Texas does not let a trustee choose any day for a non-judicial foreclosure sale. Section 51.002 of the Texas Property Code fixes it to each month's first Tuesday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., in an area of the county courthouse chosen by the commissioners court. When the first Tuesday is New Year's Day or the Fourth of July, the sale shifts to the first Wednesday. This calendar applies that rule to any month you select. It is an educational tool for borrowers, lenders and anyone following Texas foreclosure law.
How the sale day is set
The statute's rule has three parts: the day (first Tuesday), the window (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), and the place (the area of the courthouse the county's commissioners court has designated). The designated area differs from county to county. It might be a stretch of courthouse steps, a lobby or a nearby outdoor spot, and it can change when a county moves offices. The Notice of Sale for a particular property states the place.
Only two holidays move the date: January 1 and July 4. Any other holiday that lands on the first Tuesday leaves the sale where it is.
Within the window, the timing is tied to the notice. Under §51.002(c), the sale has to begin at the time stated in the Notice of Sale or no later than three hours after it.
Notice deadlines that work backward from the sale
At least 21 days before the sale date, three things must all be done under §51.002(b): the Notice of Sale is posted at the courthouse door, filed with the county clerk, and sent by certified mail to each debtor who is obligated on the debt. Since all three have to meet the deadline, the last of them to happen is the one that matters.
When the property is the debtor's residence, §51.002(d) adds an earlier step. The debtor must receive written notice of the default by certified mail and at least 20 days to cure it before the Notice of Sale can be given. Add the two periods together and the shortest possible path from a default notice to a sale is a little over six weeks, before counting the wait for the next first Tuesday. Most cases take longer.
Where sales happen in the largest counties
Texas has 254 counties, and every one holds its sales at its own courthouse location. The table lists some of the busiest. We do not list exact sale spots, because commissioners courts can change them. Check the Notice of Sale or the county clerk's website for the current location.
| County | County seat | Where to confirm the sale location |
|---|---|---|
| Bexar | San Antonio | Bexar County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Harris | Houston | Harris County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Dallas | Dallas | Dallas County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Tarrant | Fort Worth | Tarrant County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Travis | Austin | Travis County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Collin | McKinney | Collin County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Denton | Denton | Denton County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Williamson | Georgetown | Williamson County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Fort Bend | Richmond | Fort Bend County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
| Hidalgo | Edinburg | Hidalgo County Clerk; Notice of Sale |
Sale calendar questions
Why is a sale sometimes on a Wednesday?
Section 51.002(a) moves the sale to the first Wednesday when the first Tuesday is January 1 or July 4. Those are the only two exceptions written into the statute.
What is the latest date to complete notice for a given sale?
Count back 21 days from the sale date. The posting, the county clerk filing and the certified mailing must all be done by then. If any one of them misses, that month's sale date is not available.
Can the sale happen at 4:30 p.m.?
No. The sale must take place between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and it must begin at the time stated in the notice or within three hours after it. A notice that lists 1:00 p.m., for example, means the sale must start by 4:00 p.m.
Does a scheduled sale always go forward?
No. A borrower may bring the loan current, pay it off, refinance, reach an agreement with the lender, or file for bankruptcy, which generally stops the sale. If a noticed sale does not happen and the lender later wants to sell, a new sale date requires notice that again meets the 21-day rule.
How can a borrower use this calendar?
If you have received a notice about your loan, the calendar shows when the next possible sale dates fall, so you know how much time you have to act. Talk with a Texas attorney or a HUD-approved housing counselor as early as possible, and contact your servicer for your current payoff or reinstatement figures.
How can a lender use it?
For planning only. The calendar shows which first Tuesdays are realistic once notice deadlines are counted. The actual steps should be handled by a Texas attorney or trustee working from your loan documents. Default and foreclosure support is available as a separate service on request. Ask us for a quote through our contact page.
Can I rely on this calendar instead of a lawyer?
No. It applies the date rule in §51.002(a). Whether a sale is valid also depends on the loan documents, the notices actually given, the trustee's appointment and Texas case law, which a calendar cannot evaluate.
This guide is educational and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Dates on this page follow the first-Tuesday rule in Texas Property Code §51.002. For any specific property, the Notice of Sale is the controlling source for the date, time, place and trustee. If you are facing foreclosure or considering one, speak with a Texas real estate attorney. Riverstone Note Servicing, LLC is a licensed Texas mortgage servicer located at 1602 N Interstate 35, San Antonio, TX 78208.
