Facing a trustee’s sale can feel overwhelming, especially when the auction date is already set. Many Arizona homeowners in Phoenix and Maricopa County call us with the same urgent question: “Can I buy more time?”
The good news is that in many cases, yes, there are ways to postpone a trustee’s sale. The key is acting quickly, knowing your options, and understanding how lenders and trustees handle requests.
What is a trustee’s sale in Arizona?
A trustee’s sale is the public auction where your home can be sold after foreclosure begins. In Arizona, once the Notice of Trustee’s Sale is recorded, the earliest possible sale date is 90 days later.
That 90-day period is the window when homeowners still have options. Postponements are possible, but they are not automatic.
When can a trustee’s sale be postponed?
Trustees and lenders may allow postponements under certain circumstances. Common reasons include:
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Active negotiation: If you are working on a loan modification, repayment plan, or forbearance.
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Pending short sale: If you have a signed purchase contract and the lender is reviewing it.
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Bankruptcy filing: A Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy triggers an “automatic stay” that usually halts foreclosure temporarily.
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Mutual agreement: Sometimes lenders will delay the auction by request if you can show a good-faith effort to resolve the situation.
How do you request a postponement?
If your auction is days away, here are steps that can help:
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Contact the trustee immediately. Their phone number is listed on your Notice of Trustee’s Sale. Ask about postponement procedures.
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Communicate with your lender. Explain your circumstances and provide documents showing an active workout plan, sale contract, or other resolution in process.
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File for bankruptcy if it is truly necessary. While not right for everyone, filing before the auction date usually pauses the sale.
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Request written confirmation. If the trustee agrees to postpone, ask for documentation of the new date.
For more detailed guidance, the Arizona Department of Housing offers resources on foreclosure timelines and assistance programs.
How long is a trustee’s sale postponed?
Postponements are typically short:
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30 days is common in Arizona.
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Some sales are postponed multiple times, depending on negotiations.
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If nothing changes, the home will eventually go back on the auction calendar.
The trustee is required to publicly announce any new sale date at the originally scheduled auction.
Can a trustee refuse to postpone the sale?
Yes. A trustee or lender is not obligated to grant an extension unless you have legal grounds (such as bankruptcy). This is why waiting until the last week or even the last day is risky.
One Glendale homeowner shared with us:
“I was just days away from losing my home at auction. Hope showed me the exact steps to get the trustee’s sale postponed. That guidance made all the difference and gave me the chance to sell my home and keep my equity.”
What if you need more than one postponement?
Trustees may grant more than one extension, but each request becomes harder. Lenders usually want to see real progress, like:
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Verified loan modification review
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Signed short sale offer
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Proof of bankruptcy filing
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A plan to close on a home sale
If you cannot show progress, you may run out of chances.
What happens if the sale is not postponed?
If the trustee refuses to postpone and you do nothing, your home will likely be sold at the auction. At that point, your options shrink dramatically. You may face eviction and the permanent loss of your property rights.
Key takeaway: act early to protect your options
Postponing a trustee’s sale in Arizona is possible, but it requires fast action and a clear plan. Whether through a loan modification, short sale, or bankruptcy, the sooner you act, the more likely you can gain extra time.
Hope, The Offer Company’s AI foreclosure assistant, is available right now to walk you through your options and help you take the next step.
