If you’re a property owner in Massachusetts and you’ve missed—or are about to miss—mortgage payments, you’re not alone. Between rising costs, job changes, medical issues, or family transitions, plenty of responsible people find themselves in this position. The key is understanding what actually happens next in MA, how fast things move, and what options you still have before the situation snowballs.
As a local house buyer working throughout Central Massachusetts, we see this play out every week. Let’s walk through the process clearly and realistically, without scare tactics or fluff.
Step 1: Missed Payments and Late Notices (30–90 Days)
Once you miss a mortgage payment, most lenders allow a short grace period. After that, late fees typically kick in, and you’ll start receiving notices by mail, email, or phone.
At this stage:
- Your loan is delinquent, not in foreclosure
- Your credit score may take a hit
- You still have full control of the property
Importantly, many owners in areas like Worcester, Auburn, and Shrewsbury wait too long here because they assume things will somehow work themselves out. Unfortunately, silence usually speeds things up rather than slows them down.
Step 2: Notice of Default and Right to Cure
After several missed payments—often around 90 days—the lender sends a Notice of Default. In Massachusetts, this is a critical moment because the state requires lenders to provide a Right to Cure period, usually 90 days.
During this time, you may be able to:
- Catch up on missed payments
- Negotiate a loan modification
- Sell the property before foreclosure begins
This window applies whether the property is in Dudley, Webster, Oxford, Millbury, Charlton, Sturbridge, Douglas, Sutton, Holden, West Boylston, Northborough, or Westborough.
Helpful resource:
Step 3: Massachusetts Is a Non-Judicial Foreclosure State
This is where MA differs from many other states. Massachusetts allows non-judicial foreclosure, meaning the lender does not need to take you to court to foreclose.
Instead:
- The lender follows statutory notice requirements
- A foreclosure auction date is scheduled
- Notices are published publicly
Once an auction date is set, time becomes extremely limited. At that point, many owners in Worcester County realize that listing traditionally isn’t realistic due to repairs, timelines, or uncertainty.
Learn more directly from the state:
Step 4: The Foreclosure Auction
If the situation isn’t resolved, the lender conducts a public foreclosure auction. Once that happens:
- Ownership transfers
- Any remaining equity may be reduced or eliminated
- Eviction proceedings may follow
This is the outcome most owners want to avoid—not just financially, but emotionally.
What Options Do You Have Before Foreclosure?
Even if you’re behind on payments, you often still have solid options—especially before an auction date is set.
Option 1: Sell the Property As-Is
Selling before foreclosure can:
- Stop the foreclosure process
- Protect remaining equity
- Avoid long-term credit damage
This is especially common for owners who say:
- “I don’t want to make repairs.”
- “I need certainty.”
- “I just want this handled quickly.”
Option 2: Loan Modification or Forbearance
Some lenders will work with you, but approval isn’t guaranteed—and the process can be slow.
Federal overview:
Option 3: Do Nothing (Not Recommended)
Unfortunately, doing nothing often leads to fewer choices, more stress, and worse financial outcomes.
How We Help at Heavenly Home Solutions, LLC
At Heavenly Home Solutions, LLC, we work with Massachusetts property owners to create clear, pressure-free solutions. We buy houses as-is, handle the timeline, and focus on certainty—especially when foreclosure is a concern.
If you’re behind on payments and want to understand your options, you can:
- Call or text 774-272-6604
- Email [email protected]
- Or schedule a quick, no-obligation call here:
https://calendly.com/heavenlyhomebuyers-info/15min
Even if selling isn’t the right move, we’re happy to talk through the situation so you can make an informed decision.