FRED
09-07-06, 01:58 PM
HELP! I’m in foreclosure. Now what?
by Sean O'Toole
September 8, 2006
Unfortunately there is a lot of mis-information about what to do when you go into foreclosure. Most of the folks who contact you are primarily interested in selling “their” solution… a new loan, selling your home, etc. Here is a brief summary of your real options, some things to watch out for and some legitimate sources of information. We hope it helps!
Your options once in foreclosure:
1. Find the money to bring your loan current. Easier said then done. But if your financial problems were just temporary, and you can make your payments going forward, it might be worth selling something, or working weekends to catch up.
2. Work it out with your lender. The number one mistake most people make when facing foreclosure is not talking to their lender. The idea that the lender wants your house is largely a myth. It is typically in their best interest to work things out with you, especially if your financial problems are temporary. Options then can offer include:
Loan modification: Typically they modify your loan to add the past due amount to the principal balance, which spreads repayment over the entire loan term such that you only have a small payment increase.
Forebearance agreement: Allows you to repay the past due amount over a period of time. Your home typically stays in foreclosure during the forebearance, so be very careful that no payments are late during this time as the lender can sell your house immediately if just one payment is late with no further notice.
Short sale: If the value of your home has decreased, the lender may be willing to accept less than the full amount due upon sale of your home. Note that they will typically require proof that both: a) the house is worth less than you owe after sales commission, and b) that you no longer have the financial ability to make the payment. Be sure to hire a Realtor with short sale experience to handle the sale.
Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure: The lender allows you to hand over the keys and walk away. This is very rare as the lender then becomes responsible for any additional debts you may have encumbered on the property. They typically prefer to complete the foreclosure which wipes out loans and liens that were incurred after theirs. That said it never hurts to ask.3. Get a new loan – either to refinance the existing loan, or an additional loan. Even if your credit has taken a hit you may find that this is still possible, especially if you have equity. Just make sure that when you are done you can afford the new, likely higher, payments. There are a number of loan options:
Refinance: Simply a new loan for enough to cover the principal and past due amounts on the existing loan(s). With rates going up, and your credit likely going down, you may find that the new loan has significantly higher payments. If you have a good loan with a low rate, you may want to consider other options.
Take a home equity loan or home equity line of credit: If you have just one loan on your property and sufficient equity you may want to consider a home equity loan, or 2nd, to repay the past due amount. Most banks offer these and the process can take less than 2 weeks.
Hard money loans: These loans are made without any regard to your credit, and are based solely on the equity in your home. They tend to be very expensive both in the fees charged and the interest rate. That said they still may make sense if you have sufficient equity and a good plan to pay them down quickly.
Consumer finance loans / credit cards. Depending on the damage already done to your credit you may be able to borrow a sufficient amount to bring yourself current. Like hard money loans the interest rates tend to be very high, though the fees tend to be far lower.4. Sell. If your financial situation is anything other than really temporary this should be your first choice. It has been said that a man’s home is his castle, but owning a home you can not afford often feels more like a jail, no matter how much you may think you love it and can not live without it. If you choose this option, just remember that it can take quite a bit of time to sell, especially if you want the best price, so it is best to start early. To sell you have a number of options:
Hire a Realtor: You’ll typically net the most money with this option. While the Realtor takes a big commission, they can often get enough more for the home to more than make up for it. The key is to find a good Realtor. Not your sister in law who will list it cheap because she really needs the listing. Find the top agent in your area. This usually isn’t hard because their name is everywhere. Their signs are everywhere. Just make sure they have enough time to do a good job for you. Also make sure too keep your lender in the loop and verify that you have enough time before the foreclosure auction. If there isn’t enough equity left in the home to price it correctly then make sure the Realtor is experienced with negotiating a short sale with the bank (see above).
For Sale By Owner (FSBO): You save the commission but do all the work. You also risk incorrectly pricing your house which will either keep it from selling (priced to high), or net you less than you deserve (priced to low).
Quick sale to an investor: You’ll definitely get less money, but if time is running out and you just want to move on this can be a viable option. Be careful of subject to sales, and avoid lease option deals where you get a promise that you’ll be able to buy the house back.5. Declare bankruptcy: The first thing to know about this option is that it does not truly stop foreclosure, it typically just delays it. The lender is considered a “secured” creditor by the bankruptcy system and that essentially gives them the right to either be paid in full or receive the security (in this case the home). If you remain unable to make the house payment you will ultimately lose it in foreclosure, and the bankruptcy will only delay the inevitable and worsen your credit. Note that a bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, a foreclosure only 7. If on the other hand you are struggling due to high credit card debt, judgements, wage attachments or other financial problems that can be restructured under bankruptcy, it might be just the ticket. The key here is to find a really good bankruptcy attorney that will give you honest advice, and not just take your money to file a bankruptcy that will hurt more than help.
6. Let the property go to foreclosure: Crazy as it sounds this is sometimes the best option. Many times the buyer at the auction will even pay you to move out after they buy the house.
