San Jose Foreclosure Help

Foreclosure Help – How to Avoid Foreclosure on Your Home

Get Foreclosure Help! Learn how to avoid foreclosure on your home. Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges a homeowner can face. More times than not, foreclosure can be avoided. The options available to homeowners are many. Most homeowners are not aware of the options they have and what options are a consideration at different points of non-payment.  Consider the following options for avoiding foreclosure and the advantages and disadvantages of ways to stop foreclosure:

Reinstatement

A reinstatement is a straightforward solution to avoid foreclosure. It is also the most difficult. Reinstatement is when a homeowner brings the mortgage current. To do this, a homeowner requests the total amount owed to the lender, as of the date of the reinstatement, including late charges, and pays that amount in full.

• Advantage: A homeowner does not need the lender’s approval to reinstate the loan to stop foreclosure. A loan can be reinstated up to the day before the final foreclosure sale.
• Disadvantage: All missed payments, plus late fees and fines must be paid. Unless a homeowner’s financial situation changes drastically, most homeowners are not able to reinstate their loan.

Repayment Plan or Forbearance

A repayment plan or forbearance allows the homeowner to pay missed payments over some time. The terms of repayment must be negotiated with the lender. Typically, a homeowner will pay a portion of the back payments owed together with their regular mortgage payment.

• Advantage: Missed payments can be paid overtime to avoid foreclosure.
• Disadvantage: Must have financial resources to pay the current mortgage plus an additional negotiated amount. Some lenders have “qualifying” criteria for a forbearance or repayment plan.

Foreclosure Help | Mortgage Modification

Modifying a mortgage involves reducing the interest rate on the loan, reducing the principal balance of the loan, changing the term of the loan, or any combination thereof. Mortgage modifications typically result in a lower, more affordable payment.

• Advantage: Creates an affordable monthly payment and/or principal balance reduction that may allow a homeowner to keep their home.
• Disadvantage: A homeowner must “qualify” for a loan modification and provide documentation to support the ability to continue to make payments.

Rent the Property

If a homeowner can rent their home for more than the mortgage payment, then the property can be converted to a rental, and use the rental income to pay the mortgage.

• • • • • • Advantage: Homeowners can keep the property for an indefinite period.
          • Disadvantage: Rent is often not enough to cover a mortgage payment, property taxes, and maintenance costs.

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

Deed in Lieu is commonly referred to as a “friendly foreclosure.” Rather than forcing the foreclosure process, a homeowner returns the property to the lender. The homeowner must leave the property vacant. A deed in lieu does require lender approval.

• Advantage: Many lenders will relinquish the right to a deficient judgment.
• Disadvantage: Property must be vacant and may be reported to the credit bureaus as a foreclosure.

Foreclosure Help | Bankruptcy

Will bankruptcy stop foreclosure? Bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure is an option in some states and certain situations. If a homeowner has non-mortgage debt which causes the inability to make the mortgage payment and a personal bankruptcy will eliminate the debt, then bankruptcy may be a solution. Bankruptcy will not stop foreclosure. It will only stall the process.

• Advantage: Lender approval is not required.
• Disadvantage: Bankruptcy is damaging to credit scores and it can be costly.

Refinance

If there is sufficient equity in the property and the homeowners’ credit is in good standing, a homeowner may be able to refinance their mortgage creating more manageable payments and more favorable loan terms.

• Advantage: May lower monthly payments.
• Disadvantage: It can be a costly process. It may, in some cases, raise the monthly payment.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (military personnel only)

Members of the military who are experiencing financial distress due to deployment may qualify for relief. One must prove the debt was created before deployment. A foreclosure attorney will work with service members in qualifying for this relief.

• Advantage: May lower payments on all consumer debt as well as mortgage payments.
• Disadvantage: Only active military qualify.

Foreclosure Help | Sell the Property

A homeowner may choose to sell their home and keep the equity. It’s important to hire an experienced and qualified Short Sale agent who will ensure the home is sold quickly thus maximizing the amount of money a homeowner will retain.

• Advantage: Ability to save the equity in the home.
• Disadvantage: Many homeowners do not have equity and will need to negotiate a short sale.

Short Sale

If a homeowner owes more on their property than the home is currently worth, and the homeowner meets the lender’s qualification criteria, then the lender may allow the homeowner to sell the home for less than the amount owed in a short sale.

A homeowner must have a hardship. There are many types of hardships. Some examples of hardships are:

• Job loss
• Divorce
• Relocation
• Increase in mortgage payments
• Excessive debt

• Advantage: Typically better on credit rating and allows homeowners to avoid foreclosure. A homeowner may qualify for another mortgage in as little as 2 years. Public records will not reflect a foreclosure and may not create a deficiency judgment.
• Disadvantage: Short sales require patience. The process requires the homeowners’ full cooperation and the need to contract with a trained and certified agent for foreclosure help.

Get help with stopping foreclosure. Call today and schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation. Every situation is unique to every homeowner. Understand your options so that you may determine a solution best for you!

We welcome the opportunity to provide foreclosure help to avoid foreclosure or stop foreclosure.  We will help you understand your options in any San Jose Short Sale situation.