National Real Estate Exam (PSI)FinancingEasy

A borrower defaults on a loan secured by a deed of trust that grants the trustee 'power of sale.' Because of this clause, the lender can foreclose without filing a lawsuit. What type of foreclosure process is this?

  1. AStrict foreclosure
  2. BDeed in lieu of foreclosure
  3. CNon-judicial foreclosure
  4. DJudicial foreclosure
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. Non-judicial foreclosure

A deed of trust with a power-of-sale clause allows the trustee to sell the property outside of court if the borrower defaults, which is a non-judicial foreclosure. Judicial foreclosure requires a court proceeding and is typically used with mortgages that lack a power-of-sale clause.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Strict foreclosure gives the lender title directly without a sale, not the scenario here.
  • B. A deed in lieu is a voluntary transfer by the borrower, not a foreclosure sale.
  • D. Judicial foreclosure requires going through the courts, which the power-of-sale clause avoids.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

A foreclosure process carried out by a trustee under a power-of-sale clause in a deed of trust, without court involvement.

  • Faster and cheaper than judicial foreclosure
  • Requires a deed of trust with power-of-sale language
  • Trustee conducts the public sale

Memory trick: Power of sale skips the judge's tale.

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