Mortgage & Refinancing Information

Foreclosure Scams To Be Aware Of


Homeowners facing foreclosure should be aware of unscrupulous lenders and scammers. Don't get me wrong, most lenders and agencies are reputable and legit. However some lenders, commonly second mortgage issuers will use unethical practices that increase the risk of nonpayment by the borrower. These tactics may include lending a large amount in hopes that the borrower will not be able to keep up with the payments, charging outrageous interest, points or fees. They may also repeatedly refinance the loan without any real beneficial reason to the borrower. Homeowners facing foreclosure are often targets of these scammers because they are seeking any solution possible at the time.

One of the most common tricks is an "equity skim". What is equity skimming? This is when a buyer approaches you and offers to get you out of foreclosure buy paying off the mortgage or offering money when the property is sold. They will often suggest you move out quickly and sign the deed over to them. They will then collect rent from the property and fail to make payments on the mortgage. The lender will continue the foreclosure process and foreclose. Signing over the deed does not mean you are no longer obligated to make mortgage payments.

Another trick scammer's use is to set up a "counseling" agency. They may contact you offering to do certain services for a given fee. Often times these are thing you can do yourself for free. It is important to note that most services are legitimate and will provide lots of great help.

So what do you do if you suspect you are being duped? The most important things is don't sign any documents unless you fully understand what you are signing. If the party you are dealing with makes any sort of promises make sure they are in writing. If you arrange a contract of sale loan assumption make sure you know weather or not you are released from liability of the debt. Consult with your attorney before agreeing to any deal that involved your home. Should you decide to sell your home to stop foreclosure, have a look at any possible complaints pertaing to the prospective buyer.

Mark Lambie is the owner of Stop Home Foreclosure a website for helping people facing foreclosure.


MORE RESOURCES:

Inside Wall Street: That Ticking Sound You Hear Out in the ...
Money Morning - Jul 18, 2008
By Shah Gilani The fundamentals of economic strife based on the disastrous collapse of the US housing market will not get better any time soon. ...


ARM resets to hit peak this summer
Chicago Tribune, United States - Jul 13, 2008
By Renae Merle | The Washington Post The number of homeowners facing an increase in their subprime adjustable-rate mortgage payments will peak this summer, ...


ABC News

Money Managing Matters: Three Dos, Don'ts
ABC News - Jul 17, 2008
If you have an adjustable rate mortgage, refinance into a fixed rate one. Interest rates on adjustable rate mortgages are only going to go up, ...


Market rescue, round two
Livemint, India - Jul 14, 2008
The stocks of the two mortgage refinance institutions fell to levels last seen 15 years ago on concerns about their bearing the brunt of the exposure to ...


Mortgage Rates Fall
HULIQ (press release), NC - Jul 16, 2008
Mortgage refinance applications also picked up over the week as homeowners take advantage of falling mortgage rates. The 30 year fixed mortgage rate ...


Refinancing Online Provides Opportunities for Homeowners
WCIV, SC - Jun 23, 2008
(ARA) - Homeowners refinance for a variety of reasons including to take cash out of their home equity to make home improvements, to consolidate debt, ...


Mortgage rescues turn out to be scams
Allentown Morning Call, PA - Jun 22, 2008
| For people about to lose their homes to foreclosure, the advertisements are like a lifeline: ''WE BUY HOUSES FOR CA$H,'' or ''Refinance Your Mortgage! ...
Homeowners can seek help when faced with foreclosure Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
all 2 news articles


National Settlement Agency President Pleads Guilty to Embezzling
National Mortgage News, DC - Jul 16, 2008
By James Comtois After stealing more than $13 million in mortgage refinance proceeds, the former president of National Settlement Agency pleaded guilty ...


US housing agency expands mortgage aid program
Reuters - Jul 8, 2008
WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - The Federal Housing Administration will loosen its mortgage refinance program to help more delinquent borrowers and those ...


Foreclosure-rescue legislation benefits both borrowers, lenders
Arizona Republic, AZ - Jul 12, 2008
by Julie Hirschfeld Davis - Jul. 13, 2008 12:00 AM AP The foreclosure-rescue legislation moving through Congress would let financially strapped homeowners ...

Mortgage-Refinance - Google News

Good Credit Loans | home | site map | School Bus Clothing | Florida Pool Heating
© 2006