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 Highland Park, Michigan has consistently failed to make their payments. When a house is foreclosed, it is normally sold at auction shortly thereafter. This is because banks normally want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means losing some money, and an auction is an simple way to do this.

In every state, including Michigan, there is an option to go through foreclosure by a judicial sale, which is a process 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 lastly to the debtor if anything is left. 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 Highland Park, Michigan to find out if this is the case here. This normally does not apply if the mortgage has been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Michigan?

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 important to remember that the bank does not really want your Highland Park 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 consider a "short refinance" which allows a part of the debt to be forgiven, and lets you refinance the rest.

How Can A Highland Park, Michigan Attorney Help?

If you are facing the possibility of foreclosure, a good Highland Park, Michigan real estate Lawyer can help. At the very least, they will be able to inform you of your legal options.