“Selling a Home in Washington With Foreclosure Looming: What to Expect”
Falling behind on mortgage payments can happen fast—sometimes from a job loss, medical expenses, divorce, or a sudden life change. If you’re in this position in Washington State, you’re likely stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of your options.
The good news is that you can sell your house, even if you’re behind on payments. In fact, selling before things get worse could be the smartest way to protect your credit, avoid foreclosure, and regain financial control.
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we specialize in working with Washington homeowners in these exact situations. We buy houses for cash, no matter the condition or situation, and we’re here to explain exactly how the process works when mortgage payments have fallen behind.
What Happens When You Miss Mortgage Payments in Washington?
In Washington State, mortgage lenders begin the nonjudicial foreclosure process when you fall behind, often after just 90 days of missed payments. Here’s how that process generally looks:
- 30 Days Late: You may receive a late fee and a warning letter from the lender.
- 60 Days Late: Expect more aggressive communication, including potential reporting to credit bureaus.
- 90+ Days Late: The lender can issue a Notice of Default and begin foreclosure proceedings under Washington’s Deed of Trust Act.
From this point, the foreclosure timeline moves quickly. If no resolution is reached, your home can be sold at a public auction within 120 days.
This is why time is critical. If you’re behind but haven’t been foreclosed on yet, you still have time to sell the house and stop the foreclosure.
Can You Sell a House With Missed Payments?
Yes—you can absolutely sell a home with missed mortgage payments in Washington. You’ll just need to pay the lender what’s owed at closing. This includes:
- The remaining loan balance
- Any back payments (arrears)
- Late fees or penalties
- Legal or foreclosure-related fees (if applicable)
If the sale price covers the total debt, the transaction can proceed just like any other home sale. And if you don’t have enough equity to cover what’s owed? You still have options, which we’ll cover below.
Traditional Sale vs. Cash Buyer: What’s the Better Option?
If you’re in default or heading that direction, a traditional home sale on the open market can be risky:
- Listing can take weeks to prepare
- Buyers may fall through due to inspections or financing
- The process can take 60–90+ days to close
- Delays could push your property into foreclosure
By contrast, selling to a cash home buyer like REI Branded Home Buyer can simplify the entire process:
- No listing or agents
- No commissions or hidden fees
- We pay cash and cover closing costs
- We buy homes in any condition—even those at risk of foreclosure
- We can close in as little as 7–14 days
When time is critical and foreclosure is looming, this speed can make all the difference.
What If You Don’t Have Enough Equity?
If you owe more than the home is worth, you may not have enough equity to sell without bringing money to closing. In these cases, a short sale or cash buyer negotiation may be possible.
Here’s how that works:
- You (or your buyer) submit an offer to the lender for less than the total owed.
- The lender evaluates the situation and may agree to accept the reduced amount.
- Once approved, the sale can proceed, and your mortgage is resolved.
REI Branded Home Buyer can help coordinate this with your lender. We’ve worked with homeowners across Washington who faced underwater mortgages and still found a way out through a fast, negotiated sale.
Selling a House in Pre-Foreclosure in Washington
If your lender has issued a Notice of Default but the foreclosure auction hasn’t happened yet, your home is in pre-foreclosure. This is one of the most critical windows to sell your home fast and stop the foreclosure in its tracks.
Selling during pre-foreclosure allows you to:
- Pay off the mortgage
- Avoid public foreclosure records
- Save your credit from long-term damage
- Walk away with potential cash or relief
We regularly work with Washington homeowners in pre-foreclosure. Whether you’ve received notices or are just behind on payments, we’ll help you understand your options and move quickly if you choose to sell.
Selling a Home in Washington With Foreclosure Looming: What to Expect
At REI Branded Home Buyer, our process is built for speed, clarity, and ease:
Step 1: Contact Us for a Free Cash Offer
We’ll look at your property details and make you a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
Step 2: We Handle the Paperwork
We work with Washington title companies and coordinate with your lender to calculate the exact payoff amount—no surprises.
Step 3: Close Quickly
We can close on your timeline, whether that’s 7 days or a little more time. We’ll make sure the mortgage is paid in full, and any remaining proceeds go to you.
Step 4: Move On
Once the home is sold, your mortgage is resolved. No more late fees, no more foreclosure risk.
Real Situations We’ve Helped With
Without using quotes or reviews, here are examples of homeowner challenges we’ve solved across Washington:
- In Spokane, a homeowner who lost their job fell 4 months behind on payments. We made a cash offer, closed in under 10 days, and paid off the mortgage before auction.
- In Pasco, a couple divorcing couldn’t afford the home alone. We helped them avoid foreclosure by purchasing the property and coordinating a full payoff.
- In Yakima, a homeowner with an inherited home couldn’t keep up with taxes and the mortgage. We bought the house as-is and helped resolve the mortgage lien quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my house even if I’ve already received a Notice of Default?
Yes! As long as the foreclosure auction hasn’t taken place, you can still sell and stop the foreclosure.
Do I need to repair my house before selling?
No. We buy houses in any condition, including homes with damage, code issues, or neglect.
How fast can you close?
We can typically close in 7 to 14 days, or on your schedule.
What if I owe more than my home is worth?
We can explore a short sale or other lender negotiation strategies. Let’s talk about your situation.
We Buy Houses Across Washington—Even If You’re Behind on Payments
At REI Branded Home Buyer, we help homeowners across Washington State—including Spokane, Kennewick, Yakima, and surrounding towns—sell quickly and privately, no matter how far behind they are on mortgage payments.
You don’t have to face foreclosure alone. We’ve helped hundreds of Washington sellers resolve difficult situations and move forward with confidence.
Ready to Get Help?
If you’re behind on payments and want to explore your options, reach out today for a fast, confidential consultation.
📞 509-769-3439
📧 info@reibrandedhomebuyer.com
🌐 reibrandedhomebuyer.com
Don’t wait for the foreclosure clock to run out—take the next step and let us help you get your life back on track.
Sell Your Washington House Fast Today
About REI Branded Home Buyer
Real People. Real Stories. Real Solutions. We’re George and TJ — two regular guys who teamed up to create REI Branded Home Buyer, a local company with one simple mission: to help people sell their homes without stress, games, or pressure. We actually met at a local real estate meetup. A mutual friend randomly shouted, “Hey George, do you want to be this guy’s mentor?” George laughed and said, “Just give him my cell!” A coffee meeting later, and the rest is history. We've been working together ever since. Our passion for helping homeowners comes from personal experience. George was once homeless, so he deeply understands what it’s like to face housing uncertainty. TJ’s family went through a crisis and had to sell their home fast — with the help of a cash homebuyer. Those experiences shaped who we are and inspired us to create a company that treats people the way we wish we’d been treated. Let’s be real: the real estate world is full of shady companies, pushy salespeople, and sleazy homebuyers who care more about profit than people. We started REI Branded Home Buyer because we believe it should be the other way around — people first, profit second. We’re proud to call Spokane home. Our wives, Jenny and Michelle, love the slower pace of life here and all the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer. George and Jenny have two amazing daughters and two dogs — they love to travel and recently visited Japan to see their daughter abroad. TJ and Michelle are outdoor lovers through and through — backpacking, hiking, hunting, fishing, even rock climbing. Michelle’s become quite the mountaineer! If you’re thinking about selling a house — no matter the reason — we’d love to hear your story and see how we can help.