Foreclosure is a legal procedure in which a mortgage lender recoups some of its losses in the event of default by acquiring possession and/or ownership of the home that secured the loan in the first place in Reading, Pennsylvania Foreclosure typically requires the house to be sold at an auction. Typically, banks want to rid themselves of the property as soon as they can, in order to gather as much money as possible.
In all states in the United States, including Pennsylvania, foreclosure by judicial sale is an option. This allows the sale to be done 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 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 Reading, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
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. It is critical to remember that the bank does not really want your Reading 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 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 Reading, Pennsylvania Attorney Help?
If you are faced with the possibility of foreclosure in Reading, Pennsylvania, an Lawyer may be able to help. At the very least, he or she can advise you of your legal options.