The economy crushed our neighborhood. Empty lawns, silent barbecues, and vacant driveways surrounded empty homes on our streets. I knew I was not going to be able to pay my monthly mortgage but I was paralyzed.
I lost my job and my wife took a second low paying one. I sat in the attic sorting items to put up for sale. Our personal history included my powder blue tuxedo and my wife’s strapless wedding gown. Toys we gave are now grown children surrounded an electric breast pump. My plan to lose weight fast included several discarded exercise devices.
The thought of losing our house was simply not in the cards. I am typical male that does not really listen. I just want to solve the problem. I had no experience in losing a home or more importantly how to avoid losing a home to the bank.
I got proactive. I determined who had my mortgage and contacted them to see what options I had available. Mortgages are bundled together and sold and often resold. You mortgage may now be with a company thousands of miles from the downtown bank that financed your house. FHA loans, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans all have free counselors with toll free numbers.
VA and HUD also have free counselors to determine if you qualify for loan modification programs. You may also fit a special needs category that entitles you to modified loan. Work quickly and do not waste any business days. The clock is ticking on your foreclosure.
You have a specific number of days from the time you default to the day your home will be taken back by the lender. You have several weeks to cure the payments you are in arrears. If you can cure the default you will then resume your regular monthly payments as if nothing ever happened.
The process may vary from state to state. You need to check to determine if you have a one year right of redemption. The time period may be different and it may not apply to your state. Redemption rights should be established.
What if you cannot bail yourself out or find a solution in partnership with your lender? Your home will be scheduled for auction. Do not wait until you are standing in the middle of your garage sale holding your default notice to find a solution. Start the minute you even think you may not be able to make your monthly mortgage payment.
Tags: foreclosure, foreclosures, loan modification programs, mortgage, Notice of Default, Realtor