Home Loans and Mortgages ? Tips to Avoid Foreclosure


Today's real estate market is a volatile one; prices are at record levels and Interest rates are favorable, but foreclosures are increasing. Wages haven't kept up with home prices and some buyers who had to stretch to find a way to obtain a mortgage in the first place are having trouble making their payments. Usually, if a buyer cannot meet his or her mortgage obligation, the lender forecloses, taking the home and leaving the buyer without a place to live and a tarnished credit record. If you are having problems paying your mortgage, can you avoid this scenario?

Depending on your type of mortgage and your lender, you may have other options. Most lenders, wary of rising foreclosure rates, would rather work out some sort of solution than take your home. Lenders are in the business of lending money, not selling houses, and the process of foreclosure is a tedious one that most institutions would rather avoid. The first thing you should do if you find yourself with a problem making your payments is to call your lender and discuss the matter with them. The sooner you contact them, the more likely you are to work out a solution that's agreeable to both of you.

Here are a few possible options for buyers who are having temporary cash flow problems:

  • Your lender may agree to temporarily suspend payments until you are able to resume paying them. Alternatively, your lender may be willing to restructure or refinance your loan.
  • If your loan is insured by the department Housing and Urban Development or the FHA, you may be eligible for a one-time payment to bring your mortgage payments up to date. For details, contact the HUD or FHA directly.
  • You may be able to sell your home to pay off your loan. This is clearly not the first choice for many homeowners, but it is a better option than losing your home outright. Rising real estate prices during the last few years have left many homeowners with a lot of equity. You may be able to sell your home for more than you owe, which will relieve your debt and leave you with some cash left over.
  • Your lender may be willing to simply take the home back, rather than force you out of it. You lose the house, but your credit rating will not likely suffer.
  • These are just a few choices that may be available to you. Your lender may offer other solutions, as well, so don't' hesitate to call them if you find yourself in financial trouble. It is far better to contact the lender and tell them of your problems than to have them call you and ask, "Where is our money?" Be forthright and tell them that you want to work something out, and you may find a solution that allows you to keep your home. It never hurts to ask.

    ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans .







    Related News



    When's the Right Time to Refinance? - WFMZ-TV Online

    When's the Right Time to Refinance?
    WFMZ-TV Online, PA -4 hours ago
    It makes sense for people to refinance right now. Rates have fallen one percent in the past two months. FARRIS: Christine Bell with Allegiance Mortgage...


    FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes - The Associated Press

    CEP News

    FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes
    The Associated Press -10 hours ago
    "Getting mortgage rates down is ... positive, but it doesn't help people that currently have unaffordable mortgages because it doesn't help them refinance," ...
    US Mortgage Continues to Assist Homeowners During Mortgage CrisesWebWire (press release)
    all 66 news articles

    Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1) - Bloomberg

    ABC News

    Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1)
    Bloomberg -11 hours ago
    ... been prodding private mortgage servicers and bond investors to cooperate with government efforts to modify or refinance loans for troubled borrowers. ...
    Treasurys gain as jobs outlook appears sourMarketWatch
    US Federal Reserve chairman calls for mortgage reformThe Australian
    Bernanke calls for measures to stem foreclosuresInternational Herald Tribune
    Seeking Alpha - The Associated Press
    all 1,291 news articles

    US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week - Bloomberg

    RTT News

    US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week
    Bloomberg -Dec 3, 2008
    The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan jumped 112 percent to 857.7, the highest level since March, ...
    Mortgage Apps On Rise As Rates DropCBS News
    FINANCIAL STOCKS Bulls outlast bears in Wednesday grudge matchMarketWatch
    Falling rates spark rush to mortgage applicationsUSA Today
    Reuters - CNNMoney.com
    all 147 news articles

    Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role - Washington Post

    Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role
    Washington Post, United States -3 hours ago
    But other observers say the government has few options to keep money flowing to consumers who want to buy or refinance a home. "We don't have a choice," ...

    Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key - Reuters

    Boston Globe

    Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key
    Reuters -Dec 3, 2008
    Applications to buy and refinance homes hurtled higher last week as the lowest rates since the summer of 2005 unleashed pent-up demand. ...
    US must ensure market aid is temporary: SEC's CoxReuters
    all 1,956 news articles

    Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall - EasyBourse.com

    Sify

    Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall
    EasyBourse.com, France -Dec 3, 2008
    The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of refinance applications posted a record 203.3% increase over the previous week. Additionally, the US Treasury ...
    Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifyingLos Angeles Times
    US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since FebruaryBaltimore Sun
    Last Call for Smart HomeownersMotley Fool
    About - News & Issues - AHN
    all 503 news articles

    Geithner Seeks to Push FDIC’s Bair Out After Clashes (Update1) - Bloomberg

    Geithner Seeks to Push FDIC’s Bair Out After Clashes (Update1)
    Bloomberg -7 hours ago
    ... that contributed to the subprime mortgage mess. This year, Bair has proposed using taxpayer funds to help refinance loans for struggling homeowners. ...

    A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates Fall - New York Times

    WNCT

    A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates Fall
    New York Times, United States -14 hours ago
    The Mortgage Bankers Association said its refinance index, which measures refinancing activity, tripled to 3802.8 last week from the week before. ...
    Treasury mulls plan to lower mortgage rates to 4.5%CNNMoney.com
    MBS Markets Skeptical of Mortgage PlansWall Street Journal
    Kashkari: Treasury considering mortgage rate planThe Associated Press
    San Jose Mercury News - New York Times
    all 796 news articles

    Mortgage Rate Drop Causing Local Residents To Refinance - WIFR

    Mortgage Rate Drop Causing Local Residents To Refinance
    WIFR, IL -3 hours ago
    "the percentage of refinancing applications has increased dramatically.. we're running from 25 percent to 75 percent refinance since the rates dropped. ...