New Jersey had the seventh-highest foreclosure rate in the country in the first half of 2026, with 8,269 properties hit, according to ATTOM. If you fall behind, the lender must send a notice of intention to foreclose first, and you get 30 days to cure. That notice starts a clock you can use.
Where Does New Jersey Rank for Foreclosures in 2026?
ATTOM’s 2026 Mid-Year Foreclosure Market Report ranks New Jersey seventh nationally, at 0.22% of housing units. ATTOM counted 8,269 New Jersey filings in the first half of 2026, up 21.14% from the same period in 2025. That matches the national increase of 21%.
Here is how New Jersey compares with other top-ten states where Byrd and Co buys homes:
| State | H1 2026 rank | Rate | H1 2026 filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 3rd | 0.25% | 7,408 |
| Delaware | 4th | 0.25% | 1,148 |
| New Jersey | 7th | 0.22% | 8,269 |
| Ohio | 8th | 0.20% | 10,698 |
| Maryland | 9th | 0.19% | 4,985 |
Source: ATTOM 2026 Mid-Year Foreclosure Market Report. New Jersey has more filings than Indiana and Delaware, but those states have higher rates relative to their housing stock. See our posts on Indiana, Delaware and Maryland.
How Does Foreclosure Work in New Jersey?
New Jersey is a judicial foreclosure state, so the lender must go to court. Per Nolo’s New Jersey foreclosure guide, these are the main steps and deadlines:
- You fall behind. Federal rules generally keep a servicer from starting foreclosure until the loan is more than 120 days delinquent.
- The lender sends a Notice of Intention to Foreclose. Under the Fair Foreclosure Act, it goes out by certified or registered mail at least 30 and no more than 180 days before the complaint is filed. You have 30 days to cure.
- The lender files the complaint. You have 35 days after service to answer, according to Nolo.
- Mediation may be available. Nolo says you can generally ask for foreclosure mediation within 60 days of receiving the complaint, and that the program was made permanent in 2019.
- The sheriff’s sale follows. It must happen within 150 days of the sheriff receiving the writ. You can get one two-week postponement for a fee, and sales can be adjourned up to five times in total.
- You can object after the sale. You have 10 days to file an objection, and Nolo says you can redeem until the court confirms the sale if objections are filed.
If the sale brings in less than you owe, the lender can sue for the difference, called a deficiency judgment. Nolo says it must file within three months of the sale.
Court rules change, and your timeline depends on your own paperwork. Treat these dates as a guide and confirm them with a housing counselor or attorney. This is general education, not legal advice.
Is There Free Foreclosure Help in New Jersey?
Yes. The New Jersey Judiciary describes a pre-foreclosure mediation program for residential homeowners who are not in litigation and who are behind or at risk of falling behind. Its 2023 announcement says the program is free. You can call 609-421-6100 for assistance, and the court says you have 30 days from receiving a notice of intent to foreclose to pay or make other arrangements with the lender.
Low-income homeowners can also call the Statewide Legal Assistance Hotline run by Legal Services of New Jersey at 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529). Program details can change, so call to confirm what is available today.
Can You Stop a New Jersey Foreclosure Before the Sheriff’s Sale?
| Option | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cure within the 30-day notice period | You can catch up quickly | The notice date is your starting line, so keep the envelope |
| Mediation or loan modification | You want to keep the home and can afford a changed payment | Court deadlines keep running; ask about timing |
| List with an agent | The home is in good shape and you have months | A buyer’s mortgage must close before the sale date, and rates are high; see our post on 7.40% mortgage rates |
| Sell for cash, as-is | You need speed or the home needs repairs | Compare offers and ask how each number is calculated |
New Jersey sellers also face the state’s graduated mansion tax on higher-priced sales. We break it down in New Jersey’s mansion tax: what sellers owe.
Can You Sell Your New Jersey House Before the Sheriff’s Sale?
Yes. You can sell a home that is in foreclosure, and the sale proceeds pay off the mortgage. If your home is worth more than you owe, selling before the auction keeps the equity in your pocket and avoids a possible deficiency judgment. Read our guide on selling a house in foreclosure for the full picture.
With Byrd and Co, a New Jersey cash sale typically works like this: you contact us, we review the home as-is, you get a no-obligation cash offer, and we can close in as little as one to two weeks. There are no repairs and no showings. We buy across the state, from Bergen and Essex counties to Camden, Burlington and Atlantic counties. Visit our New Jersey page or our foreclosure prevention resources.
Know a New Jersey neighbor, coworker or family member who just got a notice of intention to foreclose? Our Refer and Earn program pays you $500 once their sale closes, no fees and no limit. Send them our way.
Worried about a foreclosure notice on your New Jersey home? Talk to the Byrd and Co team, no pressure, just real answers. Get your no-obligation cash offer and see your numbers while you still have time to choose.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Foreclosure
Is New Jersey a judicial foreclosure state?
Yes. New Jersey lenders must file a lawsuit in court and win a judgment before the sheriff can sell the home. The process starts with a Notice of Intention to Foreclose.
How long do I have to cure a default in New Jersey?
You have 30 days to cure after receiving the Notice of Intention to Foreclose, according to Nolo and the New Jersey Judiciary. The lender must send it 30 to 180 days before filing the complaint.
How long do I have to answer a foreclosure complaint in New Jersey?
Nolo says you have 35 days after service to answer the complaint. Missing the deadline can lead to a default judgment.
Does New Jersey have a foreclosure mediation program?
Yes. Nolo says homeowners can generally request mediation within 60 days of receiving the complaint. The New Jersey Judiciary also runs a free pre-foreclosure mediation program; call 609-421-6100.
Can I sell my house in New Jersey if it is in foreclosure?
Yes. You can sell before the sheriff’s sale, and the proceeds pay off the loan. A cash sale is often the fastest route when your sale date is close.
