Foreclosure in Sussex County, NJ: Options Before the Sheriff's Sale

Step by step in Sussex County

1. 1

   Start with the notice of intent

   The notice from the lender explains the reason for foreclosure, the amount to cure, your right to sell or transfer title, and mediation. The court says you have 30 days from receipt to cure or request mediation. Mark the date on a calendar, and keep all the letters in one folder.

2. 2

   Check whether the cabin counts as a primary residence

   The court's mediation packet limits mediation to a home that is the owner's primary residence and has one to four units. A seasonal cottage or second home does not qualify on those terms. If you live there year-round, you may fit. Ask a counselor or attorney to confirm before you rely on it.

3. 3

   Call the counselor line

   For eligible owners the packet requires a trained counselor from the New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, reachable at 609-278-7508, at no cost. Counselors can also talk through a loan modification or other options even when mediation does not apply. Do not wait for the court date to start those conversations.

4. 4

   Answer the complaint on time

   After the notice period the lender may file, which creates a lis pendens. The court says the defendant has 35 days to file an answer. Missing it makes the case uncontested and keeps it with the Office of Foreclosure. A foreclosure attorney can say whether you have anything to raise.

5. 5

   Confirm sale dates by phone

   After judgment and a writ of execution, the sheriff has 150 days to auction the property. Each side may ask for two stays, with a fifth if both agree. Call the Sussex County Sheriff's Office at 973-579-0850 to learn the status of a given property, and ask your attorney about stays.

6. 6

   Plan for a seasonal property

   Kaizen's notes say seasonal cabin condition and remote-area infrastructure are common issues in the county. A buyer's lender may balk at a cabin with a failing foundation, poor access or erosion near the water. If you plan to sell before the auction, talk to an agent about whether financing is realistic.

Sussex County offices you may deal with

Sussex County foreclosure questions