Friday, 18 July 2008

Tips to Stop a Foreclosure Sale

By Irene Parkdale

Earlier this year, it was forecast that 1.4 million houses will be subject to a foreclosure in 2008 alone. The drastic increase in foreclosures in the US is leaving many families to wonder what can be done to stop a foreclosure sale. For homeowners coping with foreclosure, it can be a very difficult situation. With time running short, you must look for ways to stop foreclosure right away.

If this sounds like you, there is still hope. If you act fast to confront the problem, you can avoid the foreclosure process in the first place. Ideally, you should contact your lender prior to receiving a "Notice of Default". It may be possible to work out a resolution with your lender if you are familiar with your choices and act quickly.

If you want to stop foreclosure after you get a notice of foreclosure sale, you have't got much time left. There are still a few solutions that you can think about up to the last minute such as filing for bankruptcy.

Here we will go over a few popular ways to avoid foreclosure

Come to a Resolution With Your Mortgage Lender

The best way to stop foreclosure altogether is to negotiate directly with your lender for a mutually acceptable solution. A few common resolutions include repayment plans, loan modifications and short sales. To figure out if this is the right solution for your situation, you must talk to the bank. Foreclosure specialists may be useful if you'd rather leave the discussions to the pros.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is usually a last effort, not something you would choose on merit of the foreclosure alone. If you have other debt problems and little to no income, however a bankruptcy might be the right solution for you. There are two basic types of bankruptcy - a chapter 7 and a chapter 13. A chapter 7 is a temporary fix but will stop the foreclosure until the lender gets the permission of the bankruptcy court. A chapter 13 is designed to payback creditors by developing a court monitored repayment plan. Your mortgage loan can be one of the debts considered for a repayment plan, only if both sides agree or the court delcares. Do know that choosing bankruptcy can have major consequences for you in the long term.

Foreclosure Refinance Loans

Depending on your level of income, credit scores, and your positive equity it might be possible to find a bank or private lender who would be willing to refinance your loan in full. Then, you could pay back the foreclosing bank and avoid foreclosure. You will be required to pay all associated penalities and fees. Many homeowners choose the refinance option, but it only works in situations where there is some some degree of equity in the home.

The Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Option

If you are in a situation where you can't truly afford your home, you may be considering a "Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure". A deed in lieu of foreclosure is giving the home to the bank. Although you lose the home, you can avoid a stressful foreclosure that ends the same way.

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