Mortgage Foreclosure in Minnesota

1. How is a mortgage foreclosed in Minnesota?mortgage will be foreclosed by sale by providing
In Minnesota there are essentially two ways thatsix weeks published notice in a legal newspaper.
a mortgage can be foreclosed. The first way toAdditionally, this notice must be served personally
foreclose is through the process of foreclosure byon the occupant of the property at least four
action. In this process, the mortgage holder files aweeks before the sale. The notice must contain
lawsuit in district court against the homeownerthe date of mortgage, when and where recorded
and any others claiming an interest in theor registered, the amount due on the mortgage,
property. The matter will proceed with the timingthe time and place of sale, and time allowed for
of a normal lawsuit. If successful, the court willthe property owner to redeem after the sale
enter judgment of an amount due with costs andamong other things.
disbursements and order the sale of the property4. What happens at a sale?
by the sheriff in order to satisfy this judgment.Essentially, the sheriff or deputy auctions the
The sheriff will conduct a "sheriff's sale" describedproperty being foreclosed to the highest bidder.
below.The sheriff or deputy will deliver to the purchaser
Foreclosure by Advertisement. The second and(usually the mortgage holder) a Certificate of Sale,
most common way for a mortgagee to foreclosewhich will be recorded within twenty days after
on a mortgage on Minnesota property is throughthe sale and operates as a conveyance of the
the process referred to as foreclosure byforeclosed property after the property owner's
advertisement. Essentially, foreclosure byredemption period expires.
advertisement allows the mortgagee to publish in5. May the foreclosed property owner regain title
a legal newspaper that the mortgage is in defaultto the property after the sale?
and that a sale of the property subject to theYes. In most cases, the foreclosed property
mortgage will be held on a specific date. If theowner has six months to redeem the foreclosed
property owner fails to cure the default beforeproperty from the purchaser at the sale. To
the sale, the sheriff will conduct a "sheriff's sale"exercise their right to redeem the property, the
described below.foreclosed property owner must pay the
2. When is mortgage foreclosure bypurchaser the amount of the sale plus interest
advertisement available?from the time of the sale. In some instances, this
A mortgagee may foreclose through theredemption period will extend up to one year
advertisement process if the mortgage contains aafter the sale of the property has occurred.
permission to foreclose by advertisement (mostUsually this redemption is completed by refinancing
mortgages do) and there is a default in a conditionthe property or by selling the property within the
of the mortgage. Additionally, the mortgage mustredemption period.
have been recorded or duly registered. (Most are.)6. Does the property owner have the ability to
3. What notice must be provided in order toreinstate the defaulted mortgage prior to the
foreclose by advertisement?foreclosure sale?
The mortgage holder must publish notice that the