Facing Foreclosure in Massachusetts?

You have more time and more options than you think. Massachusetts uses non-judicial foreclosure with a typical timeline of 270 days. This guide explains what's happening and what to do.

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Foreclosure Type

Non-Judicial

No court involvement required

Typical Timeline

270 Days

From first notice to sale

Redemption Period

Pre-Sale Only

Cure before sale only

Deficiency Judgment

Limited

Barred for non-judicial sales

Right to Cure

150 Days

Deadline to pay arrears

Mandatory Mediation

Required

Massachusetts Borrower Outreach and

Where are you right now?

I'm behind on payments You've missed one or more mortgage payments but haven't received a foreclosure notice I got a foreclosure notice You received a Notice of Default or a letter about foreclosure proceedings My sale date is soon Your home is scheduled to be sold at auction

Massachusetts ranks 35th in the nation for financial distress, with a State Distress Index score of 45 (Normal). The state's bankruptcy filing rate is 73 per 100,000 residents. Credit card delinquency stands at 10.33%. If you're struggling, you're not alone.

Source: Massachusetts Financial Distress Profile — American Default Research, updated 2026-04-16

Most Distressed Counties

County	Score	Zone
Hampden County	66.5	Serious
Bristol County	55.8	Elevated
Suffolk County	50.5	Elevated
Berkshire County	49.6	Normal
Worcester County	48.9	Normal

1 county in Serious or Crisis zones, 2 in Elevated.

See all 14 Massachusetts counties →

Massachusetts Foreclosure Timeline

Massachusetts's judicial process gives you more time than most states. Federal law protects you for the first 120 days.

Day 1–36

Missed payment. Your servicer must attempt to contact you by Day 36 to discuss options. Federal law (Regulation X).

Day 37–45

Written notice required. Your servicer must send written notice of loss mitigation options by Day 45. You can still apply for help.

Day 45–120

Protected period. Federal law prohibits your lender from starting foreclosure until Day 120. This is your window to apply for a loan modification or forbearance.

Day 120+

Foreclosure can begin. If you've received a Notice of Default, you're here. In Massachusetts, the lender must provide proper notice and follow state-specific publication requirements. You still have options — see what you can do.

Day 150–330

Foreclosure sale. The property is sold at public auction, typically at the county courthouse. The lender often buys it back.

After sale

No post-sale redemption. Massachusetts does not offer a post-sale redemption period. Once the sale is confirmed, the property transfers to the new owner. This makes it even more important to act before the sale date.

For a personalized timeline based on your last payment date, use our Foreclosure Timeline Calculator.

Your Rights Under Massachusetts Law

Right to Cure 150 days from receipt of the §35A notice — for first-lien residential mortgages on 1-4 unit owner-occupied properties. After 150 days, if the default has not been cured, the mortgagee may proceed with foreclosure. M.G.L. c. 244, §35A

Right to Reinstate Through the auction date — the borrower can stop the foreclosure by paying all amounts owed (full reinstatement) at any time before the auction, not just during the §35A period. In practice, servicers require reinstatement funds 3-5 business days before the scheduled auction to allow cancellation of proceedings. M.G.L. c. 244; mortgage terms

Mediation & Dispute Resolution in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Borrower Outreach and Mediation — HomeCorps Program (through SJC)

Administered by Massachusetts Attorney General's Office / Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts has a foreclosure mediation program administered through the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office HomeCorps program and the SJC's Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution. The program provides foreclosure mediation services to connect borrowers with servicers for structured loss mitigation discussions. Additionally, Massachusetts Housing Court judges frequently order mediation in post-foreclosure Summary Process (eviction) cases, providing a last-minute forum.

Program details

Your Options in Massachusetts

Every situation is different, but most Massachusetts homeowners have more options than they realize. Here are the paths available to you, from keeping your home to making a clean exit.

Can I keep my home?

Yes, if you act early enough. A loan modification permanently changes your mortgage terms to make payments affordable. Your servicer is required to evaluate you for one if you submit a complete application more than 37 days before a scheduled sale.

