Reach out privately
Call, text or fill out the form. Tell Scott which letter you got and when. Nothing gets filed, and no one finds out.
Short sale & foreclosure help · California City to BishopBehind on your mortgage? Sell on your terms, before the auction decides for you.
From California City to Bishop and every town in between, like Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Randsburg, Olancha, Lone Pine and Independence, a home that goes to foreclosure gets sold at a public auction to the highest bidder. A short sale lets you sell first, to a normal buyer, on a move-out date you choose. One private call shows you every choice you still have.
- Free and private. No pressure.
- $0 upfront. Ever.
- Often owe nothing after*
- A local agent, not a call center
*On most 1–4 unit homes under California law (CCP 580e). Not guaranteed. See the questions below.
Scott K. MillerREALTOR® · CA DRE #02152150
Epique RealtyLicensed brokerage
CA DRE #02152150Scott K. Miller, REALTOR®
Lives in RidgecrestNot a call center
$0 upfrontRequired by California law
California City to BishopPlus Mojave to Tehachapi
How it works
Three steps. You decide every one.
Get your real options
Scott reads your notice, checks what your home is really worth today, and lays out every choice, including the ones that don't involve him.
Choose your way out
Catch up, get new loan terms, sell, or do a short sale. If you pick a short sale, Scott lists the home and works the bank until it says yes.
A short sale, in plain words
- You owe more than your house is worth, or can't keep up.
- The bank agrees to take less than you owe.
- A regular buyer buys it. You pick the move-out date.
- You move on. On most homes, you owe nothing more.
Your foreclosure timeline
How much time do you have?
Pick the newest paper you got. You'll see how many days are left, which options are still open, and what to do this week.
The newest paper you got
Example loaded: a notice recorded 45 days ago. Change it to your date.
Can't find the date? Text a photo of page 1 to (760) 264-3501 and Scott will read it with you.
Still time to plan
—days until the earliest possible auction
What you can still do
Do this week
Uses the shortest times California law allows (Civil Code 2924 and 2924f). Your real date may be later, never sooner. Not legal advice.
Get my free options reviewSame house, two futures
Short sale vs. foreclosure
Short sale with ScottForeclosure auction
Who's in chargeYou. You pick the buyer, price and move-out date.The bank's agent, selling to a cash bidder in Bakersfield
Money you still oweOn most 1–4 unit homes, none (CCP 580e). Scott asks for it in writing.Depends on your loan and how the bank forecloses
Moving helpSome banks pay you to move. Scott asks.A notice to move out, and a deadline
Your creditStill a hit, but you can often buy again soonerA foreclosure on your record
PrivacySold like any other house in townYour address in the newspaper 3 weeks in a row
Cost to youUsually $0. The bank usually pays the agent's fee.You lose the house and any say in it
No bank has to approve a short sale, and nothing is guaranteed. A short sale does not stop an auction by itself. Ask a tax pro about taxes and a lawyer about legal questions. Free help: HUD housing counselor, 1-800-569-4287.
About Scott K. Miller
"I'm not the right agent for everyone. I'm the one who gets you real numbers and lays out every option."
Before real estate, I spent years managing retail stores in the wireless industry, worked as a food vendor, and worked in radio, including right here in Ridgecrest. Now I help my neighbors buy and sell. I don't pretend to know everything. If you need a lender, contractor, inspector, lawyer or tax pro, I'll give you a few good names, and you pick the one you're comfortable with.
Walks your home and fights a low bank price with real Ridgecrest sales
Knows what buyers here ask about: 2019 quake repairs, roofs, swamp coolers, septic and wells
Understands how China Lake contracts and military orders move this market
BrokerageEpique Realty
LicenseCA DRE #02152150
PodcastReal Estate with Rachel & Mr. Miller
Based inRidgecrest, CA
Going through a divorce?
Both owners must cooperate, or a short sale can't happen.
If both names are on the house or the loan, both of you must sign and both must send the bank your paperwork. If one person won't cooperate, it cannot move forward at all. If you're stuck, talk to your divorce lawyer first. A judge may be able to order the sale.
On the sale, Scott works for both of you equally. He can't take sides in the divorce, give divorce advice, or share one person's private information with the other. Questions about who gets what go to your lawyers.
Serving Inyo County & Eastern Kern
From California City to Bishop. One local agent.
California law says a foreclosure auction happens in the county where the home sits. So where your home could be auctioned depends on your county. Scott also serves Mojave, Boron, Rosamond, Tehachapi and Lake Isabella.
Inyo County
Bishop · Big Pine · Independence · Lone Pine · Olancha
Where foreclosures are auctionedInside Inyo CountyYour Notice of Trustee's Sale lists the exact place and time.
Kern County
Ridgecrest · China Lake Acres · Inyokern · Randsburg · Johannesburg · California City · Mojave · Boron · Rosamond · Tehachapi · Lake Isabella
Where foreclosures are auctionedBakersfield City Hall1501 Truxtun Ave, usually 10 AM. About 2 hours from Ridgecrest.
Rule: Civil Code 2924g requires a trustee sale to be held in the county where the property is located.
Straight answers
Questions people ask first
Don't see yours? Text it to (760) 264-3501.
Get my free options reviewDoes it cost anything to talk to you?
No. The call is free and private. In a short sale, the bank usually pays the agent's fee from the sale, so most people pay nothing. In California, no one is allowed to charge you upfront for foreclosure help.
Where are Ridgecrest foreclosure auctions held?
At the front of Bakersfield City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, usually at 10 AM. Your auction notice lists the exact date, time and place. Homes in Inyo County (Bishop, Independence, Lone Pine) are auctioned inside Inyo County instead.
How long does foreclosure take?
After the bank records its Notice of Default, it must wait at least 3 months to set an auction date, then give at least 20 days' warning. The fastest is about 4 months. Many take longer because banks push dates back.
Will I still owe the bank money afterward?
On most homes with 1 to 4 units, no. California law (CCP 580e) says the bank can't come after you for what's left after a short sale. Scott asks the bank to put it in writing. Check your case with a lawyer, and ask a tax pro about taxes.
I already have an auction date. Is it too late?
Maybe not, but every day counts. A short sale doesn't stop an auction by itself, and the bank doesn't have to wait. Text the date to (760) 264-3501 right now.
Can I stay in the house while it sells?
Usually, yes. You live there the whole time, and the move-out date is set to fit your family. Some banks also pay you money to help you move.
How long does a short sale take?
Usually 2 to 4 months for the bank to say yes once it has all your paperwork, then about a month to close. Having your papers ready is the best way to speed it up.
What if my home is worth more than I owe?
That's called equity, and it's good news. You probably don't need a short sale. Sell normally before the auction, pay off the loan and keep the rest. At auction, that money can disappear.
I'm active duty or a base contractor. Does that change anything?
It can. A federal law for service members (the SCRA) gives extra protection to some active-duty borrowers. Banks also accept moving orders or a contract ending as good reasons. Bring your orders or layoff letter when we talk.
What papers should I have ready?
Your mortgage statement, any notice from the bank, 2 months of pay stubs and bank statements, 2 years of tax returns, proof of what happened (layoff letter, orders, divorce or medical papers), and any second loan or HOA bill. You don't need all of it to call.
Before an auction date is set
The sooner you call, the more choices you keep.
(760) 264-3501Call or text. Private and free.
Scott K. MillerREALTOR® · Epique Realty · Ridgecrest
(760) 264-3501
scottmiller@epique.me
Text Scott now