Mortgage Reinstatement Timeframe

[Craig Norris]

I have a seller who received a NOD on their current home last August. I am currently negotiating a contract for their rental property. They plan to use proceeds from the sale of the rental to put towards reinstating the mortgage on their current home.

Question: 

1. How can I find out when the next step of the foreclosure process begins, aside from asking the seller? They say there is a payment coming up soon, but haven't given me a date.

2. If there's no way, does anyone have any strategies for getting that info from a seller (besides the obvious "Just ask!")?

3. Are reinstatement periods negotiable? Or, are there defined timeframes that banks must adhere to?

Thank you all in advance!