Redemption Period in California
In California, redemption depends on the sale type. For an ordinary deed-of-trust foreclosure, the trustee's sale is a non-judicial sale and there is generally no statutory post-sale redemption once the sale is complete (Civil Code §2924h). Judicial foreclosures are different and can carry a redemption period under Code of Civil Procedure §729.030. For county tax sales, the owner's right to redeem generally terminates at the close of business on the last business day before the sale date (Revenue and Taxation Code §3707). Educational only, verify the current rule with official California sources, the county, or a licensed California attorney. (Last reviewed June 2026.)
Deed-of-trust trustee sales: no ordinary post-sale redemption
Most California mortgage foreclosures use the non-judicial deed-of-trust process. Under Civil Code §2924h, the trustee's sale becomes final when the trustee accepts the last and highest bid, subject to the statute's payment and recording rules. Investors should treat the main borrower cure/reinstatement window as a pre-sale issue, not a post-sale redemption period. Confirm the exact file, because bankruptcy, litigation, sale postponement, or a judicial foreclosure path changes the risk profile.
Judicial foreclosure can be different (Code Civ. Proc. §729.030)
California can use judicial foreclosure in some cases. When the property is sold through a judicial foreclosure sale, Code of Civil Procedure §729.030 sets statutory redemption periods tied to the sale result, commonly 3 months if sale proceeds satisfy the secured debt and 1 year if they do not. Because judicial foreclosure is less common for ordinary deed-of-trust loans, confirm the actual foreclosure type before applying any redemption timeline.
Tax-sale redemption ends before the sale (Rev. & Tax. Code §3707)
For California county tax sales, Revenue and Taxation Code §3707 states that the right of redemption terminates at the close of business on the last business day before the sale date. That means a bidder at the tax sale is not usually underwriting a post-sale owner redemption window, but still must confirm county procedures, title issues, occupants, liens, and whether the sale has been postponed or rescinded.
California redemption at a glance (educational, verify with the statute)
| Deed-of-trust trustee sale | Judicial foreclosure | County tax sale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Civil Code §2924h | Code Civ. Proc. §729.030 | Rev. & Tax. Code §3707 |
| Redemption window | Generally none after completed sale | Usually 3 months or 1 year, depending on sale result | Ends before the sale date |
| Investor focus | Pre-sale diligence and sale finality | Court process and redemption timing | County tax-sale rules and title diligence |
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the redemption period in California?
- For an ordinary non-judicial deed-of-trust foreclosure, California generally has no statutory post-sale redemption after the trustee's sale is complete (Civil Code §2924h). Judicial foreclosure can carry a redemption period under Code of Civil Procedure §729.030, and county tax-sale redemption generally ends before the sale under Revenue and Taxation Code §3707. Verify the sale type before relying on any timeline.
- Can a California homeowner redeem after a trustee's sale?
- Generally no. In the ordinary non-judicial deed-of-trust process, the borrower's cure and reinstatement rights are pre-sale rights. Once the trustee's sale is completed under Civil Code §2924h, there is generally no post-sale statutory redemption period. Confirm the file for bankruptcy, litigation, or judicial foreclosure issues.
- Does California judicial foreclosure have a redemption period?
- Yes, it can. Code of Civil Procedure §729.030 sets redemption periods after a judicial foreclosure sale, commonly 3 months or 1 year depending on whether sale proceeds satisfy the secured debt. Judicial foreclosure is not the usual path for many California deed-of-trust loans, so verify the process first.
- When does California tax-sale redemption end?
- For a California county tax sale, Revenue and Taxation Code §3707 generally terminates the right of redemption at the close of business on the last business day before the sale date. Confirm the county's sale notice and any postponement before bidding.
- How should investors underwrite a California foreclosure bid?
- Confirm whether the sale is a trustee sale, judicial foreclosure, or county tax sale; verify title, liens, occupants, and repair scope; then model the bid with a maximum-bid calculator. Do not assume a redemption rule from another California sale type applies.