I knew we were in trouble but did not want to admit it. Bills were stacked to ceiling and I was running a no-frills household. Foreclosures had hit our neighborhood hard. Even with a second job I was way behind.
A medical emergency, divorce, or job loss might trigger the process. I received my Notice of Default the day I was holding my garage sale. Looking past the treadmill, books, and my lose weight fast program I was struck with reality. I sunk into a chair by my electric breast pump and stared at my strapless wedding gown.
With three energetic boys and no daughter to inherit my gown, I no longer needed either item. We bought this house with my parents help right after I was married and pregnant with my first. It no longer mattered how we got to here from there in eleven years. What mattered is that I had no idea how to avoid losing our home.
I put the box down and picked up the phone. That was the moment I took action to avoid losing my home. I left messages for the lender holding my mortgage. I did online research and even called a local Realtor I know. She provided me with a list of helpful websites and briefed me on loan modification programs.
I discovered a world of free counselors, several confusing government initiatives, and categories. There are different types of loans that offer a variety of help. Do you have an FHA loan, VA loan, or Rural Development loan? Do you know what Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have to do with your mortgage.
That means that you have a specific period of time to cure your default. This is the total amount of late payments and interest plus any foreclosure costs that you are behind on. That is the cure amount. In the last five days you must come up with the total amount. Check for the details in your state.
Check the rules in your state and research your redemption rights. The time lines are important and it is crucial that you know it works in the state where you live.
If you cannot come to terms with your lender your home will finally go to auction. It will likely not be purchased by a bidder who knows that after the bank takes it back they will get a steep price reduction. Whatever you do, do not sit in your attic collecting memories when you could be at your computer collecting the information that might forge a solution.
Tags: foreclosure, foreclosures, loan modification programs, mortgage, Notice of Default, Realtor
