When does foreclosure proceeding on a house start?

Lenders do generally send "Notice of Default" letters. However, the actual foreclosure process does not begin until the lender's representative, the "Trustee" records a "Notice of Default and Election to Sell", which is supposed to be mailed to you at the property address. This starts a 90 day "reinstatement period" during which the default may be cured. After the reinstatement period has expired, the Trustee can record a "Notice of Trustee's Sale". The default may be cured up to 5 days before the scheduled sale date, which can be scheduled at any time 20 days or more after the recording of the Notice of Trustee's Sale.