formal notice of foreclosure is never easy. It places as much a stress on your finances as it does your emotional well-being. But it’s important to realize that even in the bleakest times, there are always options that can help you shoulder the burden.
This article is general information and not to be considered legal advice.