Exploring your foreclosure defense options is important if you default on your mortgage loan. A qualified attorney can help you understand the foreclosure process and your legal rights.
A lawyer can also assist you in requesting a forbearance or reinstating your loan, and they can help you negotiate with the lender.
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation involves obtaining a new loan that pays off your existing debts. It combines multiple debt payments into a single monthly payment and often has a lower interest rate than other loans, making it easier to afford.
It can also make it easier to keep track of your payment schedule and avoid missing repayment deadlines, which would cause your credit score to take a hit. It can even help you pay off your principal more quickly.
You can get a debt consolidation loan from lenders such as banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. If you own a home, you can also use a home equity loan or HELOC to consolidate your debt. However, using your home as collateral makes the debt more risky and puts your property at risk of foreclosure if you miss repayment obligations.
You can also consider taking out a personal loan or borrowing against your 401 (k) retirement account, although these options carry higher risks and may be less affordable.
Loan Modification
Homeowners struggling to afford their mortgage payments may find that a loan modification is the best option to prevent foreclosure. This process involves submitting a loss mitigation application to your lender or servicer, and it can include a hardship letter, financial documents, proof of income, profit and loss statements (for self-employed individuals), and a budget worksheet that shows your expenses versus your income.
In a loan modification, your mortgage terms are temporarily or permanently changed. Lenders might lower your interest rate, change the term of your loan, switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate mortgage, reduce your principal balance or forgive payment defaults and fees.
While a loan modification could save you from collection lawsuits and credit damage accompanying a foreclosure, it can also extend your mortgage term and cost you extra in the long run. A foreclosure defense attorney from law offices near me can help review your options and determine if a loan modification is your best choice.
Short Sale
A short sale allows a homeowner to sell the property for less than what is owed on the mortgage. This is usually a better option than foreclosure because it does not damage your credit nearly as much. It is important to know that the deficiency, or difference between what the seller paid and the amount owed, is still your responsibility.
For a short sale to be approved, the lender has to agree that the owner lacks the financial capability to pay the balance due on the mortgage. Often, lenders will require the borrower to submit a hardship letter and financial statement to determine whether or not they will approve the sale.
You must immediately act if you need to catch up on your mortgage payments or your home is underwater. Contact a Long Island foreclosure defense lawyer directly to discover alternative options.
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
If you are behind on your mortgage and think that foreclosure may be imminent, a deed in lieu of foreclosure might be a solution. In exchange for releasing your mortgage, you can give the lender the title to the property. This process can benefit you and your lender, as it spares them from expensive foreclosure procedures.
A deed-in-lieu also helps you avoid the stigma of foreclosure, which can harm your credit rating and make it harder to obtain a mortgage. A deed in place does not eliminate the debt, and cancellation income is usually taxable.
If the house is in good condition and there is enough equity for it to be sold at a fair price, lenders are more likely to approve a loan instead. In addition, they will want to know if any liens or tax judgments need to be paid off as a part of the deed in lieu agreement.
