Foreclosure is the legal process by which the lender in a mortgage arrangement takes possession of the property (typically a house) that secured the loan. This is done when the East Hartford, Connecticut 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 make as much money as possible, and move on.

In every state, including Connecticut, borrowers have the option to go through foreclosure by judicial sale. This means that the auction will be overseen 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 entire balance will be covered, as well as the odds that there will be some money leftover for the borrower). In some states, original mortgages are "non-recourse loans," meaning that the lender can only recover ownership of the house in the event of default. If the house is now worth less than the balance of the mortgage, the lender has to take the loss. You should speak with an East Hartford, Connecticut Lawyer to see if this state is one of them. However, it is almost always the case that this protection does not apply to loans which have been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Connecticut?

First and foremost, you should not ignore the possibility of foreclosure. Failing to respond to collection calls from your lender will not make the problem go away. As unpleasant as this might seem, you should stay in contact with your creditor, and be forthright with them. You should remember that banks in East Hartford don't want your house. While the foreclosure process can be devastating for the homeowner, it's no walk in the park for the bank, either. They expected to make a profit through interest on the loan paid over time, and foreclosure is a last resort, allowing them to cut their losses and move on. If you are forthright with them, lenders will typically try to accommodate your changed financial situation, to avoid a default on your part, and the necessity of foreclosing on their part.

If you can't work things out with your lender, there are other options. You could try a "short sale," which is when you sell your house for whatever amount you can get for it, and use the proceeds to pay your mortgage. If the house sells for less than you owe, the bank still gets those proceeds, but the remainder of the loan will be forgiven. You might also consider a "short refinance" which allows a chunk of the debt to be forgiven, and lets you refinance the rest.

How Can A East Hartford, Connecticut Attorney Help?

If you are facing the possibility of foreclosure, a good East Hartford, Connecticut real estate Attorney can help. At the very least, they will be able to inform you of your legal options.