Advice for Anyone Facing Foreclosure

Jacob Benaroya, president and managing partner of Biltmore Capital Group, which purchases distressed loans from a wide array of lending companies, offers these seven tips for home owners facing foreclosure.


[Photo Courtesy of The Grand News | flickr]

• Don’t hide. Open the mail; answer the phone. Respond.
• Be proactive. Contact the bank or lending institution and discuss your financial situation.
• Know your mortgage rights. Review loan documents so you know what your lender may do if you can't make payments.
• Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. Don’t pay money for foreclosure advice.
• Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. They’ll help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if assistance is required.
• Prioritize spending. After health care, keeping your home should be your first priority. Review your finances and see what spending can be cut in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses - cable TV, memberships, entertainment - that can be eliminated. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.
• Use other assets. Do you have assets such as a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that can be sold to help reinstate the loan? Can anyone in the household bring in additional income?

When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes necessary to take actions which, in normal circumstances, would appear extreme.

Facing foreclosure would qualify as a difficult situation, and you know how the saying goes: "tough times call for drastic measures" -- these are certainly a few ways to do so.