Foreclosure Prevention Tips

Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers the following tips for avoiding foreclosure:

• Don't ignore the problem. The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.


• Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem. Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.


• Open and respond to all mail from your lender. The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.


• Know your mortgage rights. Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can't make your payments. Learn about your state's foreclosure laws and timeframes - as well as available resources - on HUD's Avoiding Foreclosure: Florida page.


• Understand foreclosure prevention options. Valuable information about foreclosure prevention (also called loss mitigation) options can be found on the Federal Housing Administration Web site.


• Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. HUD funds free or low-cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance. Find a HUD-approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287 or TTY (800) 877-8339.


• Prioritize your spending. After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses - cable TV, memberships, entertainment, etc. - that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.


• Use your assets. Do you have assets - such as a second car, jewelry or a whole life insurance policy - that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don't significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.


• Avoid foreclosure prevention companies. You don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help: use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month's mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them.


• Don't lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams. If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home. Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Foreclosure Prevention Links

The following Web sites provide valuable information regarding homeownership preservation: From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure 
• National Servicing Center 
• Relief Options for FHA Homeowners 
• Legal Aid Service of Broward County 

Additional resources

• Florida Bar Association - Legal Assistance
• Definitions of Florida Foreclosure Law Terms

 

Fair Housing Information

The City of Sunrise prides itself on its culture of inclusivity. As such, the City takes an active role in ensuring and enforcing fair housing practices throughout the City. It is vital that all residents have the right to rent or buy housing, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. If you feel you are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to call the discrimination complaint hotline toll-free at (800) 440-8091. If using a Telecommunication Device for the Hearing Impaired, please call (404) 730-2656. For more information related to fair housing, please call the Grants Division at (954) 572-2315 or Fax: (954) 578-4768.