Know all your options, find good, qualified people to help and you’lll do just fine. A couple of gotcha’s to watch out for:
Fraud. A lot of folks prey on homeowners in foreclosure. If something sounds to good to be true it usually is. Remember that fraud depends on trust. The folks that are the best at it always appear to be someone you can trust. So be careful, use common sense, and don’t be afraid to talk to a lawyer, your lender, or others about any offers you receive.
Deficiency judgements. Depending on the state you live in, and the type of loan you have the lender might be able to get a deficiency judgement against you if they receive less than what you owe. So check your state laws, and do everything you can to maximize the homes sales price to minimize the possibility of a deficiency.
Taxes. Note that if the lender receives less than they are owed you may get a 1099 at the end of the year for the amount of debt that was “forgiven”. Say you have a $100,000 loan and the house sells at foreclosure for $80,000… you could owe taxes on $20,0000 of income. This is in addtion to any capital gains taxes you owe because your property sold more than you bought it for. If possible talk to a tax advisor or accountant to better understand the impact before you sign a particular deal.Additional resources:
State foreclosure laws and deficiency judgements (http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/foreclosure)
Freddie Mac, Avoiding Foreclosure (http://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buyown/english/owning/avoid_foreclosure.html)
Fannie Mae, Loss Mitigation (http://www.fanniemae.com/housingcommdev/resourceshomeed/lossmitigation.jhtml?p=Affordable+Housing+%26+Comm unity+Development&s=Resources+for+Homeowner+Educators&t=Loss+Mitigation+Policies)
Foreclosure Tax Consequence (http://www.wwlaw.com/forecl.htm)
Sean O'Toole, Owner/Broker, Granite Realty, Inc., is a regular contributor to iTulip.com.
Currently drawing from 12 years of experience in the software industry to build a successful real estate investment track record using technology as a key competitive advantage. Specializing in distressed properties with nearly 150 residential and commercial projects completed in the past 4 years and creator of ForeclosureTruth.com (http://www.foreclosuretruth.com/2006/08/help-im-in-foreclosure-now-what)
Join our FREE Email Mailing List (http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1101238839116&p=oi)
Copyright ｩ iTulip, Inc. 1998 - 2006 All Rights Reserved
All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Nothing appearing on this website should be considered a recommendation to buy or to sell any security or related financial instrument. iTulip, Inc. is not liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. Full Disclaimer (http://www.itulip.com/forums/../GeneralDisclaimer.htm)
by Sean O'Toole
September 8, 2006
Unfortunately there is a lot of mis-information about what to do when you go into foreclosure. Most of the folks who contact you are primarily interested in selling “their” solution… a new loan, selling your home, etc. Here is a brief summary of your real options, some things to watch out for and some legitimate sources of information. We hope it helps!
Your options once in foreclosure:
1. Find the money to bring your loan current. Easier said then done. But if your financial problems were just temporary, and you can make your payments going forward, it might be worth selling something, or working weekends to catch up.
2. Work it out with your lender. The number one mistake most people make when facing foreclosure is not talking to their lender. The idea that the lender wants your house is largely a myth. It is typically in their best interest to work things out with you, especially if your financial problems are temporary. Options then can offer include:
Loan modification: Typically they modify your loan to add the past due amount to the principal balance, which spreads repayment over the entire loan term such that you only have a small payment increase.
Forebearance agreement: Allows you to repay the past due amount over a period of time. Your home typically stays in foreclosure during the forebearance, so be very careful that no payments are late during this time as the lender can sell your house immediately if just one payment is late with no further notice.
Short sale: If the value of your home has decreased, the lender may be willing to accept less than the full amount due upon sale of your home. Note that they will typically require proof that both: a) the house is worth less than you owe after sales commission, and b) that you no longer have the financial ability to make the payment. Be sure to hire a Realtor with short sale experience to handle the sale.
Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure: The lender allows you to hand over the keys and walk away. This is very rare as the lender then becomes responsible for any additional debts you may have encumbered on the property. They typically prefer to complete the foreclosure which wipes out loans and liens that were incurred after theirs. That said it never hurts to ask.3. Get a new loan – either to refinance the existing loan, or an additional loan. Even if your credit has taken a hit you may find that this is still possible, especially if you have equity. Just make sure that when you are done you can afford the new, likely higher, payments. There are a number of loan options:
Refinance: Simply a new loan for enough to cover the principal and past due amounts on the existing loan(s). With rates going up, and your credit likely going down, you may find that the new loan has significantly higher payments. If you have a good loan with a low rate, you may want to consider other options.
Take a home equity loan or home equity line of credit: If you have just one loan on your property and sufficient equity you may want to consider a home equity loan, or 2nd, to repay the past due amount. Most banks offer these and the process can take less than 2 weeks.
