Foreclosure is the legal procedure by which the lender in a mortgage arrangement takes possession of the property (normally a house) that secured the loan. This is done when the San Ramon, California debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure often requires the house to be sold at auction. Often, banks want to get rid of the property as soon as they can, in order to gather as much money as possible, and move forward.
In all states in the U.S., including California, foreclosure by judicial sale is allowed. Under this system, the sale is overseen by a court of law, to ensure that the bank makes a good effort to get a reasonable price at the auction, and that any proceeds above the balance of the mortgage go back to the borrower. In some states, original mortgages are treated as "non-recourse" loans, meaning that, at most, the lender can take possession of the house in the event of foreclosure, even if it is worth less than the amount due. The bank cannot go after the borrower for the remaining balance once it sells the house. You should consult an Attorney in San Ramon, California to find out if this is the case here. This normally does not apply if the mortgage has been refinanced.
How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in California?
Most importantly, you must not dismiss the problem. Doing so will not make it go away, and will probably make it worse. You should stay in close contact with your bank, and be straightforward with them. One should remember that banks typically don't want to take your house in San Ramon. They issued your mortgage expecting to earn a profit on the interest. Taking possession of, and selling, your house is a last resort for them. Therefore, if you are straightforward with them about your financial situation, they are likely to make reasonable accommodations to keep you from defaulting.
If you can't reach a solution with your lender, there are other options. You can, for example, try a "short sale," which allows you to sell your house for whatever amount you can get, and use the proceeds to pay your mortgage. If the house sells for less than you owe, the bank will receive the proceeds of the sale, and the rest of the debt will be forgiven. A "short refinance" may also be an option in some cases. This allows you to have some part of the debt forgiven, while refinancing the rest.
How Can A San Ramon, California Attorney Help?
If you are facing foreclosure, a good San Ramon, California real estate Lawyer can help. While keeping your home might not always be possible, an Attorney can increase your odds of success, and help you minimize the negative impact if you do end up losing your home.