Too many Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure, and according to the media, and real estate experts, it will only get worse. Everyday news outlets bombard us with stories about the economy and its effects on the housing market and people’s ability to keep up with the high cost of living.
Though times are difficult, if you don’t pay your mortgage, no matter the reason, your account will be flagged and monitored which could lead to foreclosure proceedings. If you are already in the foreclosure process, do not despair. No homeowner ever plans to be delinquent on the mortgage or lose the house, so there are possible remedies in place to get you back on track. The idea of losing a home is extremely stressful, scary, and sad, but do not lose hope. There are ways out of foreclosure so you do not ruin your credit or have a foreclosure on your record, but you must know about them and take action.
You are doing the right thing – educating yourself. Understanding the process, knowing some solutions for getting out of foreclosure, finding resources to help you, and taking action are the keys to getting your life back on track. Foreclosure will not just go away. Please do not sit back and wait for someone or some program to save you. Far too many homeowners in mortgage default are paralyzed by fear and stress, and the result is that they lose their home, their credit, and their ability to start fresh without a foreclosure on their record. Please learn about your options, choose a plan of action based on your family’s situation, and take action to propel yourself into a better, less stressed life.
When life gets tough and too expensive to pay your mortgage, Call Your Lender!
Homeowners find themselves in mortgage default for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common are:
- Divorce
- Unemployment
- Death in the family
- Major illness or traumatic injury
- Inability to pay an adjustable interest rate that increased
While mortgage lenders understand the hardships and crises that homeowners face, and they do not want to start foreclosure proceedings, their job is to protect the asset (your house). Doing their job will force them to foreclose on your house if you do not take action. Obviously, the best result for all parties is to avoid foreclosure, so please call your lender now – as soon as you cannot make a payment. Our company, Crew Property Solutions, may be able to help you; we can evaluate your situation and possibly help you avoid foreclosure. We understand the hardships and the solutions. Reach out today. *LINK*
Please do not feel embarrassed or ashamed – tough times happen to people everyday. In addition, please don’t assume that life will improve and you will be able to catch up next month. Even one missed payment triggers an automatic red flag on your account.
Solutions Your Lender May Consider
When you call your lender, ask about these options to help you avoid foreclosure. Remember that the decision is in the hands of the lending institution.
1. Forbearance – gives you extra time to work out an agreement with the lender to make up the missed mortgage payments. The CARE Act, enacted during the Covid pandemic is an example of forbearance.
2. A Repayment Plan – adds an additional amount to your mortgage payment for a specific period of time until the overdue amount is paid in full.
3. A Note Modification – makes changes to the loan terms. Your lender may consider freezing an adjustable interest rate or even extending the length of the loan.
These last two options are rarely offered, but it never hurts to ask and find out if you qualify.
4. A Partial Claim – is a government loan that can be used to make up missed mortgage payments. You must meet the criteria.
5. Debt Forgiveness – waives (or wipes out) the missed payment(s) if you can develop a plan with the lender. Remember that this is extremely rare.
The key to success in avoiding foreclosure is to Call Your Lender Now. You may also want to work with a qualified team that is experienced in working with banks to help homeowners facing foreclosure. Our company, Crew Property Solutions, has helped many homeowners in situations just like yours. In fact, our founder, Tami, had to sell her house in a divorce proceeding, and her husband lost a house when a family member fought a decades long, terminal illness. So… we’ve been where you are; we understand; we can offer you the help we wish we had received – and the best part is that it will not cost you a cent. Our help is absolutely free!
Solutions Your Lender May Consider
Understanding the process is vital to fighting foreclosure. Do remember that this is an educational guide and not legal advice. Please consult with a legal professional before you make decisions regarding your foreclosure. There are 5 Stages in the foreclosure process:
Stage 1 – is called Pre-Foreclosure. This is the period before legal filings have been made. Pre-Foreclosure is the best time to stop a foreclosure because exorbitant legal fees have not been added to the amount owed, and your credit rating has not yet been affected. This period is usually about two months, but the timing varies. Your options at this time include: 1) working out an agreement with your lender to stop the process 2) selling your home by listing it with a real estate agent 3) finding a professional home buyer (like Crew Property Solutions) to buy the house quickly or to take over the existing loan.
Stage 2 – is when the Notice of Default is Filed. Usually lenders wait 60 days from the date of the first missed payment to file. Do not count on this timeline, though, as it varies from state to state and lender to lender. This is when the actual foreclosure process begins. The notice is filed in the public, legal records, and it reveals the location of the home, that the owner is behind in payments, and that the house could be seized. States govern this process, and it works a bit differently in each one. Some states also tack the Notice of Default to the front window or door of the house. You can still work with your lender or sell your house, but the amount owed and the challenges will be greater.
