Foreclosure is the legal process 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 Cobb County, Georgia debtor has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure usually results in the property being sold in an auction. Banks usually want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means taking a financial hit, and an auction is the easiest way to do this.

In every state, including Georgia, 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 many states, original mortgages are considered non-recourse loans, meaning that if the house is foreclosed and sold for less than the debtor owes, the bank cannot go after the debtor for the remainder. You should consult with an Attorney in Cobb County, Georgia to see if this is the case. However, this usually doesn't apply if the mortgage has been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Georgia?

First, you should never ignore the matter. As unpleasant as it seems, it is essential to stay on top of the issue. Ignoring the problem will never make it go away. You should keep in mind that banks usually don't want to take your Cobb County home. They aren't in the real estate business, and expect to make money through interest on the loan, not by selling your house. If you are up-front with them early on, they will probably make a reasonable effort to accommodate your financial system if it will keep you from defaulting.

If no deal can be worked out, or the mortgage payments have become prohibitive, you might 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 generally 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 might be forgiven. You might also consider a "short refinance" which allows a portion of the debt to be forgiven, while refinancing the rest, hopefully under better terms.

How Can A Cobb County, Georgia Attorney Help?

If you are facing foreclosure, a good Cobb County, Georgia real estate Attorney can help. While keeping your home might not always be possible, a Lawyer can increase your odds of success, and help you minimize the negative impact if you do end up losing your home.