FORECLOSURE ALTERNATIVES

There is one option available to all homeowners who have received a complaint in foreclosure. Yet this option is often ignored and rarely appears in a typical list of homeowner alternatives because these lists are generally generated by the Bank or Government. A typical list contains these options- 1. REINSTATEMENT 2. PAYOFF 3. FORBEARANCE 4. REPAYMENT PLAN 5. HOME SAVER ADVANCE 6. MODIFICATION 7. SHORT SALE 8. DEED IN LIEU 9. WALK DEFEND! Every homeowner is offered the privilege of defending their home in our judicial system, and each homeowner should consider doing so. The first reason a homeowner should DEFEND! is simple- it is economically wise. An example may be helpful- A homeowner cannot pay his monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 but he can open a separate, safe, and secure IOLTA account with his attorney. He may be able to faithfully pay monthly what he can- perhaps as much as $1000 per month. In the months that follow, he may be able to save about $5,000 to $20,000 a sum certain to change his circumstances, his spending habits, and the options available to save his home or to find a new one. I recommend each home owner consider opposing his Bank's attempt to foreclose by using an attorney to file an answer and where appropriate a counterclaim.