West Virginia Foreclosure Laws

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Judicial Foreclosure Available:	Yes
Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available:	Yes
Primary Security Instruments:	Deed of Trust, Mortgage
Timeline:	Typically 60 days
Right of Redemption:	No
Deficiency Judgments Allowed:	No

In West Virginia, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

Judicial Foreclosure involves the sale of the mortgaged property under the supervision of a court. The property is subject to auction by the county sheriff or some other officer of the court. The proceeds first go to the lender to satisfy the mortgage; then other lien holders; and, finally, to the borrower if any proceeds are left. All parties must be notified of the foreclosure. A judicial decision is announced after pleadings at a hearing in a state or local court.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure (Power of Sale)

Also known as Foreclosure by power of sale, Non-Judicial Foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. This process involves the sale of the property by the mortgage holder without court supervision. It is generally more expedient than foreclosure by judicial sale. As in judicial sale, the mortgage holder and other lien holders are respectively first and second claimants to the proceeds from the sale.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. The notice of sale must be posted on the front door of the courthouse for the county in which the property to be sold is located, and three (3) other public places, one of which must be the property itself, at least twenty (20) days prior to sale. The notice must also be served upon the borrower and subordinate lien holders at least twenty (20) days prior to the foreclosure sale.
   
   Additionally, the notice must be published as a Class III legal advertisement in the county where the property is located once a week for four (4) weeks.
   
   Said notice must contain the time and place of the foreclosure sale, the names of the parties to the deed, the date of the deed, recording information, a property description and the terms of the sale.


2. The sale must be held at the time and place stated in the foreclosure notice and completed by public auction to the highest bidder. Unless the deed specifies the terms of sale, the buyer must pay one-third (1/3) of the bid amount in cash at the sale.

Deficiency actions are generally not permitted in West Virginia and there are no rights of redemption.

United States Foreclosure Law