Forbearance gives you a temporary payment pause. It doesn't erase what you owe, but it buys time if your hardship is short-term. In Massachusetts, federal CFPB Regulation X requires servicers of federally-related mortgage loans to evaluate forbearance and all loss mitigation options during the 150-day cure period and before completing the foreclosure. MassHousing's Emergency Forbearance program assists borrowers with qualifying loans. Reinstatement means paying everything you owe (missed payments plus fees) to bring the loan current.

Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that halts foreclosure immediately. You can catch up on missed payments over 3-5 years while keeping your home. The bankruptcy filing rate in Massachusetts is 73 per 100,000 residents.

Massachusetts also requires mediation through the Massachusetts Borrower Outreach and Mediation — HomeCorps Program (through SJC) before your lender can proceed with foreclosure.

What if I can't keep my home?

Selling before foreclosure gives you control over the process and protects your credit score. A short sale lets you sell for less than you owe with lender approval. A deed in lieu of foreclosure transfers the property directly to the lender.

If you sell through a short sale in Massachusetts, you can negotiate a deficiency waiver as part of the approval. Short sales are available and important in Massachusetts because there is no general anti-deficiency protection.

A deed in lieu of foreclosure in Massachusetts transfers the property directly to the lender. Deed-in-lieu is available in Massachusetts with servicer approval and a property free of junior liens.

Massachusetts limits deficiency judgments — your lender's ability to pursue you for the balance is restricted by state law.

A distressed property specialist can help

An agent who works with distressed sellers in Massachusetts can negotiate with your lender, manage the short sale process, and help you walk away with your credit intact. The earlier you start, the more leverage you have.

Talk to one for free

My sale date is within 30 days

You still have options, but you need to move fast.

File for bankruptcy. A Chapter 13 filing triggers an automatic stay that stops the sale immediately. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney today.

Submit a loss mitigation application. If you haven't already, a complete application received more than 37 days before the sale forces your servicer to review it before proceeding.

Call a HUD counselor now. They can contact your servicer on your behalf and may be able to delay the sale. Call 1-800-569-4287.

Request mediation. Massachusetts's Massachusetts Borrower Outreach and Mediation — HomeCorps Program (through SJC) can give you additional time. Learn more.

Financial Assistance in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF)

Funds Available

Administered by MassHousing

Apply Visit program website

After the Sale in Massachusetts

Eviction Notice

30 Days

Court order required for removal

Surplus Funds

Check eligibility

Contact the court or trustee for details

Cash for Keys

May be available

Cash-for-keys is common in the Greater Boston metro (Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex counties), Worcester, and other Massachusetts urban markets.

After the foreclosure deed is recorded, if the former owner remains in possession, the new owner must serve a Notice to Quit (typically 30 days for former owners) and then file a Summary Process (eviction) complaint in Housing Court or District Court under M.G.L. c. The federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) requires at least 90 days' notice for bona fide tenants in any state.

Protect yourself from scams

People in financial distress are prime targets for fraud. Know these rules:

⚠

Never pay an upfront fee for help. Advance fees for mortgage or debt assistance are illegal in most states. If anyone asks for money before doing anything, walk away.

⚠

HUD-approved counseling is always free. Call 1-800-569-4287 or visit the CFPB counselor finder. If someone charges for what HUD counselors do for free, it's a scam.

⚠

Never sign over your deed without an attorney. "Equity stripping" and "sale-leaseback" scams trick homeowners into transferring their title. You could lose your home permanently.

⚠

Your servicer must evaluate you for loss mitigation. Under federal rules (Regulation X), servicers cannot start foreclosure until you're 120+ days delinquent, and must review your application before proceeding. If a company claims only they can "save" your home, verify through your actual servicer.

Report fraud: CFPB · FTC · your state attorney general's office.

How It Works

Tell us your situation

Answer a few questions about where you are in the process. Takes 60 seconds.

We review your options

A local professional reviews your situation based on Massachusetts law and your servicer's track record.

You get a plan

You receive a personalized action plan with next steps. No upfront fees. No obligation.

Foreclosure Timeline Calculator

See exactly when each step of Massachusetts's foreclosure process happens based on your last payment date.

