~ Homeowners having trouble making their mortgage payments or who are in default have options to consider before hiring a foreclosure rescue company or an attorney. Your mortgage servicer can assist you with foreclosure prevention methods that may get you back on track with your payments. In 2014 new mortgage rules went into effect which requires mortgage servicers to inform homeowners about all mortgage workout plans available to them if they have defaulted on the loan and to assign personnel help if the payment is past due.
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~ If you are late on your payment or are aware that you will have difficulty making your payments contact your mortgage servicer right away. Keeping the lines of communication open is critical to resolving issues with your loan. By staying in touch with your servicer you may be able to delay foreclosure proceedings if they are working with you to find a solution to your problem. Some of the options to bringing your loan current and save your home include repayment plans loan modifications or even forbearance. If you’re ineligible for any of these options your servicer may be able to help you find a solution other than foreclosure like a short sale or a voluntary transfer of the property through a “deed in lieu of foreclosure”. Other options to consider are selling your home or filing bankruptcy although due to the long lasting and serious effect of bankruptcy this option should be considered as a last resort.
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~ If you are having a hard time reaching or working with your loan servicer or if you are seeking assistance to help you through the foreclosure prevention process you can speak to a certified housing counselor. A counselor with a housing counseling agency can assess your situation answer your questions go over your options prioritize your debts and help you prepare for discussions with your loan servicer. Housing counseling services usually are free or low cost. Contact (888)995-HOPE (4673) or visit www.hopenow.com for a list of certified housing counselors in your area. You may also contact your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development office at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm or the housing authority in your area for help in finding a legitimate housing counseling agency nearby.