Is my foreclosure not complete till it is sold at auction?

Correct, until then the home is not considered foreclosed on.

However, once foreclosure proceedings have started it will be reported on your credit and treated as if you have had a foreclosure but the waiting period does not start until after the auction.

There are some basic stages. Typically you will get notified, and there will be a Sheriff Sale. In most states, you then have a right of redemption. If you can come up with the money during the redemption period, you can redeem the home (keep it). But after that, if you haven't left already, that is when you will be removed from the home. What the lender does after that with the home is not your issue. I'm not sure if the auction you refer to is the Sheriff Sale, or much later, but hopefully this answers your question.

Correct. Sometimes the lender will wait months, or even years, to complete the process.

Sold at auction And your name removed from the title/deed. Some lenders are very pro active and initiate foreclosure after 30 or 60 days delinquent.. other lenders have waited years.. but your time line does not start until the property is taken out of your name.. I'm a Broker here in Scottsdale AZ and I only lend in Arizona. If you or someone you know is looking for financing options, feel free to contact me or pass along my information. William J. Acres, Lender411's number ONE lender in Arizona. 480-287-5714 WilliamAcres.com