Options That Can Stop Foreclosure

If you are facing foreclosure and have tried everything possible to avoid foreclosure you are likely wondering if any options are left to you. Believe it or not, there are still a few options remaining that can help you stop foreclosure.

Private Sales

While you are in foreclosure you still retain the right to sell the property since the lender hasn’t yet taken possession of the home. Selling the home will release you from the mortgage and avoid foreclosure. There are three common methods a private sale can take – a short sale; a private listing; and a property auction. Any one of these can work to your advantage but all three also have pitfalls to be aware of.

Short Sales

The short sale is a method of selling your home where the accepted price is lower than the actual value of the home. This option usually yeilds a selling price less than what is owed on the mortgage. While this method can avoid foreclosure, you must get the deal approved by the lender first. If you can show the lender the benefit of a short sale you can stop foreclosure and walk away with acceptable credit to regroup later. The benefit to the lender is that allowing the home to go into foreclosure would cost much higher than allowing it to be sold for reduced amounts.

Private Listings

This type of sale is where you sell the home to a cash buyer. The sale can go quickly once you find someone willing to buy the property. To conduct a private sale you must first evaluate the market around you to determine the selling value of your house compared to others like it. Advertise on free classified sites and in local shoppers as this will be the cheapest method to get the word out. Make sure to have pictures, both inside and outside. The downside to this is that home values may be lower than you owe which results in a short sale.

Property Auctions

Auctions are the fastest way to avoid foreclosure. The property can sell in a single day. If you choose to auction the property you must be ready to close and get out when the auctioneer sells your house. To ensure the property sells for near what you need, set a reserve price. The reserve is the lowest amount you will accept from bidders but is not always advertised. The downside to this method is that the house may not sell, or may not meet the reserve you set; and if the house doesn’t sell, you must still pay the auctioneer.

Bankruptcy

Declaring bankruptcy basically means admitting the bills are higher than you can manage. A bankruptcy proceeding will stop all creditors and lenders from trying to collect. It will also stop foreclosure – temporarily. Research your local state laws in regards to bankruptcies. During bankruptcy you can homestead your residence to some degree in all but four states  - Deleware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Homesteading a residence means you cannot be forced from the property as long as you make the payments on the mortgage; which you may be able to do because all other payments are now in the hands of the bankruptcy court and trustee. You can also choose to walk away from the home and let the court dispose of it. Make sure you talk to a qualified attorney before deciding on this avenue because even if you stop foreclosure you still have a bankruptcy on your credit file for ten years.

If you are in foreclosure the goal is not to panic. There are options available. Start working the system to your advantage. You won’t come out unaffected but you will come out the other end.

 

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