If you live in Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, or Essex County and have fallen behind on your mortgage, you’re not alone. The latest sheriff’s foreclosure dockets show dozens of homes scheduled for auction every week between August and October 2025 📅.
From Newark to Ridgewood, Paterson to Montvale, and Sparta to Livingston, distressed properties are hitting the auction block. Judgment amounts range from $50,000 to over $700,000, and in many cases, the homeowners could have walked away with money in their pockets if they had acted sooner 💰.
Why Selling Before Foreclosure Matters 🔑
Once your home reaches a sheriff’s sale, the bank is no longer negotiating. By selling before the auction date:
- You protect your credit 📉 Foreclosure stays on your record for 7 years.
- You may walk away with equity 💵 Especially if your home’s market value is higher than your mortgage payoff.
- You control the sale 📝 No public auction announcements, no strangers walking through at an open sale.
The Clock Is Ticking in North Jersey ⏳
Looking at the current docket:
- Bergen County has properties set for auction in Teaneck, Englewood, Wyckoff, Fort Lee, and Montvale, many valued well above $500,000.
- Passaic County is seeing foreclosure activity in Paterson, Clifton, Wayne, and Passaic, often with mid-six figure judgments.
- Sussex County has fewer cases, but auctions in Sparta, Vernon, Newton, and Andover include homes with $300,000 to $700,000 in debt.
- Essex County remains the foreclosure hot spot, with scheduled sales in Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Livingston, and Bloomfield that include everything from condos to multifamily investment properties.
These numbers tell a simple truth: if you wait until the sheriff sale, you lose negotiating power.
Your Selling Options Before Foreclosure 🏡
- Traditional Listing – If there’s enough time before the auction date, a full-market listing can attract top dollar and give you the equity you need for a fresh start.
- Investor or Cash Buyer Sale – For homes needing repairs or when time is short, a cash buyer can close in days, often avoiding the auction entirely.
- Short Sale – If you owe more than your home is worth, your lender may approve a short sale to avoid the cost and delay of foreclosure.
A Real Example from the Current Docket 📊
One Bergen County home in Ridgewood scheduled for September 5th carries a judgment of over $600,000. Market data suggests it could sell for closer to $850,000 in today’s market, meaning the homeowner could still walk away with substantial equity even after paying off the mortgage and closing costs.
This scenario is not unique. Many homes on the docket in Montvale, Livingston, and Clifton are in the same position: valuable real estate headed to auction when a pre-foreclosure sale could leave the owner in a far better place financially.
How We Help North Jersey Homeowners 🤝
As a North Jersey real estate professional specializing in distressed property sales, I work directly with homeowners, attorneys, and lenders to find solutions before the sheriff sale. This can include:
- Providing a free property valuation to determine if you have equity
- Connecting you with buyers ready to move fast
- Coordinating with your lender to stop or postpone the auction
The goal: turn auction block into fresh start.
The Bottom Line 📢
If your home is listed on an upcoming sheriff’s docket or if you’ve received a foreclosure notice, you still have options. The earlier you take action, the more control you have over the outcome.
Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Essex Counties are seeing a surge in foreclosure filings. Do not wait for your property to appear on that list.
📞 Call or text me today at 201-214-1349 for a confidential consultation. Let’s talk about how to sell before the bank takes your home.
