Facing Foreclosure: Where You Can Turn

Are you facing foreclosure?  If you have received an intent to foreclose notice from your bank, you may be feeling a wide array of emotions.  These emotions may include fear, anger, and sadness.  Regardless of how you feel about the situation, now is the time to take action.  Depending on how soon you act, as well as what steps you take, you may be able to avoid foreclosure.

When facing foreclosure, one of the first places you should turn to is that of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD.  There you will find experts who can help to point you in the right direction.  One direction that you may be pointed to is that of a HUD approved housing counselor.  A HUD approved housing counselor can give you tips on how to avoid foreclosure.  However, if you have reached the point where foreclosure cannot be stopped, assistance on picking up the pieces and finding a new home will be provided.

Another professional that homeowners facing foreclosure should turn is to that of an attorney.  Should you decide to contact an attorney for legal advice, it is vital that you select one who has experience dealing with real estate and foreclosure cases.  As for how a lawyer can help you, they may be able to stop the foreclosure process.  There are a number of ways this can be accomplished.  An attorney can and should be contacted in the event you find yourself a victim of a foreclosure scam or if you feel you are being discriminated against by your mortgage lender.

Although it is best that you seek professional assistance, such as the assistance of an attorney or a HUD approved housing counselor, you may want to turn to those around you.  As embarrassing as it may be to admit that you may lose your home, now is the time to receive support and encouragement from close friends and family members.  In fact, they may be able to help you avoid foreclosure.  Can you borrow money from someone that you know?  If so, just make sure that you pay it back and in a timely matter.

Returning back to seeking professional foreclosure advice and assistance, real estate agents can also be approached.  However, it is best if they are contacted as soon as you notice a problem.  If you suspect you may fall victim to foreclosure, contact a real estate agent immediately.  Before your home enters into the official foreclosure stage, it is known as being in pre-foreclosure.  You can still try to sell your home.  You can list your home as for sale by owner, but the knowledge and expertise of a professional real estate agent can help you sell your home faster.

Out of all of the places that you should turn to seek assistance with avoiding foreclosure, the bank is the most important.  Financial lenders want to avoid foreclosure.  Why?  Because they almost always lose money on the sale of foreclosed properties.  For that reason, schedule a meeting, in person, with your lender.  Make sure you meet with someone who is high ranking in the branch, such as the bank president or the chief loan officer.  If you can prove that your financial hardships are only temporary, do so.  This may help to convince your mortgage lender to give you more time.

The internet can also be used to seek foreclose help and assistance.  When using the internet, it is important to proceed with caution.  You, honestly, never know if what you find online is true.  With that said, many states clearly outline their foreclosure laws and homeowner options on their websites.  You may also find detailed information online from homeowners who have been in the same place as you, facing foreclosure.  Other homeowners may share the ways that they were able to successfully stop foreclosure.  In addition to carefully reviewing all information provided to you, do not pay anything. Foreclosure advice can easily be found online free of charge.