Mockup of a foreclosure sign in front of a modern townhome or townhouse to illustrate recession fears due to coronavirus
In today’s economy, it is not uncommon to see properties that have been foreclosed on and are going through the process of being put up for sale again. These properties often have an “as is” clause that allows the bank to put it up for sale again as-is. If you are a homeowner, there are certain things you can do if you find yourself in danger of foreclosure. Depending on your situation, there are things you can do to stop foreclosure from happening or delay it as much as possible. Here is what you can do when your home is threatened with foreclosure.
Talk to Your Lender
Even if you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage payments, you can always talk to your lender and see what options you have. Try to see if you can come to a mutually beneficial agreement where you can refinance the debt or just get additional time to make the payments you owe. If you have equity in your home, you may be able to refinance and use the equity in your home to make the monthly payments. You can even see if you can get a second mortgage on your home to pay off your first mortgage. Just make sure you’re not putting yourself in a worse situation than you’re already in.
Change Up Your Repayment Plan
If you are behind on payments, try to negotiate a new repayment plan with your lender. Be up-front and honest about your current situation and see if they can give you a little more time to make the payments you owe. Try to come to a solution where you can continue making payments and just pay more each month. If you are behind on payments, a lender may offer you a repayment plan that allows you to catch up over time. The lender may require you to pay a fee for this option, but it may be worth it to prevent foreclosure.
Ask for a Short Sale
A short sale is when you sell the home for less than what you owe on it. However, the bank will then just write off the difference between what you owe and what you sold it for. A lender will only accept a short sale under certain circumstances – often, if you are behind on payments and you are able to find a buyer who is able to buy the property for less than what you owe. But if you’re behind on payments, it can be difficult to find a buyer.
Try to Sell the Property Yourself
If you just can’t seem to find a buyer who is able to buy the property for less than what you owe, you can try to sell the property yourself. You can try to sell the property yourself by listing it on the internet or putting up a “for sale by owner” sign in your neighborhood. You can also try listing it with a real estate agent. You may also want to look into a company that buys homes in as-is condition for cash. They don’t care about whether you’re behind on your payments or the condition of the home, so this can allow you to sell the home quickly.
File for Bankruptcy
If you are really in a bind, you can try to file for bankruptcy. This will put the foreclosure process on hold while the bankruptcy is being processed. Bankruptcy lawyers can help you determine whether bankruptcy is the best option for you and how it may impact your foreclosure. It is important to realize that if you file for bankruptcy, it will affect your credit and your ability to get a new loan or mortgage for several years. This is why it’s a good idea to carefully consider this, and all other options, before making a decision.
The best thing to do when your home is threatened with foreclosure is to just get in touch with your lender as soon as you start to fall behind on payments. Your lender may be willing to work with you, but you have to reach out to them. It’s important to know what your options are as a homeowner and what you can do to prevent foreclosure. If you are in danger of losing your home, you need to act quickly.
