Foreclosures · MA
Massachusetts foreclosures by county
Short answer: Massachusetts forecloses mostly without a court case, and the process ends at a foreclosure auction, typically 3 to 6 months after the first filing. Filings are recorded in each county's land records office (the recorder, register of deeds or clerk, depending on the county). Below is every Massachusetts county, each with its own page on pre-foreclosure filings, the foreclosure auction and the owners to reach before it.
Counties covered
14
Each with its own foreclosure page.
Process
Non-judicial
Ends at a foreclosure auction.
After the sale
None after the sale
None after the foreclosure sale.
Every Massachusetts county
Largest first, by Census population.
| County | County seat | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County foreclosures | Cambridge | 1,630,000 |
| Worcester County foreclosures | Worcester | 866,000 |
| Essex County foreclosures | Salem | 809,000 |
| Suffolk County foreclosures | Boston | 797,000 |
| Norfolk County foreclosures | Dedham | 726,000 |
| Bristol County foreclosures | Taunton | 580,000 |
| Plymouth County foreclosures | Plymouth | 533,000 |
| Hampden County foreclosures | Springfield | 466,000 |
| Barnstable County foreclosures | 232,570 | |
| Hampshire County foreclosures | 165,399 | |
| Berkshire County foreclosures | 128,726 | |
| Franklin County foreclosures | 70,871 | |
| Dukes County foreclosures | 21,061 | |
| Nantucket County foreclosures | 14,670 |
Massachusetts foreclosure at a glance
The essentials for finding and working foreclosures. The full process, owner rights and law detail are in the Massachusetts foreclosure laws guide.
| Process | Non-judicial. Most run under a power of sale, without a court case. |
|---|---|
| The auction | A public foreclosure auction, run by the officer state law assigns and named in the notice of sale. |
| Typical timeline | 3 to 6 months from first filing to sale, uncontested. |
| Where filings are recorded | In each county's land records office (the recorder, register of deeds or clerk, depending on the county). |
| Redemption | None after the foreclosure sale. |
| Deficiency | Allowed with strict pre-sale notice. |
Massachusetts foreclosure FAQ
Where are Massachusetts foreclosure filings recorded?
Notices of default or sale are recorded in each county's land records office (the recorder, register of deeds or clerk, depending on the county), or published and posted, as state law requires. The deed after the sale is recorded in the same place. Each county page below says where to look and what each document shows.
Are Massachusetts foreclosure auctions sheriff sales or trustee sales?
Neither name fits exactly. Massachusetts auctions are run by whoever state law assigns to the process, and the published notice of sale names that officer along with the date, time, place and terms. Search the county page for where those notices appear.
How do I get a Massachusetts pre-foreclosure list?
Counties record the filings but rarely publish them as a list. Pre-foreclosure lists are compiled from those records. LowBaller covers all 14 Massachusetts counties: scan any ZIP to see owners in pre-foreclosure and at auction, ranked by how close the foreclosure auction is and how much equity they hold.
How long do Massachusetts owners have before the foreclosure auction?
Typically 3 to 6 months from the first filing, uncontested. A Servicemembers Civil Relief Act court filing accompanies most sales without making the process judicial. During that time the owner keeps title and can sell, which is why the weeks after a filing are when a private offer matters most.
Can I buy a Massachusetts home before the foreclosure auction?
Yes, from the owner directly. Until the foreclosure auction the owner holds title, so a sale that pays off the loan stops the foreclosure. You can inspect and run title, which the auction rarely allows, and an owner with equity keeps the difference instead of losing it at the sale.
Keep going
See who is in pre-foreclosure in your Massachusetts county today.
Scan your market freeInformational summary, not legal advice. Foreclosure process, timelines, redemption and deficiency rules are summarized at the state level and change by statute and court rule. The published notice of sale controls every date and term. Homeowners facing foreclosure should speak with an attorney or a HUD-approved housing counselor.