Stage 3 – is the Waiting Period. Lenders must generally wait 90 days before beginning the auction process. This time allows you to still work with the lender or find another source of income to make up the back payments.
Stage 4 – is when the Public Notice is published. After the Waiting Period, a notice is published in the local paper (usually in print and online) alerting the public that the house may be available for sale or auction. There is a required number of days (usually around 20) that the notice will run before the auction occurs.
Stage 5 – is The Auction. Once the house has been auctioned off to the highest bidder, the previous tenants (you) will be required to move out of the house unless a rental agreement has been made with the new owners.
As you have learned, the foreclosure process can move very quickly. Remember that the time frames are different for different states. Once you move into Stage 2, the homeowner’s options are more limited and the repercussions are greater. That is why it is so important that you contact your lender as soon as possible.
Ways to Stop a Foreclosure
Beyond the lender working with you to change the terms of your loan, here are some additional options for stopping the foreclosure. You still need to act as quickly as possible and really do your research to find the best option for your circumstance.
- Sell Your Home – while you could use a discount broker or try to sell it yourself (FSBO – For Sale By Owner), we do not recommend either of these options because the home needs to sell quickly before the foreclosure process ends. Therefore we recommend speaking with experienced real estate agents that have proven track records of selling very quickly in your area.
- Short Sale Agreement with Lender – Your home may be a candidate for a short sale if you owe more than it is worth. Your lender has to agree to accept less for your house than the full amount due on the loan. This process takes time, and it adversely affects your credit.
- Sign a Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure – In this scenario, the homeowner signs the deed to the home back to the lender, which closes the loan and stops the foreclosure. While it does adversely affect your credit, this solution MAY allow you to negotiate to remain in the home or to rent the home UNTIL it is sold.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy – As a last resort, homeowners can file Chapter 13 bankruptcy. While this legally stops the foreclosure and halts all creditors from their collection efforts, there are exceptions and homeowners may still risk losing their house. Please speak with a bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions or signing any papers.
If your lender options won’t work and you’re unable to stay in your home, there is still hope to save your credit, save you money, save you from more stress and hassle, and get you out of the situation. You can work with a local, honest, professional home buyer with experience in foreclosure solutions like Crew Property Solutions. We can evaluate your specific situation, explain your options clearly and realistically. Just reach out to us and tell us a bit about your situation and your property. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with an easy to understand review of your options. *LINK*
While waiting to hear back from your lender, reach out to other resources to determine your best course of action:
1. A Local, Experienced, Successful Realtor – will know your local housing market and can offer a free market analysis.
2. A Local Real Estate Attorney – to make sure that you know your rights and options, and to make sure you understand state and local laws.
3. A Local Honest Real Estate Foreclosure Solutions Provider – like Crew Property Solutions. We can provide you with an unbiased evaluation of your options. A Realtor’s only goal is to sell your house, not provide options, and it could take too long to avoid foreclosure. If you feel the need to act quickly and would like to explore options that could allow you to remain in your home, a company like ours may be your best bet – and we never charge any fees or commissions.
4. There is also a federal, HUD website, https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeownership/georgia-dream/homebuyers/dcas-approved-housing-counseling, which offers a directory of housing counselors and resources for avoiding foreclosure.
Summary
The fear and stress that come with the threat of foreclosure, poor credit, and the possibility of losing your home can be overwhelming. We have tried our best to explain the process,the options, and the action steps in this report, and we hope it gives you hope and help. However, if you find yourself facing foreclosure, please immediately call your lender and seek the help of professionals in your area.
Our company, Crew Property Solutions, is a Real Estate Foreclosure Solutions Provider in Georgia. We have worked with countless homeowners in situations just like yours to avoid foreclosure completely, save their credit, or if they can’t save their home – we’ve bought their homes quickly with NO FEES and provided them with multiple offers to choose from.
If you would like a free, no-hassle, no-obligation, unbiased evaluation of your situation, reach out. We can explain in easy-to-understand details exactly what solutions will work for you and your situation. Click here to get help. *LINK*
After you provide some basic information about your property and situation, we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with your options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option, so you can make a well informed decision about what is best for you and your family.
We want to help you. Contact us now. *LINK*
**Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. No duplication or use without written permission from the author is permitted under law. This report is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Please consult a legal expert for advice on this matter.