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 Hugo, Minnesota has repeatedly failed to make their payments. When a house is foreclosed, it is usually sold at auction shortly thereafter. This is because banks usually want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means losing some money, and an auction is an easy way to do this.

In all states in the United States, including Minnesota, foreclosure by judicial sale is an option. This allows the sale to be conducted under the supervision of a court, to ensure that the bank makes a good faith effort to get a fair price, and that the proceeds above and beyond the balance of the mortgage (if there are any) go back to the debtor. In some states, original mortgages are "non-recourse loans," meaning that the lender can only recover ownership of the house in the event of default. If the house is now worth less than the balance of the mortgage, the lender has to take the loss. You should speak with a Hugo, Minnesota Lawyer to see if this state is one of them. However, it is almost always the case that this protection does not apply to loans which have been refinanced.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in Minnesota?

First, and most importantly, you should not ignore the issue. Failing to respond to foreclosure calls from your lender will not make a problem go away. You should stay in touch, and be honest with, your creditor as much as possible. One should remember that banks generally don't want to take your house in Hugo. 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 prevent you from defaulting.

If you can't reach a solution with your lender, there are other options. You could, for example, try a "short sale," which allows you to sell your house for whatever amount you can get, and use the proceeds to pay your mortgage. If the house sells for less than you owe, the bank will get the proceeds of the sale, and the rest of the debt 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 Hugo, Minnesota Attorney Help?

If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Hugo, Minnesota 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.