Foreclosure is the procedure through which the lender in a mortgage takes ownership and/or possession of the property that secured the original loan. This happens when a debtor in Mishawaka, Indiana has consistently failed to make their payments. Foreclosure usually involves a forced sale of the house at auction. Banks usually want to rid themselves of ownership of the home as soon as possible, collect as much money as they can, and then move on.
In every state, including Indiana, 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 some states, original mortgages are treated as "non-recourse" loans, meaning that, at most, the lender can take possession of the house in the event of foreclosure, even if it is worth less than the amount due. The bank cannot go after the borrower for the remaining balance once it sells the house. You should consult an Attorney in Mishawaka, Indiana to find out if this is the case here. This usually does not apply if the mortgage has been refinanced.
How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Indiana?
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. One should remember that banks generally don't want to take your house in Mishawaka. They issued your mortgage expecting to earn a profit on the interest. Taking possession of, and selling, your house is a last resort for them. Therefore, if you are honest with them about your financial situation, they are likely to make reasonable accommodations to keep you from defaulting.
If you can't work things out with your lender, there are other avenues. You can 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 receives those proceeds, but the remainder of the loan will be forgiven. You may 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 Mishawaka, Indiana Attorney Help?
If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Mishawaka, Indiana 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.