Reasons why homeowners go into foreclosure
Not being able to afford what is owed on the mortgage
Job loss
Medical issues
Don't want the house anymore
Why do some homeowners choose to foreclose
Some homeowners have an adjustable-rate mortgage, and if there is an increase in interest, the monthly mortgage payments can go up. Some homeowners intentionally miss their mortgage payments. The homeowners have no financial drive to continue to pay their mortgage. When the amount owed on the mortgage is more than the home’s actual value, that home is “underwater.” Some homeowners don’t pay their mortgage and just leave it up to the lender to deal with it.
Foreclosure prevention tips
The most important thing to do is watch what you are doing with your money. You should be trying to save what you can. Do not waste money on things you do not need, and focus on paying your mortgage.
Making your mortgage payments can be hard, but it can be easier if you save your money, keep a budget, and plan. If you are having a hard time paying your mortgage, but you are making enough money, you could try and make a budget. There are a lot of different ways to avoid foreclosure.
How to avoid getting into a foreclosure situation
Foreclosure varies through states
Foreclosure Process
Missed mortgage payments
Notice of default
The lender will give the homeowner what is called a Notice of Default. This notice tells the homeowner what they need to do to get back on track and avoid foreclosure, such as making payments or agreeing with their monthly payment for that month going forward. This notice is what the lender uses to track what they are owed and what payments they have received. The notice lets the homeowner know that they will proceed with legal action if the debt is not paid.
Short Sale
A short sale is another option instead of foreclosure. A short sale is when the homeowner sells the house for less than what is owed on the mortgage. The property buyer is a third party, and all of the money is given to the lender. The lender has to permit to go through with a short sale.
Foreclosure
Once the lender records the public notice, the foreclosure process begins. Usually, when the foreclosure process begins, the homeowner has 90 days to act. They could sell the property through a short sale if the lender agrees. They can pay the outstanding balance of the loan. You could sell the home if there is enough equity to pay off the loan. Or you could sign The Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure Option.
Auction
The trustee or mortgage investor will put up the house for auction, also called a foreclosure sale. The foreclosure sale is open to the public and can be online, at a convention center, or the county courthouse. The minimum bid is mostly set at the loan cost, and the home is obviously sold to the highest bidder. If the home is bought at auction, the homeowner must move out and the new homeowner has the right to do what they please with the house. If the home is not bought at auction, then the property goes back to the bank.
Trying to buy a foreclosed home
Where to find a foreclosure
You can find a foreclosure by going through what is called Foreclosure Listings. There are many websites and companies that put up what foreclosures they have, what the price will be, and what condition it is in. You can also find foreclosures in local newspapers.
Different ways to buy a foreclosure
Buying a pre-foreclosed home
Buy a short sale property
Buy bank-owned property
Risk of buying foreclosures
The best thing about buying a foreclosure is the price of the home. Most foreclosed homes are sold below their market value, but it isn’t always worth the price. Most people who are going through the foreclosure process are not keeping up with their monthly mortgage payments. That means that they are also probably not keeping up on regular upkeep. They probably can not afford essential repairs. Some homeowners who are about to get the house taken, start to remove appliances and sometimes even vandalize the home. If this is the case, then buying the home would probably not be worth it.
Buying a foreclosed home can also be a timely process. The reason for this is all of the extra paperwork. Some banks also get overflowed with foreclosures and can take up to 3 months to respond to your offer. The last thing that is bad about trying to buy a foreclosure is the competition. It is a competition with other potential buyers, like experienced house flippers and investors. When a foreclosed home is priced substantially lower than other homes in the area, a bidding war usually breaks out.
How to sell a foreclosure
You usually do not want your home to go through the foreclosure process. You lose a lot of money, and your credit score also shoots up. A way to save your credit score and a way to cash out is to sell your home. If your home is about to be foreclosed, and you want to sell your house fast, you can sell with an investor.