Hard money loans: These loans are made without any regard to your credit, and are based solely on the equity in your home. They tend to be very expensive both in the fees charged and the interest rate. That said they still may make sense if you have sufficient equity and a good plan to pay them down quickly.
Consumer finance loans / credit cards. Depending on the damage already done to your credit you may be able to borrow a sufficient amount to bring yourself current. Like hard money loans the interest rates tend to be very high, though the fees tend to be far lower.4. Sell. If your financial situation is anything other than really temporary this should be your first choice. It has been said that a man’s home is his castle, but owning a home you can not afford often feels more like a jail, no matter how much you may think you love it and can not live without it. If you choose this option, just remember that it can take quite a bit of time to sell, especially if you want the best price, so it is best to start early. To sell you have a number of options:
Hire a Realtor: You’ll typically net the most money with this option. While the Realtor takes a big commission, they can often get enough more for the home to more than make up for it. The key is to find a good Realtor. Not your sister in law who will list it cheap because she really needs the listing. Find the top agent in your area. This usually isn’t hard because their name is everywhere. Their signs are everywhere. Just make sure they have enough time to do a good job for you. Also make sure too keep your lender in the loop and verify that you have enough time before the foreclosure auction. If there isn’t enough equity left in the home to price it correctly then make sure the Realtor is experienced with negotiating a short sale with the bank (see above).
For Sale By Owner (FSBO): You save the commission but do all the work. You also risk incorrectly pricing your house which will either keep it from selling (priced to high), or net you less than you deserve (priced to low).
Quick sale to an investor: You’ll definitely get less money, but if time is running out and you just want to move on this can be a viable option. Be careful of subject to sales, and avoid lease option deals where you get a promise that you’ll be able to buy the house back.5. Declare bankruptcy: The first thing to know about this option is that it does not truly stop foreclosure, it typically just delays it. The lender is considered a “secured” creditor by the bankruptcy system and that essentially gives them the right to either be paid in full or receive the security (in this case the home). If you remain unable to make the house payment you will ultimately lose it in foreclosure, and the bankruptcy will only delay the inevitable and worsen your credit. Note that a bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, a foreclosure only 7. If on the other hand you are struggling due to high credit card debt, judgements, wage attachments or other financial problems that can be restructured under bankruptcy, it might be just the ticket. The key here is to find a really good bankruptcy attorney that will give you honest advice, and not just take your money to file a bankruptcy that will hurt more than help.
6. Let the property go to foreclosure: Crazy as it sounds this is sometimes the best option. Many times the buyer at the auction will even pay you to move out after they buy the house.
Know all your options, find good, qualified people to help and you’lll do just fine. A couple of gotcha’s to watch out for:
Fraud. A lot of folks prey on homeowners in foreclosure. If something sounds to good to be true it usually is. Remember that fraud depends on trust. The folks that are the best at it always appear to be someone you can trust. So be careful, use common sense, and don’t be afraid to talk to a lawyer, your lender, or others about any offers you receive.
Deficiency judgements. Depending on the state you live in, and the type of loan you have the lender might be able to get a deficiency judgement against you if they receive less than what you owe. So check your state laws, and do everything you can to maximize the homes sales price to minimize the possibility of a deficiency.
Taxes. Note that if the lender receives less than they are owed you may get a 1099 at the end of the year for the amount of debt that was “forgiven”. Say you have a $100,000 loan and the house sells at foreclosure for $80,000… you could owe taxes on $20,0000 of income. This is in addtion to any capital gains taxes you owe because your property sold more than you bought it for. If possible talk to a tax advisor or accountant to better understand the impact before you sign a particular deal.Additional resources:
State foreclosure laws and deficiency judgements (http://law.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/foreclosure)
Freddie Mac, Avoiding Foreclosure (http://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buyown/english/owning/avoid_foreclosure.html)
Fannie Mae, Loss Mitigation (http://www.fanniemae.com/housingcommdev/resourceshomeed/lossmitigation.jhtml?p=Affordable+Housing+%26+Comm unity+Development&s=Resources+for+Homeowner+Educators&t=Loss+Mitigation+Policies)
Foreclosure Tax Consequence (http://www.wwlaw.com/forecl.htm)
Sean O'Toole, Owner/Broker, Granite Realty, Inc., is a regular contributor to iTulip.com.
Currently drawing from 12 years of experience in the software industry to build a successful real estate investment track record using technology as a key competitive advantage. Specializing in distressed properties with nearly 150 residential and commercial projects completed in the past 4 years and creator of ForeclosureTruth.com (http://www.foreclosuretruth.com/2006/08/help-im-in-foreclosure-now-what)
Join our FREE Email Mailing List (http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1101238839116&p=oi)
Copyright ｩ iTulip, Inc. 1998 - 2006 All Rights Reserved
All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Nothing appearing on this website should be considered a recommendation to buy or to sell any security or related financial instrument. iTulip, Inc. is not liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. Full Disclaimer (http://www.itulip.com/forums/../GeneralDisclaimer.htm)