Foreclosures: What Are They?
A financial organization, such as a bank or mortgage company, will forcibly sell a home or other piece of property in a foreclosure. Unless you paid for your property in full (cash) at the time of purchase, the majority of property owners employ a third party to supply the extra money necessary to finalize the sale. A mortgage is used to describe the situation where the owner is compelled to pay back the borrowed funds.
The bank or another lien holder may start foreclosure procedures to take control of the property to pay off the debt owing to them if a property owner fails to make payments as required by the loan agreement for their mortgage. The promissory note for a mortgage frequently has an acceleration provision.
Frequently, this trait can result in an early foreclosure. If a certain number of mortgage payments are missed by the property owner, the acceleration clause allows the bank or mortgage holder to declare the entire loan due. Usually, before the lending institution may apply the acceleration provision, the property owner must receive adequate notice.
The foreclosure procedure is a legal action taken by the bank or lender to compel the sale of real estate in order to pay off the outstanding debt. Most of the time, the court will decide the real balance owed on the mortgage before ordering the property to be sold (this includes accrued interest). After that, the remaining debt will be paid off with the money collected from the sale of your property. Depending on the terms of the initial loan, you can still owe the lending institution the remaining amount if the value of your property is lower than the outstanding debt. To prevent the foreclosure auction and save your property, you have the right to make a full payment to the bank.
An expert attorney can assist you in determining your other options, which may include declaring bankruptcy; if you are concerned that you will fall behind on your mortgage payments and that you will lose your home to foreclosure. To ensure that your interests and rights are safeguarded during the foreclosure process, you can also be represented by an attorney.
How does the foreclosure process work?
In the foreclosure procedure result in a process that is generally relatively simple and can take up to six months. Whether a judicial sale or a no judicial sale is held as a result of the foreclosure determines the procedure.
Pre-Foreclosure: A home is deemed to be in pre-foreclosure once the owner misses two to three mortgage payments (30–60 days). Lenders frequently send a demand letter requesting immediate full repayment of the loan together with any accrued legal and late fees when a property is about to go into pre-foreclosure. In order to avoid the foreclosure process from starting, the homeowner has 30 days to make the required payments.
When a property owner doesn’t make a payment for 90 days, a notice of default is sent, and the foreclosure process then begins legally. The local sheriff will deliver the property owner’s notice of default after receiving it from the bank. A date will be chosen for a foreclosure auction after the government body has recorded the notice of default. An investor or other homeowner may consult a short sale on the property after receiving a notice of default.
Public foreclosure auction: The property will be put up for auction and could be sold to the highest bidder. The lender issuing the default has the option of making a separate private sale where they buy the property and sell it.
Post-Foreclosure: If the sale proceeds fall short of covering the debt being foreclosed, the lender may take legal action against the homeowner borrower to recover the shortfall. In some places, the debtor may have the option to pay the full sale price in order to avoid further legal action following a foreclosure.
Right of Redemption: Before the property is sold during foreclosure, the owner or mortgagee has the right to redeem it by paying the outstanding debt. The right of redemption is referred to as such. If there is an acceleration clause in the mortgage, the homeowner cannot redeem the mortgage unless the full balance is paid.
How do I learn more about foreclosures?
These Law Library articles include more details:
- Attorneys for Predatory Lending Claim; Attorneys for Borrowers’ Rights in Foreclosure; Attorneys for Avoiding Foreclosure; Attorneys for Foreclosure.
Are Foreclosure Attorneys Necessary?
Throughout the process, a real estate attorney can support you in numerous ways. An attorney will not only represent you in the foreclosure case but will also negotiate with your lender to come up with options that might allow you to keep your house.
In order to determine your options in relation to your foreclosure scenario, you should consult with an attorney. If legal action is required, a real estate attorney can offer helpful legal advice as well as advocacy in court.