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Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure

By
Mortgage and Lending with Free State Mortgage, LLC

Foreclosure cartoon

STOP FORECLOSURE TODAY!

Save your home from foreclosure. Get the help you need now!

A record percentage of U.S. homeowners are facing foreclosure and many more are falling behind on monthly house payments. Foreclosures and mortgage delinquencies number in the millions. According to reports, consumer debt, foreclosures, bankruptcy filings and mortgage delinquencies are higher than at any other time in history. Families are losing their homes at record rates, and experts are predicting higher numbers this year. The only viable option for most of these homeowners is loss mitigation.

Loss Mitigation is the art of helping delinquent homeowners, in or close to foreclosure, to save their home. How? By representing them and negotiating on their behalf with the lender; using government and non-government programs and regulations, and other proprietary techniques to resolve the delinquency and keep them in the existing mortgage and home. Our vision is to provide homeowners in every city across America with an ethical, effective alternative to foreclosure and home loss.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!

Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them?

  • Don't ignore the letters from your lender
  • Contact your lender immediately
  • Contact a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency
  • Toll FREE (800) 569-4287

If you are unable to make your mortgage payment:

1. Don't ignore the problem.

The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.

2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.

Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.  

3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender.

The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems.  Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action.  Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.

4. Know your mortgage rights.

Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can't make your payments.  Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office.  

5. Understand foreclosure prevention options.

Valuable information about foreclosure prevention (also called loss mitigation) options can be found on the internet at www.fha.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm.


6. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide.  Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance....CALL (800) 569-4287.

7. Prioritize your spending.

After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority.  Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment.  Look for optional expenses-cable TV, memberships, entertainment-that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.

8. Use your assets.  

Do you have assets-a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income?  Even if these efforts don't significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.  

9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.

You don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help-use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender.  While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month's mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them.

10. Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams!

If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home!  Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD approved housing counselor.

Show All Comments Sort:
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent

Dan, Great information...Part of the problem is most people can't get past #1.  That is such an important part of the process.  Realtors can help them facilitate a Short Sale of the property with the approval of the lender(s) but once they go into default and the loan is turned over to the Trustee... it is almost always too late.

#10 is very important...soo many people are very vulnerable at this time and fall victim to heartless goons. 

Dec 18, 2007 08:50 AM
Anonymous
Bob-
Very true, its our responsibility as real estate professionals to educate our clients.  I will follow up with short sale info...
Dec 18, 2007 11:47 AM
#2