Fighting Foreclosures: What You Can Do

Fighting foreclosures is possible, even when it seems like all hope is lost. If you are concerned that you could be in danger of losing your house, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer who works with victims of real estate missteps. You could find that the bank is bringing down the hammer illegally. Even if not, a good lawyer will be able to direct you towards the best financial path. If you're not quite to the point of needing a lawyer (though be warned—that moment can arrive sooner than you might think), here are some of the things you can do to escape the dreaded event.

Sale

It's not going to be easy, but you could try selling the house. While this is the best method of avoiding foreclosures, it isn't always a practical one. The bank tends to move quickly in these situations, and you might find it hard to get a price anywhere near what your home is worth. Of course, if you enlist the help of a real estate agent willing to work with you on the subject of appeal, you could stand out in the crowd and pull off a miracle. Nonetheless, this shouldn't be your only plan.

Negotiation

If you're just reading letters from your lender, you could be making a big mistake. The bank has no way of reading your mind. If there's a plan that could save you from what seems like the inevitable, ask them about it. See if they are willing to adjust your mortgage in a way that could make payments possible again. Foreclosures are bad for both the lender and the homeowner. The bank wants to avoid it if possible, so make it easy on them. If you can show them that you have the means to pay an adjusted plan, see if they are willing to work with you. Having a lawyer by your side may make negotiations a bit easier.

File Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy isn't going to do your credit any favors, but neither are foreclosures. If it has reached the point where one or the other is inevitable, you might find that filing is your best chance at keeping the house. Look to Chapter 13 bankruptcy for an opportunity to keep the house, although you'll have to meet certain standards of income to qualify. Chapter 7 will result in you losing the house, but it may give you a little more time to find somewhere else to live. Every moment is precious when faced with something that will uproot your family.