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 Northbridge, Massachusetts has repeatedly failed to make their payments. Foreclosure typically results in the property being sold in an auction. Banks typically 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 Massachusetts, there is an option to go through foreclosure by a judicial sale, which is a procedure in which a court supervises the sale of the property, and makes sure that the proceeds first go the to the holder of the mortgage, then to anyone else who may have a lien on the property, and finally to the debtor if anything is left. 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 Northbridge, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?

Most importantly, you must not ignore the problem. Doing so will not make it go away, and will probably make it worse. You should stay in close contact with your bank, and be forthright with them. It is important to remember that banks don't really want to own homes in Northbridge. In issuing a mortgage, they expect to make a profit through interest on the loan, and they'd prefer to continue collecting from you. Therefore, they're likely to make reasonable accommodations to your financial situation if it will enable you to keep paying them in the long run.

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. A "short refinance" might also be an option in some cases. This allows you to have some portion of the debt forgiven, while refinancing the rest.

How Can A Northbridge, Massachusetts Attorney Help?

If you are worried about foreclosure, a good Northbridge, Massachusetts real estate Lawyer might be able to help. A Lawyer can increase your chances of keeping your home, and help minimize the financial impact if keeping it proves impossible.