Understanding the Timeline of Missed Payments to Auction for Texas Homeowners

Miles Carter
Sep 3
2 min read

When you’re behind on your mortgage, it can feel like time is slipping away faster than you can catch it. In Texas, the foreclosure process moves quickly, so knowing the steps from that first missed payment to the auction block can help you make better decisions under pressure.

Missed Payments
Lender Contact and Early Warnings
Notice of Default / Acceleration
Notice of Sale
The Auction
What the Timeline Really Looks Like

Missed Payments

Foreclosure doesn’t start the moment you miss a payment, but technically you’re in default once that first one is missed. Most lenders give a short grace period, then tack on late fees. After 30 days, the payment is officially considered late and will show up on your credit report.

Lender Contact and Early Warnings

After 1–2 missed payments, lenders usually begin calling or sending letters. This is often the best window to work out a solution. Options like repayment plans or forbearance are easier to negotiate early in the process, before the formal legal steps begin.

Notice of Default / Acceleration

By the 3rd or 4th missed payment, many lenders issue a Notice of Default or Notice of Acceleration. This document essentially says: We want the full loan balance now, not just the late payments. It’s a serious red flag that foreclosure is on the horizon.

Notice of Sale

Texas law requires that a Notice of Sale be sent and posted at least 21 days before the foreclosure auction. The notice will include the date, time, and location of the sale. In Texas, foreclosure auctions are held on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Auction

On the scheduled date, your property can be auctioned at the county courthouse steps. Once it’s sold, your ownership ends. Unlike some states, Texas does not give you a redemption period to buy the home back after the sale.

What the Timeline Really Looks Like

From the first missed payment to the auction, the process can take as little as 90 to 120 days. A simple breakdown might look like this:

Month 1: First payment missed, late fees begin.
Month 2: Second payment missed, lender contact escalates.
Month 3: Notice of Default / Acceleration sent.
Month 4: Notice of Sale posted (21-day minimum notice).
Month 4 or 5: Auction occurs on the first Tuesday of the month.

The foreclosure clock in Texas ticks quickly. The earlier you understand the process and explore your options, the more control you’ll have over what happens next.

— Miles, Lone Star Home Buyers