Five Emergency Options to Prevent Mortgage Foreclosure

Plans and dreams have been shattered in the midst of a recession that has so far brought about nationwide job layoffs and massive unemployment. The jobless and the recently unemployed both form endless lines in job fairs and the unemployment office in an effort to keep the proverbial wolf from the door.

The worsening recession and the ensuing layoffs have plunged a lot of household into financial chaos. Many have to cut down on food and basic necessities, skip on life-giving medication, face car repossession, or quit school just because the paycheck has stopped coming in.

One of the major fears facing the unemployed today is the fear of losing their homes due to mortgage foreclosure. The process of foreclosure begins the moment you repeatedly fail to meet the monthly mortgage payments or if you default on your payments.

It is, however, possible to prevent mortgage foreclosure if you know the proper steps to take. Below are some helpful guidelines that you can use but they can only be effective if you have a lender who is willing to help you out.

1. Loan reconstruction

Ask your lender if they are willing to reconstruct your loan payments basing on your current capacity to pay. This can be termed as special forbearance and you can avail of it if there has been a change in your financial condition. To take advantage of this step, you need to furnish your mortgage holder undeniable proof that you can meet the payment schemes of your new plan.

2. Mortgage Loan Modification program

Another step you can take is to take advantage of the government’s new Mortgage Loan Modification program. This would mean refinancing the actual amount you owe and extending the period of mortgage payments. The purpose of the program is to cut down your payments in order to make them easier for you to pay.

3. Partial claim loan

You can approach the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to check if you can qualify for their interest-free loan to update your mortgage. This loan is known as a partial claim and your lending company can provide you with information about this loan type and even help you out in the application process. You may get more information from your local HUD officials.

4. Pre-foreclosure sale

If, even after they have been lowered, you are aware that you won’t be able to meet your mortgage payments, the best way to stave off mortgage foreclosure is to put your property on a pre-foreclosure sale. The intention is to sell your house and pay all your existing debts to prevent foreclosure that will surely trash your credit score. Ask your lender to grant you ample time to sell your home before considering foreclosing.

5. Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure

When everything else fails, the last step that must only be used as your final option is a deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure. This deed states that you are turning over your house to the custody of your mortgage establishment rather than pay off the loan.

Losing your home in this manner may still be a smarter choice than losing it to mortgage foreclosure. This will give you a better chance of getting mortgage loans in the future than if you lost your home to foreclosure.