Foreclosure is the process 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 Terre Haute, Indiana has repeatedly 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 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 (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 borrower for the balance, if the sale nets less than the amount due. You should consult a Lawyer in Terre Haute, Indiana to learn the details of the law here. You should also know that this rarely applies to loans which have been refinanced.
How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Indiana?
First of all, you shouldn't ignore the problem. You should stay in contact with your bank, and be honest with them. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. You should remember that banks in Terre Haute 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 honest with them, lenders will usually 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 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 relatively small loss, and allows the homeowner to keep their home.
How Can A Terre Haute, Indiana Attorney Help?
If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Terre Haute, Indiana Attorney might be your best hope for staving it off. Even if keeping the house proves impossible, a good Lawyer can minimize the financial effects.