Category: US States

Q: What is refinancing and how can it help me out of foreclosure? – A: By refinancing you are essentially taking another loan. The new loan is based off a new appraisal of your property. One benefits of refinancing is that you can sometimes get a lower interest rate, in turn, decreasing your monthly mortgage rate. However, refinancing is not for everyone. It can also put you at higher risk for foreclosure depending on a number of factors. Really do some research and talk to someone who can advise you well on this option.

Q: What does it mean to be in foreclosure? – A: According to dictionary.com, to foreclose is to deprive (you) the mortgagor of the right to redeem mortgaged property, when payments have not been made. When you have missed two months worth of payments you have defaulted on your loan, but you are not yet in foreclosure. The foreclosure proceedings will not initiate until the mortgage lender or bank submits paper work to a prosecuting attorney.

Q: What are my options? – A: Once the mortgage lender sends letters informing you of the Foreclosure it is important that you keep your head up; find a way to fix things. Immediately start considering your options of another loan, refinancing, etc. On the other hand, if you know you are in over your head then selling is always an option. To keep from falling deep into the foreclosure process it is really important to weigh out your options, looking at your finances and what you can afford in the future.

Q: If I lose my house in foreclosure are my chances of buying again lessened? – A: If you apply for a loan on another house your past foreclosure will show in your credit history. This does not mean you will not qualify for a loan; however you are less likely to receive, for instance, a low down payment loan. It is very important to stay informed and knowledgeable in how to stop the Foreclosure before it happens. There are people who are willing to take the time and help.

Q: If I am in foreclosure, how much time do I have until I have to leave the house? – A: Laws vary from state to state; in states like Georgia a foreclosure house for sale is advertised to the public only seven days after being filed. However in other states, the house is not publicly advertised until the 130th day of the foreclosure process. If you look online or go to the library and look up your state legislature, you will find a slue of detailed statutes. Do some research so you know exactly what timeline you are dealing with, but the bottom line is to act as quickly and wisely as possible.

Q: Does the lender have the right to repossess my house, even though I have been paying for it all this time? – A: Unfortunately, yes. Even though you only missed those few payments and had paid so many others, the mortgage documents or deed of trust (depending if you live in a judicial or non-judicial state) gives the lender the right to foreclose and repossess the property after you have defaulted on payments for a certain length of time.

Q. How does a foreclosure affect my credit? – Ans. Well, it is serious. The lenders I have spoken with tell me it will be about a 400 pt hit on you credit score. Really foreclosure is the last resort. There are a number of things that can possibly be done before you get to that point.

Q. When the lender forecloses you have to get out right away, right? – Ans. In Michigan when you miss your payment is 30 days past due you are in default, usually by the time a homeowner has missed 3 payments the bank and the collection department have been in contact(Note, return or answer those calls, they will try to work it out with you and possibly you will come out of it okay, it is better than going to foreclosure). At 90 days the loan is in serious default and the legal system begins to take over. Notice is served on the property by a posting on the property. In our area it is usually a notice tacked or stapled to the property by a deputy of the local sheriff. The Sheriff

Q. I have heard that the bank can take all of my property and even my retirement too, is that true? – Ans. No. They can only foreclose on what they have in the mortgage. No more, no less.

Q. Can I still live there after the Sherrif sells my house? – Ans. Yes, until the redemption period is up you can live in it. But if you move out, the lender may be able to accelerate the foreclosure period and take the property back quicker because the property was abandoned.