If you’ve received a foreclosure notice in Saint Paul, you’re probably feeling the pressure — but don’t panic.
Minnesota’s foreclosure laws actually give you time and options. You can still sell your house fast during foreclosure — and in many cases, even after the sheriff’s sale.
For Saint Paul homeowners in neighborhoods like Frogtown, Highland Park, or Payne-Phalen, selling before or during the redemption period can help you protect your credit and move on without court drama.
👉 Foreclosure in Minnesota is a process — not an instant loss. You can still sell and stop it before it’s final.
Understanding Foreclosure in Minnesota
Minnesota uses two types of foreclosure:
- Foreclosure by advertisement (nonjudicial): The most common process for owner-occupied homes.
- Foreclosure by action (judicial): A court-supervised process used less often.
Both end with a sheriff’s sale, followed by a redemption period — a window of time when you can still save or sell your property.
Here’s the typical timeline for Minneapolis homeowners:
- 6-month redemption period after the sheriff’s sale.
- 12-month redemption in rare cases (older loans or large acreage).
- 5-week redemption if the property is ruled abandoned or if you postpone the sale using an affidavit.
👉 You keep ownership and the right to sell until the redemption period expires. Don’t wait — every week counts.
Postponing the Sheriff’s Sale (to Buy More Time to Sell)
If your Saint Paul home is your homestead (up to 4 units), Minnesota law allows you to file an Affidavit of Postponement.
This delays the sheriff’s sale by 5 months (or 11 months for 12-month cases). The trade-off: your redemption period drops to 5 weeks after the sale.
Many homeowners use this tool to get extra time before the sale while preparing to sell.
As one local Reddit user on r/Minnesota shared:
“We used the affidavit to buy five more months — that’s when we found our buyer and closed before the sale. Totally worth it.”
💡 If you’re serious about selling, postponement can be a lifesaver — just know you’ll have less time afterward.
Can You Sell a House in Foreclosure (or During Redemption)?
Yes, you can. You remain the legal owner until the sheriff’s certificate holder receives the deed — meaning you can sell any time before or even after the sheriff’s sale (if within redemption).
Here’s how it works:
- Before the sale: Proceeds at closing pay your mortgage, back taxes, and fees.
- During redemption: You must sell for enough to pay off the sheriff’s certificate holder (the auction’s winning bidder) plus interest and allowable costs.
Users on r/RealEstateMinnesota often mention that cash buyers helped them close in as little as 10 days — even while redemption was ticking down.
🏡 Selling before or during redemption is not only possible — it’s often your cleanest way out.
Key Concepts
- Foreclosure Type: Most Saint Paul cases use foreclosure by advertisement.
- Sheriff’s Sale: Public auction, typically run by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
- Redemption Period: 6 months (standard) or 12 months (some older loans).
- Affidavit of Postponement: Delays the sale but shortens redemption to 5 weeks.
- Deed Tax: 0.33% of sale price + ERF tax (0.01%) in Ramsey County.
- Closing Oversight: Usually handled by title companies; attorney optional.
🧭 Knowing your foreclosure stage helps you plan whether to sell now, postpone, or use redemption to your advantage.
Deadlines and What They Mean for Saint Paul, MN Homeowners
Minnesota’s foreclosure process moves on fixed dates — once the sale is scheduled, it won’t stop automatically.
If you need more time to sell, filing for postponement can delay the sheriff’s sale. But after that, your post-sale window shrinks dramatically.
If you let the property sit empty, a court can shorten redemption to 5 weeks by declaring it abandoned.
⏳ Don’t let the clock decide for you — start marketing or request an offer early. Once the redemption period ends, your ownership is gone.
Communicating with Your Lender
Lenders and foreclosure attorneys often respond better when you’re transparent. If you have a signed offer or pending closing, notify them immediately. In some Saint Paul cases, attorneys have delayed sales to allow closings.
A homeowner on r/Homeowners wrote:
“Our attorney showed proof of a purchase agreement — the sheriff’s office gave us two more weeks to close. It made all the difference.”
💬 Proof of progress — not silence — earns cooperation from lenders and courts.
Short Sales vs. Cash Sales
If your home’s value is lower than what you owe, you may consider a short sale, but that takes lender approval — often too slow for Minnesota’s foreclosure schedule.
A cash sale is usually better:
- No lender delays or repairs required.
- The title company can pay off the debt directly at closing.
- You can close in days — before your redemption period runs out.
