Home, first-time buyers, mortgages

Foreclosure Procedure

There are many reasons that lead a homeowner to loan default and foreclosure. A drop in income, an increase in housing costs or bills, or just biting off more than the borrower can chew can all lead to foreclosure.
At the loan closing, probably the two most important documents signed by the borrowers are the promissory note and the mortgage deed.
The promissory note is the borrower’s promise to repay the mortgage loan. The mortgage deed or security agreement puts up the subject property as collateral for the loan. To “mortgage” a property is to offer it as security for the loan. The key here is that the title is in the borrower’s name.
Unlike a car loan, where the finance company holds the car’s title until the loan is paid off, with a mortgage loan, the subject property remains in the homeowner’s name. At the county records office, the property’s title will indicate the borrower as the owner of the property. The lender is listed as having a mortgage lien on the property.
The promissory note normally has a default clause that allows the lender to declare the borrower in default if payments are not made as agreed. If the borrower defaults on the promissory note, that defaults activates the mortgage or security agreement. It is the mortgage or security agreement that gives the lender the right to foreclose on the property. The lender cannot exercise this foreclosure right unless the borrower defaults on the promissory note. Even after a borrower defaults, the property remains in the homeowner’s name. The path leading to foreclosure normally proceeds as follows:
1. Delinquency. The borrower falls behind on mortgage loan payments.
2. Default notice. As required by the mortgage deed, the lender issues a notice of default to the borrower. This usually happens after the borrower has fallen at least 60 days behind on payments. The default notice allows the borrower to recover their mortgage loan by paying all past due amounts.
3. Default judgment. If the lender’s collection attempts prove futile, the lender will then legally file for a default judgment from the court. This legal judgment gives the lender the right to demand full repayment of the entire loan balance—not just the past due amount. However, most lenders will still allow the borrower to reinstate the loan if all past due amounts and penalties are paid.
4. Foreclosure notice. If the lender’s collection attempts still prove futile, the lender can then file for a foreclosure judgment from the court. Borrowers often will still have the option to reinstate their loan—but at a greater cost.
5. Foreclosure judgment. After a foreclosure period of at least 60-90 days, the court will issue a foreclosure notice if the borrower has not repaid all past due amounts, late fees and penalties. Up to this point, the property is still owned by the borrower; now it is owned by the court.
6. Auction or foreclosure sale. The judge will order a sheriff’s sale or foreclosure auction. The proceeds of this sale is meant to reimburse the lender for its loan balance and losses. If the auction amount is insufficient to meet the lender requirements, the lender will usually step in and take the property. If the there is any surplus from the foreclosure, the borrower may have the option of claiming it.
When foreclosure proceedings begin, it is normally after the borrower has received several notices of past due payments and default. The lender then petitions the court to begin foreclosure procedures. The borrower will normally receive a redemption period during which they have the opportunity to regain their loan.
When the necessary processing period has passed, the lender obtains a final foreclosure judgment and property is normally scheduled for a foreclosure or sheriff’s sale. If the lender does not receive adequate bids at an auction, it often will retain the property until it can sell the property for a sufficient price.