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 Potsdam, New York. When a house is foreclosed, it is typically sold at auction shortly thereafter. This is because banks typically 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 New York, 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 "non-recourse loans," meaning that the lender may 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 Potsdam, New York Attorney to see if this state is one of them. However, it is almost always the case that this protection does not apply to loans that have been refinanced.
How Can I Avoid Foreclosure in New York?
First and foremost, you should not dismiss the possibility of foreclosure. Failing to respond to collection calls from your lender will not make the problem go away. As unpleasant as this may seem, you should stay in contact with your creditor, and be forthright with them. One should remember that banks usually don't want to take your house in Potsdam. 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 forthright with them about your financial situation, they are likely to make reasonable accommodations to keep you from defaulting.
If you can't work anything out with your lender, or have become totally 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 may be forgiven. A "short refinance" may also be an option in some cases. This allows you to have some part of the debt forgiven, while refinancing the rest.
How Can A Potsdam, New York Attorney Help?
If you are facing foreclosure, a good Potsdam, New York real estate Lawyer can help. While keeping your home might not always be possible, an Attorney can increase your odds of success, and help you minimize the negative impact if you do end up losing your home.