The Foreclosure Process and Laws in Virginia

If you default on your home loan payments in Virginia, the servicer (on behalf of the loan owner, called the "lender" in this article) will eventually begin the foreclosure process. The method will likely be nonjudicial, although judicial foreclosures are also allowed.

Virginia law specifies how nonjudicial procedures work, and both federal and state laws give you rights and protections throughout the foreclosure.

Mortgage Loans in Virginia

When you get a loan to buy residential real estate in Virginia, you'll likely sign two documents: a promissory note and a deed of trust.

Promissory Note

The promissory note is the document that contains your promise to repay the loan along with the repayment terms.

Deed of Trust

The deed of trust, which is very similar to a mortgage, is the document that gives the lender a security interest in the property and will probably include a power of sale clause. If you fail to make the payments, the power of sale clause gives the lender the right to sell the home nonjudicially to recoup the money it loaned you.

What Happens if You Miss a Mortgage Payment

If you miss a payment, the servicer can usually charge a late fee after the grace period expires. Most mortgage loans give a grace period of ten to fifteen days, for example, before you incur late charges. Review the promissory note or your monthly billing statement to find out the grace period in your situation and the amount of the late fee.

If you miss a few mortgage payments, the servicer will probably send letters and call you to try to collect.

What Are My Foreclosure Rights in Virginia?

In a foreclosure, you usually get specific rights under federal and state law, such as the right to pursue a loss mitigation option and, in most cases, certain contractual rights, like the right to get a breach letter.

Loss Mitigation

Federal mortgage servicing laws require the servicer to contact you (or attempt to contact you) by phone to discuss foreclosure alternatives, called "loss mitigation" options, no later than 36 days after a missed payment and again within 36 days after each following missed payment. (12 C.F.R. § 1024.39).

No more than 45 days after a missed payment, the servicer must let you know in writing about loss mitigation options that could be available and assign personnel to help you. These requirements have a few exceptions, like if you file for bankruptcy or tell the servicer not to contact you under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. (12 C.F.R. § 1024.39).

What Is a Breach Letter?

Many deeds of trust in Virginia have a provision that requires the lender to send a breach letter if you fall behind in payments. This notice tells you that the loan is in default.

If you don't cure the default, the lender can accelerate the loan (call it due) and proceed with the foreclosure.

When Does Foreclosure Start?

Federal law generally requires the servicer to wait until the loan is over 120 days delinquent before officially starting a foreclosure.

However, the foreclosure can begin sooner in a few situations, like if you violate a due-on-sale clause or if the servicer is joining the foreclosure action of a superior or subordinate lienholder. (12 C.F.R. § 1024.41).

Foreclosure Process and Laws in Virginia

Foreclosures in Virginia are usually nonjudicial. But judicial foreclosures are also allowed.

Judicial Foreclosure Process

A judicial foreclosure begins when the lender sues a delinquent borrower in court. To start the lawsuit, the lender (the plaintiff) files a document called a "complaint for foreclosure" or "petition for foreclosure" in court and serves it to the borrower along with a summons. The case then goes through the litigation process.

Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process

Generally, in a nonjudicial foreclosure, the foreclosure happens with little or no court oversight. A Virginia nonjudicial foreclosure has no court involvement.

What Are the Steps in Virginia's Nonjudicial Foreclosure Process?

Again, most Virginia foreclosures are nonjudicial. Virginia law doesn't require a lender to do much to complete an out-of-court foreclosure. The minimal steps required include: sending you one notice and publishing a notice of the sale in a newspaper.

Notice of the Foreclosure

Before a foreclosure sale can occur, the lender or trustee has to serve (mail) a notice of sale to you (the homeowner) no less than 60 days (previously, state law required 14 days) before the sale if the home is owner-occupied and must include information about legal aid and how to contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. (Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-321).

Publication in a Newspaper

The lender or trustee also has to publish the notice of sale in a newspaper in the manner specified in the loan contract, though not less than once per week for two weeks or three days if published on consecutive days. If the loan agreement doesn't give publishing requirements, the notice must be published once per week for four weeks, or on five consecutive days. (Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-322).

The Foreclosure Sale

The sale, which is an auction, may be held no earlier than eight days after the first advertisement and no more than 30 days after the last advertisement is published. (Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-322).

Right to Reinstate Before the Foreclosure Sale in Virginia

"Reinstating" is when a borrower pays the overdue amount, plus fees and costs, to bring the loan current and stop a foreclosure.

Virginia law doesn't provide the borrower with a right to reinstate the loan. But the deed of trust you signed when taking out the loan might provide a deadline for completing a reinstatement. You can also call your loan servicer and ask if the lender will let you reinstate.

Deficiency Judgments Following the Sale in Virginia

Sometimes, a foreclosure sale doesn't bring in enough money to pay off the full amount owed on the loan. The difference between the sale price and the total debt is called a "deficiency balance."

Many states, including Virginia, allow the lender to get a personal judgment, called a "deficiency judgment," for this amount against the borrower. The lender must file a separate lawsuit after the foreclosure sale to get a deficiency judgment.

Is There a Foreclosure Redemption Period in Virginia?

Some states have a law that gives a foreclosed homeowner time after the foreclosure sale to redeem the property. Virginia, however, doesn't have a law providing a post-sale redemption period. So, you won't be able to redeem the home following a foreclosure.

When You Have to Move Out After a Virginia Foreclosure

After a Virginia nonjudicial foreclosure, the purchaser that bought the home at the foreclosure sale may start a separate unlawful detainer (eviction) action. The foreclosed homeowner might get a five-day notice to quit (leave).

While you can stay in the property until you're forcibly removed through the eviction process, it's generally best to leave before the deadline to move out given in the notice to quit expires.

Read More Articles

Learn about the statute of limitations for foreclosure.

Get information about how filing for bankruptcy affects a foreclosure.

Getting Help from a Virginia Foreclosure Lawyer

Foreclosure laws are complicated. Servicers and lenders sometimes make errors or forget steps. If you think your servicer or lender failed to complete a required step, made a mistake, or violated state or federal foreclosure laws, you might have a defense that could force a restart to the foreclosure, or you might have leverage to work out an alternative.

Consider talking to a local foreclosure attorney or legal aid office immediately to learn about your rights. A lawyer can also tell you about different ways to avoid foreclosure.

Likewise, a HUD-approved housing counselor can provide helpful information (at no cost) about various alternatives to foreclosure.