Foreclosure is a judicial procedure allowing mortgage lenders to take ownership and/or possession of the debtor's real estate (which was used to secure the loan) in the event of nonpayment in Bethpage, New York. Foreclosure usually results in the property being sold in an auction. Banks usually want to get rid of the property as soon as possible, even if it means taking a financial hit, and an auction is the simplest way to do this.

In all states in the U.S., including New York, there is an option to go through foreclosure via judicial sale, in which a court supervises the sale, and makes sure that the proceeds first go to the lender, and then to any other entities that may have a lien or other interest in the property (in order of priority), and, finally, to the borrower, if anything is left. In various states, mortgages which have not been refinanced are "non-recourse loans." This means that, in the event of default, the bank can take ownership of the house and sell it; but if the sale price happens to be less than the balance of the mortgage, the lender cannot go after the debtor for the remainder. Because of this, some people have found that their best option is to simply walk away from the home if the mortgage is more than the house is worth. You should talk with a Bethpage, New York Lawyer to see if this state is one of them.

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in New York?

First, you should never dismiss the matter. As unpleasant as it seems, it is necessary to stay on top of the issue. Ignoring the problem will never make it go away. You should keep in mind that banks usually don't want to take your Bethpage home. They aren't in the real estate business, and expect to make money through interest on the loan, not by selling your house. If you are up-front with them early on, they will probably make a reasonable effort to accommodate your financial system if it will prevent you from defaulting.

If you can't work things out with your lender, there are other avenues. You can 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 receives those proceeds, but the remainder of the loan will be forgiven. You may also consider a "short refinance" which allows a portion of the debt to be forgiven, while refinancing the rest, hopefully under better terms.

How Can A Bethpage, New York Attorney Help?

If you think foreclosure is imminent, a good Bethpage, New York Lawyer may be your best hope for staving it off. Even if keeping the house proves impossible, a good Attorney can minimize the financial effects.