What is Foreclosure in Decatur, Illinois?

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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 Decatur, Illinois debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. When a house is foreclosed, it is normally sold at auction shortly thereafter. This is because banks normally want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means losing some money, and an auction is an simple way to do this.

In all states in the U.S., including Illinois, 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 numerous states, original mortgages (as opposed to refinanced loans) are "non-recourse" loans, meaning that the most the lender can collect is whatever the foreclosed property sells for. The bank cannot go after the debtor for the balance, if the sale nets less than the amount due. You should consult an Attorney in Decatur, Illinois to learn the details of the law here. You should also know that this rarely applies to loans that have been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Illinois?

First and foremost, you should not dismiss the possibility of foreclosure. Failing to respond to collection calls from your lender will not make the problem go away. As unpleasant as this may seem, you should stay in contact with your creditor, and be straightforward with them. It is important to remember that the bank does not really want your Decatur house - they expected to make a profit through the interest on your loan, and that's what they'd prefer to do. Accordingly, they will probably make reasonable accommodations to your financial situation if it means that you will be able to make some form of payment to them.

If you believe that foreclosure is imminent, there are some other avenues. For example, you may be able to engage in a "short sale," which sometimes allows you to sell your house for whatever amount you can receive, give the proceeds to the lender, and walk away free of your mortgage debt, even if the sale netted less than the balance of the mortgage. You may also try a "short refinance" which allows a piece of the debt to be forgiven, and the rest refinanced. This allows the bank to wash its hands of the matter, while taking a comparatively small loss, and allows the homeowner to keep their home.

How Can A Decatur, Illinois Attorney Help?

If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Decatur, Illinois Lawyer may be your best hope for staving it off. Even if keeping the house proves impossible, a good Attorney can minimize the financial effects.

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Life in Decatur

Decatur is the sixth most populated city in Illinois. A nickname for Decatur is the "Soybean Capital of the World."

Some popular sites in Decatur include Lake Decatur, Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial, Rock Springs, Fort Daniel Conservation Area, and Spitler Woods State Natural Area.

Decatur has been featured in some great movies. These movies include The Informant!, Leatherheads, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Shaft, Bachelor Party, and So I Married and Axe Murderer.

Decatur has also been featured in TV shows such as The Fugitive, the Travel Channel's Most Terrifying Places in America, and The Colbert Report.

Along with the above, Decatur has a strong legal force capable of handling any and every legal inquiry!