Homeowner Rights Facing Foreclosure
There's a reason lenders are called predators: they can and will go after your money, even when they know you don't have it. But even in the foreclosure process, you still have your rights-and you can't let your bank ignore them. Each state has its own laws, and a homeowner always has his rights during a foreclosure.
The first place you can look is your own mortgage contract. Most people just scan the papers and sign them. Brokers want to close the deal right away, so they don't take time to explain it to you either. But if you're facing foreclosure, now's the best time to dig out your contract and read it through.
Here are some of your basic rights:
To fix payment problems: All mortgages give you the right to resolve defaults before the foreclosure starts, and even while the process is under way.
To get informed: All borrowers must be kept up to date on the foreclosure process as it happens, even if you don't take part in them. They can carry on without you, but you are officially one of the parties concerned.
To a Loan Modification: All borrowers are given the right to modify the existing terms of the loan. However, not all homeowners know how to get the best results. Leave it up to our legal staff to negotiate agressively on your behalf to get you the results you need to stay in your home.
Lenders and their lawyers are well aware of these rights, but their goal is to get what they can out of you, even if it means violating them.