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Avoid Foreclosure

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Bell - Windermere Peninsula Properties

According to Foreclosure.com, as of this post, there were 2,265,402 Foreclosure listings Nationwide.

The State of Washington, at the time of this article, has recorded 7,187 Pre-foreclosures, 1,530 Sheriffs Sales, 8,406 Foreclosures and 4,131 Bankruptcies.

Mason County, Washington, which I might point out is usually one year behind our large metropiltan areas, posted 46 Pre-foreclosures, 10 Sheriffs Sales, 92 Foreclosures and 34 Bankruptcies.

In zip code 98528 there were 6 Pre-foreclosures, 2 Sheriffs Sales, 20 Foreclosures and 4 Bankruptcies. The Foreclosure Stats for area 98524 recorded 5 Pre-foreclosures, 1 Sheriffs Sale, 5 Foreclosure and 2 Bankruptcies.

This past year our County has been affected with a bona fide Real Estate falling off. There have also been job losses, family changes and host of other unexpected challenges of life that have made owning a home tough.

If you or someone you know has lost a job, been through a divorce or suffered illness, you or they may be having a hard time making mortgage payments. If so, there is help available.

The very first thing a homeowner must do is to " call your mortgage company" and find a solution that is right for your individual situation. Don't risk losing your home or jeopardizing your credit when there is help available.

Lenders tell me that your options are much better if you are only one or two payments behind. Waiting until the last moment is not an advisable option. The longer you wait the greater your chance of losing your home. If you are unable to make your mortgage payments, don't delay.

 Call your mortgage company immediately.

There are a number of alternatives you can discuss with your mortgage company. There are Loan Modifications, Forbearance, Reinstatement and Repayment plans.

If you are a Local homeowner in Mason County and happen to be reading this on the AR or Localism site,   Straight answers on these alternatives as well as gaining a better understanding of Short Sales, Pre-Foreclosure, your rights and options will be the subjects talked about at a Community Real Estate Workshop this coming April.

This "Free" Workshop will be held on Thursday April 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the LakeLand Village Club House in Allyn, Washington. An Attorney, Accountant and a Mortgage Bank professional will available to answer questions  for homeowners, the real estate community and anyone interested in getting Straight answers on how to Avoid Foreclosure and protect your investment.

Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

Great info Richard.  One way to get started is to have all of the information on hand that the bank will be asking for. 2- W2's or 1099 Ect. 3 months of bank statements, and a hardship letter. It is advisable to sit down and go over your monthly budget. It can be surprising how much your monthly outlay is. Not only is good to have this information handy for a lender but it is helpful to see areas that you may be able to cut back on and save some money.

Every lender has specific requirements and they should be able to give you a list when you call. My experience has been great. Every person I have talked with has been very friendly and forthcoming with information. They want to see it work.-Dinah Lee

Mar 26, 2009 12:54 PM