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 Inver Grove Heights, 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 an Inver Grove Heights, 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 Inver Grove Heights. 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 work anything out with your lender, or have become completely unable to make any mortgage payments, a "short sale" might be a good option. This allows you to sell your house for whatever price it can get, and hand the proceeds over to the lender. If the sale price is less than the balance of the loan, the rest of the debt might be forgiven. There is also the option of a "short refinance," which forgives a significant portion of your mortgage debt, and refinances the rest.
How Can A Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota Attorney Help?
If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Inver Grove Heights, 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.