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Should I let my home go to foreclosure sale?

By
Real Estate Agent with Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado CRE# 40005863

 

Should I let my home go to foreclosure sale?

 

Owning a home is the American Dream right? Right! Well, it is a great accomplishment to buy a home of your very own, so when trouble hits and you are faced with losing your home it can be a very stressful situation. These days there is a silver lining; banks across the country are offering programs for homeowners which are designed to help them get back on their feet.

 

There are a few things to consider before you decide to let your home go to foreclosure sale.

 

1.)  Just because your home is currently IN foreclosure doesn’t mean you have lost it. In Colorado the bank will usually set a sale date on your home (the day that your home will go up for sale at public auction) about 6-9 months after you stop making payments. This means you have time to work something out with your bank.

 

2.)  Letting your home go to foreclosure is very damaging to your credit and will affect your ability to buy another home in the future. Also, in most states you may still be liable for the deficiency balance on your loan.

 

*What does this mean to you? If you owe $300,000 on your home and it sells for $150,000 at the foreclosure sale, you may be personally liable for the remaining $150,000.

 

3.)  Most banks offer short sales, deeds in lieu, or modifications to help you save your home

 

4.)  If you participate in one of the workout options that your bank offers it may drastically limit the damage to your credit, even if you are already late on your payments.

 

 

So, in short, no, you shouldn’t let your home go to foreclosure sale, unless it is as a last resort and your only option.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(14)

Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

There are better ways to handle a home in default than foreclosure.  Well done blog.

May 29, 2012 12:08 AM
David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Great info - all the options you share are a better outcome than a foreclosure. Regards, Dave

May 29, 2012 12:12 AM
Terri Poehler
Realtor - Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Real Estate Agent


Very good info Belinda. And yet, not everybody gets it, still.

May 29, 2012 12:15 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Belinda -- knowing options is always a good thing especially in a difficult situation such as foreclosure proceedings.  

May 29, 2012 12:56 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Belinda - Very useful consumer advice - foreclosure is pretty much always the least desirable outcome, and homeowners should examine carefully every possible alternative.

May 29, 2012 12:58 AM
Wes Neal
Wes & Company - Tumwater, WA
The expertise you expect and attention you deserve

Well written Belinda, I completely agree with you!

May 29, 2012 01:13 AM
Joetta Fort
The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO
Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

I think people get so depressed when losing their home that they believe they'll never recover.  They think they'll never have anything, so 'let the bank come after me, you can't squeeze water out of a rock', is their mantra. Sad. I hope the coming tax increases won't be as bad for housing as some are saying.

May 29, 2012 01:44 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Avoiding foreclosure through short sale is usually the preferred route when you look at consequences.  Thank goodness Aurora, Colorado home sellers have you to help them with this.

May 29, 2012 04:01 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Belinda - 

Great advice to those looking at options facing difficult situations.

John

May 29, 2012 04:16 AM
Rob Lang
At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS
Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

I can't even imagine owing over $100,000 without a house to show for it.  Foreclosure should be avoided if at all possible!

May 29, 2012 05:43 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good advice for financially distressed home owners.  The majority never even contact their lender.

Have an outstanding week, with your camera in hand.

May 29, 2012 06:09 AM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Good advice Belinda.  Underwater homeowners in Aurora Co. should be calling you for help.

May 29, 2012 09:38 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Information that can be used for people who may be close to or in default. There are alternatives prior to foreclosure, well done Belinda!

May 29, 2012 12:50 PM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

If at all possible to not do so it is a good ideal to not do it.

May 31, 2012 09:42 AM