Homes with 1 to 4 Units · Gay-Lynn Chavez & Francisco Williams, CCIM
A foreclosure notice on your home is a hard thing to face. Here is the plain path. First, find out which notice you have. Then check your dates. Then compare your choices. We help owners of homes with 1 to 4 units across Southern California. Free first call. Plain answers, no pressure. Once you hire us as your agent, we represent you — not your lender.
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Pick the one that fits you. You will see your next steps.
California has a law called the Homeowner Bill of Rights. It covers a home of 1 to 4 units that the owner lives in. It sets rules on how your loan servicer contacts you. That is the company that collects your loan payments. It also limits moving ahead with a sale while the servicer reviews a complete application for help. Ask a HUD-approved housing counselor or a lawyer of your own how these rules apply to you.
Paths to Weigh Before the Sale Date
Each case is different. Here are the main paths owners in California look at.
We are real estate licensees, not a law firm, and we don't give legal or tax advice. If you need legal advice, we can refer you to an independent attorney.
Step-by-Step Guide
Our first review is free. We charge no upfront fees. Before you sign anything, we explain in writing how we are paid and what sale costs to expect.
You speak with Gay-Lynn Chavez or Francisco Williams, CCIM about your notice dates, loan balance, and goals.
We explain each option. One is reinstatement. That means catching up on the missed payments and costs so the loan is current again. Another is a lender workout. A workout is a new plan with your lender for paying the loan. You may also sell before the auction. A short sale is a sale for less than you owe, with your lender's written approval. A deed in lieu means giving the property back to the lender instead of an auction.
Once you hire us as your agent, we represent you — not your lender. We market the property to buyers. We put together the papers your lender asks for. We handle the escrow steps. Escrow is the neutral company that holds the money and papers until the sale closes.
Talk With Us · Free First Call
Plain answers, no pressure. Once you hire us as your agent, we represent you — not your lender.
We are real estate licensees, not a law firm, and we don't give legal or tax advice. If you need legal advice, we can refer you to an independent attorney.
Southern California Coverage · 7 Counties
California foreclosure rules come from state law (Civil Code §§2924–2924f). The Notice of Default is the first recorded notice. It starts the foreclosure clock. The Notice of Trustee's Sale sets your auction date. Both are recorded in the county where the property is. We serve these seven Southern California counties:
Notices of Default and Notices of Trustee's Sale are recorded with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in Norwalk.
Property types we review: Single-family homes, 2–4 unit residential properties, apartment buildings (5+ units), retail strips, industrial warehouses, and mixed-use buildings.
Default and sale notices are recorded with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana.
Property types we review: Residential homes, condos, coastal properties, commercial retail centers, medical offices, and light industrial buildings.
Notices are recorded with the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
Property types we review: Single-family homes, residential acreage, Inland Empire logistics and industrial properties, neighborhood retail, and land.
Notices are recorded with the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Property types we review: Residential homes, small multifamily properties, industrial yards, distribution facilities, and commercial corridors.
Notices are recorded with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.
Property types we review: Single-family homes, townhomes, multifamily apartment communities, retail pads, and office/industrial properties.
Notices are recorded with the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder in Ventura.
Property types we review: Owner-occupied homes, agricultural-adjacent residential properties, neighborhood commercial, and industrial buildings.
Notices are recorded with the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor.
Property types we review: Residential properties, small income properties, hospitality-adjacent commercial buildings, and mixed-use retail.