Foreclosure rescue

Foreclosure rescue in the United States is where a mortgage that is in arrears and where the lender is at the stage of foreclosing on the loan agrees to stop the foreclosure in exchange for funds received through loan modification or from a government grant. It may also refer to funds that allow the homeowner to repurchase the property at or after foreclosure.

This article is about legitimate foreclosure rescue. For the scam, see foreclosure rescue scheme.

Legitimate foreclosure rescue can give the homeowner a realistic opportunity to regain their ability to get out of the situation and make regular timely payments again. However the fact that homeowners are often desperate at this stage has meant that foreclosure rescue has been the target for a scam known as the foreclosure rescue scheme. Homeowners have been advised to confirm any scheme is legitimate before they engage in foreclosure rescue.

Foreclosure rescue came to prominence in 2007 as a result of the US subprime mortgage crisis which cause large numbers of mortgages to go into default. In response the US government unveiled a plan to provide foreclosure rescue to homeowners in 2009.

History

In 2009, President Barack Obama unveiled a plan to provide foreclosure rescue to homeowners. This included the ability to modify loans, lower interest rates, and help homeowners before they defaulted.[1]

Checklist for legitimate foreclosure rescue

Key signs of legitimate foreclosure rescue include:[2]

  • No costs or fees until all services are rendered
    • Home is saved *and* principal is reduced or modified
  • No guarantee of saving home
  • Recommends continuing communication with lender
  • No false affiliation claims
  • Clear, written contracts
  • Doesn't offer to accept your mortgage payment for your lender[3]

See also

References
  1. Sweet, Lynn (February 18, 2009). "Obama mortgage foreclosure rescue plan will allow some struggling homeowners refinance options". Chicago Sun-Times. Washington. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  2. "How to Spot SCAMS: 6 Things You Should Know". Loan Modification Scam Alert. NeighborWorks America®. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 28 Jan 2013.
  3. "Foreclosure Rescue Scams". 3 February 2012.
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