California Codes, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP, Part 2 — Of Civil Actions, Title 10.5 — Partition of Real and Personal Property, Chapter 6 — Sale of the Property, Article 3 — Consummation of Sale, Section 873.760

If the purchaser, after the confirmation of the sale, fails to pay the sale price, the purchaser is subject to the court’s jurisdiction and to further proceedings in the action. Upon such failure, a party, or the referee, may upon notice move the court to order either of the following forms of relief:

(a) Resale of the property upon notice as provided in this chapter. If any loss is occasioned thereby, the referee may recover the amount of such loss and costs and expenses incurred, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, from the purchaser who failed to pay.

(b) Maintenance by the referee of an action against the purchaser for the amount of the sale price. If the referee recovers judgment, the referee shall be awarded a reasonable attorney’s fee against the purchaser.