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 Belleview, Florida debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure normally results in the property being sold in an auction. Banks normally want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means taking a financial hit, and an auction is the simplest way to do this.

In all states in the U.S., including Florida, there is an option to go through foreclosure via judicial sale, in which a court supervises the sale, and makes sure that the proceeds first go to the lender, and then to any other entities that may have a lien or other interest in the property (in order of priority), and, finally, to the borrower, if anything is left. 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 Belleview, Florida 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 Florida?

First of all, you shouldn't dismiss the problem. You should stay in contact with your bank, and be straightforward with them. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. It is essential to remember that the bank does not really want your Belleview 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 no deal can be worked out, or the mortgage payments have become prohibitive, you may consider a "short sale". While the lender has to consent to it, many will take a moderate loss if it means avoiding foreclosure (which lenders typically treat as a last resort). This allows you to sell the house for whatever price it can fetch on the current market, and hand the proceeds over to the bank. If the sale nets less than the balance, some or all of the deficiency may 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 Belleview, Florida Attorney Help?

If you are faced with the possibility of foreclosure in Belleview, Florida, an lawyer may be able to help. At the very least, he or she can advise you of your legal options.