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Since the U.S housing market bubble collapsed in 2008, bank foreclosure has become a reality for millions of homeowners. People who understand foreclosure rules have the best chance of keeping their property or minimizing their personal losses if the foreclosures go forward.

What Is Bank Foreclosure?

Every mortgage spells out the lender's remedies if the mortgage holder fails to make timely payments or properly maintain and insure a property. A bank choosing foreclosure to protect its loan investment takes physical possession and legal ownership of the home. It can then attempt to sell the real estate for enough money to cover the remaining balance on the loan.

What Triggers the Bank Foreclosure Process?

Foreclosure typically follows a borrower's sustained failure to meet the mortgage terms. Missing between three and six months of payments, dropping insurance or damaging the property enough to significantly reduce its value can trigger foreclosure. Each state has a specific legal process allowing the bank to transfer the home's title back to itself.

Costs of Bank Foreclosure

A bank assumes legal, postage and advertising fees for each property it places in foreclosure. More fees accrue if the home actually goes to auction. Borrowers have the right to correct the mortgage situation throughout the foreclosure process, but they must also pay the bank's foreclosure fees. The best scenario for a borrower is to avoid foreclosure if at all possible.

Avoiding Foreclosure

Meeting mortgage payments on time and properly maintaining and insuring a home is sometimes impossible, especially following a job loss or medical emergency. In these instances, it is best to notify the bank immediately and negotiate a temporary change in mortgage terms. This change can lower the monthly payments to a manageable level until the borrower's financial situation improves.

It may also leave money necessary repairs and insurance premiums. If the bank refuses to negotiate, the borrower can attempt to refinance through another lender or sell the home and pay off the loan. Bank foreclosure seriously damages a credit history and makes it difficult for a borrower to obtain future mortgages.

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Q: Bank Foreclosure: a Homeowner's Overview
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Is there a Federal Grant Program for homeowners facing foreclosure?

There is no federal grant program for homeowners facing foreclosure. Many states do offer assistance.


How do you proceed with a deed in lieu of foreclosure and what are the advantages?

One advantage is that the foreclosure process will end sooner. Once the bank accepts the deed in lieu of foreclosure, all of the legal procedures come to a end immediately. The bank accepts the deed as payment in full for the loan, and the homeowners are no longer in default of the mortgage. Another benefit is the homeowners will not have as badly damaged credit as if they had gone through the full foreclosure. With the foreclosure process ending sooner, there are fewer missed mortgage payments. The bank typically reports late payments up until the month of the county foreclosure auction, which can result in many missed payments. With a deed in lieu of foreclosure, some of these can be avoided, as the foreclosure process is terminated early. This, in turn, allows homeowners to begin recovering financially more quickly than if they had let the home go through with the entire foreclosure process. They can begin working on credit repair sooner rather than later.


Does homeowners insurance cover foreclosure?

No. Homeowners Insurance does not cover the owners default on a mortgage note.


Can a bank take your money from bank after foreclosure?

no


Who initiates a foreclosure?

The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.

Related questions

Do banks or homeowners have foreclosure auctions?

Lenders will occasionally have foreclosure auctions. Homeowners will often sell their property to avoid foreclosure.


Is there a Federal Grant Program for homeowners facing foreclosure?

There is no federal grant program for homeowners facing foreclosure. Many states do offer assistance.


How do you proceed with a deed in lieu of foreclosure and what are the advantages?

One advantage is that the foreclosure process will end sooner. Once the bank accepts the deed in lieu of foreclosure, all of the legal procedures come to a end immediately. The bank accepts the deed as payment in full for the loan, and the homeowners are no longer in default of the mortgage. Another benefit is the homeowners will not have as badly damaged credit as if they had gone through the full foreclosure. With the foreclosure process ending sooner, there are fewer missed mortgage payments. The bank typically reports late payments up until the month of the county foreclosure auction, which can result in many missed payments. With a deed in lieu of foreclosure, some of these can be avoided, as the foreclosure process is terminated early. This, in turn, allows homeowners to begin recovering financially more quickly than if they had let the home go through with the entire foreclosure process. They can begin working on credit repair sooner rather than later.


Does homeowners insurance cover foreclosure?

No. Homeowners Insurance does not cover the owners default on a mortgage note.


How can homeowners stop foreclosure?

There are a few ways that homeowners can stop foreclosure. If they cannot meat their mortgage commitments, they can try and renegotiate their mortgage with their lender. They can also try to get a court order.


Can a mortgage borrower apply for court foreclosure?

No. A borrower cannot "apply" for foreclosure. A bank commences a foreclosure when the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments.No. A borrower cannot "apply" for foreclosure. A bank commences a foreclosure when the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments.No. A borrower cannot "apply" for foreclosure. A bank commences a foreclosure when the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments.No. A borrower cannot "apply" for foreclosure. A bank commences a foreclosure when the borrower defaults on their mortgage payments.


Can a bank take your money from bank after foreclosure?

no


Who initiates a foreclosure?

The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.The bank that loaned the money initiates the foreclosure when the debtor fails to make the payments. Generally, the bank is represented by a law firm that specializes in foreclosure and the law firm begins the procedure.


Will they take your assets if you're in foreclosure?

This depends on state law. Some states allow the lender to sue the homeowners after the foreclosure auction, if the proceeds of the sale are not sufficient enough to pay off the total owed on the loan. In reality, though, homeowners are rarely sued by the bank after the sheriff sale. The lender does not want to continue spending money and resources to pursue another lawsuit that they will not be able to collect on.


If you are not able to make your house payment do you have to file bankruptcy or will the bank foreclose on the house and not garnish your income?

Bankruptcy only temporarily prevents foreclosure action. A house is considered secure property so it is up to the lender as to what action will be taken, foreclosure or reaffirmation of the loan. The bank would pursue foreclosure and not wage garnishment. If you're in a house you can't afford any longer, sell it. Too many homeowners wait too long. Don't wait for the bank to foreclose.


Are condo or homeowners dues in arrears discharged after the bank forecloses?

Only items reported to the credit bureau (s) can be "charged off" after a foreclosure and that is up to the creditors descretion. Items are discharged after a bankruptcy, not foreclosure (two separate things -- although a foreclosure can happen within a bankruptcy) Usually what happens in a foreclosure is that the assoc. dues that are in arrears are paid from proceeds at sale closing and the new owners will start fresh.


What is the difference between a tax foreclosure auction and a bank foreclosure auction?

One is done by the IRS, and the other is done by your bank.