As one Redditor from Saint Paul said:
“A cash home buyer saved us when the sale was just a month away. We avoided auction and got to move on clean.”
⚡ Cash means certainty — and certainty is everything when your timeline is shrinking.
Tips for Saint Paul, MN Homeowners
- File your Affidavit of Postponement early if you need extra pre-sale time.
- Stay current on utilities and basic maintenance to avoid abandonment rulings.
- Complete your seller disclosure (§513.55) — honesty is required even “as-is.”
- For homes built before 1978, include lead-based paint disclosures.
- Expect Hennepin County deed tax (0.33%) plus the Environmental Response Fund tax (0.01%) at closing.
- Condo/townhome sellers must provide a Resale Disclosure Certificate from the HOA.
Local investors on BiggerPockets Twin Cities note that Ramsey County’s redemption process is predictable — as long as you plan ahead.
✅ The sooner you act, the smoother your sale — and the more control you keep.
Key Takeaways
- You can sell your house fast during foreclosure in Saint Paul before or during redemption.
- Most homeowners have a 6-month redemption period (sometimes 12).
- Filing a postponement affidavit can add 5 months before the sale.
- Disclosures still apply even “as-is.”
- Expect a 0.33% deed tax (+0.01% ERF in Hennepin).
- Cash home buyers are the fastest solution when time is short.
🌟 Foreclosure doesn’t erase your power — use Minnesota’s laws to sell and reset before the process finishes.
Sell a House in Foreclosure in Saint Paul, MN: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my house in foreclosure in Saint Paul, MN?
Yes. You can sell before the sheriff’s sale or during redemption if the proceeds cover what’s owed.
Peregrine REI helps homeowners in this situation by providing fast fair cash offer and buying houses as-is. We work with trusted local title companies to close quickly—often before the auction date—so you can avoid foreclosure and protect your equity.
How long is the redemption period in Minnesota?
Typically 6 months; 12 months in limited cases.
Can I postpone the sheriff’s sale?
Yes — file an Affidavit of Postponement if your home is a homestead.
Can I sell during the redemption period?
Yes, but the sale price must pay off the sheriff’s certificate holder plus interest and fees.
Can I sell “as-is”?
Yes, but you must disclose known material defects under §513.55.
Do I have to pay deed tax?
Yes — 0.33% statewide, plus 0.01% ERF in Hennepin County.
Who pays off my debts at closing?
The title company deducts your mortgage, taxes, and liens from your sale proceeds.
Can I sell if my home is vacant?
Yes, but your redemption may shorten to 5 weeks if it’s ruled abandoned.
Do I need an attorney to sell?
Not required — title companies commonly handle closings in Minnesota.
Who buys homes in foreclosure in Saint Paul, MN?
Local cash home buyers and investors who specialize in quick closings and redemption sales.
Peregrine REI is one of those trusted local cash home buyers—we purchase Saint Paul, MN homes in foreclosure for cash, buy properties as-is, and work with local title companies to close quickly so homeowners can avoid foreclosure and move forward with peace of mind.
💬 Minnesota gives you rights even after foreclosure begins — use them to sell before time runs out.
Are You Ready to Sell a House in Foreclosure in Saint Paul, MN?
If your Saint Paul home is in foreclosure, you’re not out of time — you just need to act quickly. Selling before or during redemption can help you protect your credit and regain peace of mind.
As one Redditor put it:
“We thought the sheriff’s sale was the end — turns out it was just the middle. Selling during redemption saved us.”
🚀 Start today — get a fair cash offer, close fast, and move forward before foreclosure closes the door.
How Our Simple 4-Step Process Works
Helping Saint Paul, MN homeowners sell quickly, stress-free, and with confidence.
Step 1 – Tell us about your home (no repairs needed) in Saint Paul, MN:
Just share a few details about your Saint Paul property. Don’t worry about cleaning or fixing anything—we buy houses exactly as they are.
Step 2 – We take a quick look:
If your home meets our buying criteria, we’ll schedule a short visit at your convenience. No open houses, no strangers walking through—just a quick look so we can confirm details.
Step 3 – Get your fair cash offer:
Within 24 hours, we’ll send you a no-obligation fair cash offer based on your home’s condition and the Saint Paul market. You’re in control—no pressure, no hidden strings.
Step 4 – Choose your closing date:
We’ll handle the paperwork and close with a trusted local title company, often in about 7 days. You pick the date that works best for you.
✨ No commissions. No waiting. No stress—just a straightforward, fair cash offer from Peregrine REI.