Foreclosure is the legal procedure by which the lender in a mortgage arrangement takes possession of the property (usually a house) that secured the loan. This is done when the Fountain Hills, Arizona debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure usually requires the house to be sold at an auction. Usually, banks want to rid themselves of the property as soon as they can, in order to gather as much money as possible.
In every state, including Arizona, borrowers have the option to go through foreclosure by judicial sale. This means that the auction will be supervised by a court, to make sure that the bank makes an effort to get as high a price as possible (to increase the chances that the whole balance will be covered, as well as the odds that there will be some money leftover for the debtor). 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 Fountain Hills, Arizona 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 Arizona?
First of all, you shouldn't dismiss the problem. You should stay in contact with your bank, and be honest with them. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. It is important to remember that the bank does not really want your Fountain Hills 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 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. 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 Fountain Hills, Arizona Attorney Help?
If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Fountain Hills, Arizona 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.