Foreclosures · MI
Michigan foreclosures by county
Short answer: Michigan forecloses mostly without a court case, and the process ends at a sheriff sale, typically 2 to 3 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 Michigan county, each with its own page on pre-foreclosure filings, the sheriff sale and the owners to reach before it.
Counties covered
83
Each with its own foreclosure page.
Process
Non-judicial
Ends at a sheriff sale.
After the sale
Redemption after sale
Yes: 6 months after the sale for most homes (1 year for agricultural or low-balance cases).
Every Michigan county
Largest first, by Census population.
Michigan foreclosure at a glance
The essentials for finding and working foreclosures. The full process, owner rights and law detail are in the Michigan foreclosure laws guide.
| Process | Non-judicial. Most run under a power of sale, without a court case. |
|---|---|
| The auction | A sheriff sale, conducted by the county sheriff. |
| Typical timeline | 2 to 3 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 | Yes: 6 months after the sale for most homes (1 year for agricultural or low-balance cases). |
| Deficiency | Allowed. |
Michigan foreclosure FAQ
Where are Michigan 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 Michigan foreclosure auctions sheriff sales or trustee sales?
Sheriff sales. Michigan forecloses by advertisement, and the county sheriff conducts the sale. Upcoming sales appear in published notices and often on each sheriff's own sale list, county by county. The notice sets the deposit, the payment deadline and any opening bid.
How do I get a Michigan 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 83 Michigan counties: scan any ZIP to see owners in pre-foreclosure and at auction, ranked by how close the sheriff sale is and how much equity they hold.
How long do Michigan owners have before the sheriff sale?
Typically 2 to 3 months from the first filing, uncontested. Foreclosure by advertisement is fast, but the 6 month redemption keeps occupants in place well after the auction. 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 Michigan home before the foreclosure auction?
Yes, from the owner directly. Until the sheriff sale 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 Michigan 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.