Hardship Letter Generator

Write a loss mitigation request to your mortgage servicer. Pre-formatted with your situation details.

Get a Free, Confidential Review of Your Options in Massachusetts

A HUD counselor, attorney, or distressed property specialist in Massachusetts can review your specific situation. Many at no cost.

We connect you with HUD-approved counselors, legal aid, and distressed property specialists. We do not sell your information.

Free Resources in Massachusetts

HUD-Approved Counselors

37 certified agencies in Massachusetts provide free foreclosure prevention counseling. They can negotiate with your servicer on your behalf.

Find a counselor near you

Legal Aid

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal help to low-income residents facing foreclosure, eviction, and debt collection.

Find legal aid

Massachusetts Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service

The Massachusetts Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a foreclosure defense attorney. Initial consultations are often free or low-cost.

Find an attorney

Massachusetts Foreclosure Law

Detailed guide to Massachusetts's foreclosure statutes, homeowner protections, and redemption rights. Every claim cited to its source statute.

Read Massachusetts foreclosure law

File a Complaint

If your mortgage servicer violates your rights, file a complaint with the Massachusetts Division of Banks (DOB) or the Massachusetts Attorney General. You can also file with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

State financial regulator Attorney General CFPB complaint portal

MassHousing

Your state housing finance agency administers homeowner assistance programs, foreclosure prevention services, and affordable housing resources.

Visit MassHousing

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does foreclosure take in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts uses non-judicial foreclosure. The process typically takes 270 days from the first notice to the sale date. Federal law (Regulation X) prohibits lenders from starting foreclosure until Day 120 of delinquency.

Can I stop foreclosure once it starts in Massachusetts?

Yes. You have several options: (1) Reinstatement — pay all missed payments plus fees to bring your loan current. (2) Loan modification — your servicer must review a complete application received more than 37 days before a scheduled sale. (3) Forbearance — temporary payment pause. (4) Bankruptcy — triggers an automatic stay that halts the sale immediately. (5) Short sale — sell the property before the lender does.

Does Massachusetts require mediation before foreclosure?

Yes. Massachusetts offers the Massachusetts Borrower Outreach and Mediation — HomeCorps Program (through SJC), which can be requested by the homeowner. Mediation gives you a chance to negotiate directly with your lender under the supervision of a neutral third party. This can result in loan modifications, payment plans, or other alternatives to foreclosure.

Does Massachusetts allow deficiency judgments?

Massachusetts limits deficiency judgments. Your lender's ability to pursue you for the remaining balance is restricted by state law. Requirements may include fair market value credits or time limitations. See our Massachusetts foreclosure law guide for specific details.

Is foreclosure counseling free in Massachusetts?

Yes. There are 37 HUD-approved counseling agencies in Massachusetts. Call 1-800-569-4287 for a free referral. HUD counselors can negotiate with your servicer on your behalf at no cost to you. Find one near you.

What is the homestead exemption in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts's homestead exemption is $500,000. Important: this exemption does not protect your home from mortgage foreclosure. It only protects equity from unsecured creditors like credit card companies. It will not stop or slow a foreclosure.

What if I have an FHA, VA, or USDA loan in Massachusetts?

Government-backed loans have additional protections beyond Massachusetts state law. FHA loans require a face-to-face meeting attempt before foreclosure. VA loans require the servicer to explore all alternatives. USDA loans have their own loss mitigation process. These protections generally extend the timeline beyond the state minimums.

Is the Homeowner Assistance Fund still available in Massachusetts?

Yes. The Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) still has funds available. Apply here. HAF can cover past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities.

Can I do a short sale to avoid foreclosure in Massachusetts?

Yes. In Massachusetts, you can negotiate a deficiency waiver as part of a short sale approval. Short sales are available and important in Massachusetts because there is no general anti-deficiency protection. Get the waiver in writing before closing. A HUD-approved counselor can help negotiate the terms.

Last updated: 2026-04-16. Data sources: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, CFPB, U.S. Courts, Census Bureau, BLS, Massachusetts Code.

Massachusetts Foreclosure Facts