What Is Pre-Foreclosure and What Are Your Options in Santa Clarita?

If you’ve fallen behind on mortgage payments in Santa Clarita, CA, you might be facing pre-foreclosure—a situation that’s stressful but not without solutions. Pre-foreclosure starts when your lender files a Notice of Default, giving you a limited window to act before your home heads to auction. For Santa Clarita homeowners, where median home prices hover around $770,000 and luxury properties range from $1 million to $5 million, this can feel especially daunting. At Empathy Estates LLC, we specialize in helping you sell your pre-foreclosure home fast for cash, covering 100% of your moving fees to ease the transition.

What Pre-Foreclosure Means in Santa Clarita

Pre-foreclosure is the period after you miss payments and your lender formally notifies you of default, typically via a Notice of Default (NOD). In California, this kicks off a 90-day countdown before the lender can schedule an auction, with an additional 21-day notice period—about 111 days total. Santa Clarita, part of LA County, sees 200–300 pre-foreclosures at any given time, driven by economic pressures and a high cost of living in this family-friendly region.

During this phase, you still own your home and can take steps to avoid losing it at auction. The urgency is real: once the auction happens, your equity could vanish, and your credit takes a hit. Selling quickly can preserve what you’ve built, especially in a market like Santa Clarita’s, where demand remains steady.

Your Options During Pre-Foreclosure

You’re not out of choices. Here’s what you can do:

  • Contact Your Lender: Lenders must attempt to reach you 30 days before filing an NOD, per California’s Homeowner Bill of Rights. Ask about loan modifications or repayment plans to pause foreclosure.

  • Seek Free Counseling: HUD-approved housing counselors in LA County offer no-cost advice. Call 1-855-411-2372 or use the CFPB’s tool to find one near Santa Clarita.

  • Sell Your Home Fast: Listing traditionally takes too long—63 days on average in Santa Clarita. Selling to a cash buyer through Empathy Estates closes in 7–14 days, no repairs needed.

Programs like Keep Your Home California once offered grants, but they’re no longer active. Legal aid through June 2025 can still assist with lender negotiations, though selling often proves the fastest way to move forward.

Why Choose Empathy Estates?

We’re not just another buyer. As wholesalers, we secure your home under contract and assign it to our network of LA County cash buyers, streamlining the process. You pay no fees, avoid repair costs, and get a fair cash offer tailored to Santa Clarita’s off-market deals. Plus, we cover 100% of your moving fees—whether you’re staying in Valencia or leaving Newhall—making your next step smoother.

For more on how we help, see our post on . Our approach is built for speed and empathy, ensuring you regain control.

Take Action Today

Pre-foreclosure doesn’t have to end in loss. With 200–300 Santa Clarita homes in this stage at any time, you’re not alone, and solutions are within reach. Explore your options, from counseling to selling, and consider what fits your timeline. Ready to sell your pre-foreclosure home in Santa Clarita and let us handle your moving costs.

Disclaimer: Empathy Estates LLC is not a real estate agency and does not provide real estate services. We connect property owners with cash buyers for informational purposes only. We are not licensed real estate agents or brokers. All transactions are handled by third-party professionals.

Previous
Previous

How to Avoid Foreclosure in Santa Clarita: A Step-by-Step Guide

Next
Next

How to Sell Your Santa Clarita Pre-Foreclosure Home Fast for Cash