Don't wait for the foreclosure notice
The best time to act is the month you know you'll miss a payment. Call your lender's loss mitigation department and ask what programs they have. Be careful what you say: anything you tell them can be used in the foreclosure, so stick to the facts and ask for options in writing.
Gather your paystubs, proof of income, last year of bills, and two to three years of tax returns. Every program will ask for them.
Loan modification
A modification changes the terms of your loan, usually by extending the term or moving missed payments to the end. It can work if your income has recovered. It rarely works if the house needs major repairs or you can't afford the new payment either.
Debt management and consolidation
Nonprofit credit counselors can sometimes negotiate with your other creditors to free up cash for the mortgage. Check any company with the Alabama Attorney General's office first. This space is full of scams that charge fees and deliver nothing.
Sell the house before the sale date
A cash sale is the surest way to stop a foreclosure because it pays the lender in full. We can close in as little as 7 days, and our closing attorney coordinates directly with your lender to get the payoff and stop the sale.
You keep whatever equity is left after the loan, arrears, and fees are paid. A foreclosure wipes that equity out and stays on your credit for seven years. A sale does neither.
Because we're licensed Alabama agents, we can also tell you honestly if listing the house would net you more, and whether there's time to do it.
What we need from you
- The property address and roughly what you owe
- Any notice you've received from the lender or the newspaper
- The date of the scheduled sale, if one has been set
Common questions
Can you stop a foreclosure the week of the sale?
Sometimes. If the title is clean and the lender will provide a payoff quickly, we've closed in under a week. Call us the day you get the notice, not the week of the sale.
What if I owe more than the house is worth?
We can help you request a short sale from your lender. Many lenders prefer it to foreclosing. As licensed agents, we can handle that negotiation.
Do I get any money back after the sale?
Yes, if the sale price is more than what you owe plus arrears and closing costs. We'll show you the net before you sign anything.