Sunday, August 2, 2015

Deciding between a Short Sale or Foreclosure on my Home

Question: I am trying to decide between a short sale or foreclosure on my home. On average how long will my house stay vacant during the foreclosure process? I am leaning toward a quick short sale only because I don’t want to board up my house.

Response: Regardless of the duration of foreclosure, you should always try to do a short sale rather than allow the property to get auctioned off, which negatively affects your credit and keeps you on the hook for the deficiency. Foreclosure in New York, especially if contested, can take several years. Short sale can also be a lengthy process but besides potentially going away with monetary incentives, short sales in general are much better than the actual foreclosure sale.

As a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun has the expertise to assist interested homeowners in all steps of the short sale process including: bank negotiation and short sale approval, property listing and sale.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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How to Reinstate a Delinquent Mortgage on a Foreclosed Property?

Question: I got a foreclosure notice with a specific reinstatement amount. The bank sent me an invoice and I paid that along with my enclosed letter stating that at this point I paid a full payment that the bank requested. I called the bank to verify that they received the funds and they said they did and would credit my account. They then called me back and said I'm still in foreclosure and I owe more money. What are my options?

Response: Once your case is referred to foreclosure, in order to reinstate the loan, you must get an official reinstatement letter from the bank’s attorneys that would also reflect attorney’s fees and costs. If you only paid the amount on the bill, that amount may not be sufficient to fully reinstate the loan as there may be some additional fees and costs that were not fully reflected on the statement. Request an official reinstatement letter. See how much you owe. If it’s a small amount, then you can probably pay it and get out of foreclosure. If the bank is still requesting a similar or higher amount to what you already paid, they probably bounced the check that you sent because technically you can’t just pay what you owe without going through the official reinstatement process that is described on the reinstatement letter, usually requesting you to wire the money. I think you are close to rectifying your situation and should be getting out of foreclosure shortly.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Sunday, July 5, 2015

What Can Go Wrong if I Sign a Loan Modification Agreement without a Proper Review?

Question: I purchased my home in 2007. I lost my job in 2009 and did loan modification on my home. The loan modification got finalized with my bank in June 2013. They could never get the docs right and I had to sign twice. My credit history was damaged because it looked like I didn't make any payments for all these years. Now they are sending over a representative to have me re-sign these documents years later due to their mistake. I have not signed as of yet as I have a lot things going on, but they are threatening to foreclose on my home. I made all my payments and I am not behind. Should I hire a lawyer? I feel like I am being harassed.

Response: Have you seen the new loan modification agreement? What kind of mistake? When you signed the original loan modification, there may have been a part to the loan modification agreement regarding errors and omissions and if you signed that, then you agreed to future changes. You may need to get an attorney to see if the claimed mistake is harmful or beneficial to you. Unfortunately, as far as your credit is concerned, before the loan is current via permanent loan modification, you are considered to be in delinquent, hence, the negative credit reporting.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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How Can I Catch Up on My Delinquent Mortgage?

Question: I am several months behind on my mortgage. Can a bank foreclose on me if I make one complete mortgage payment a month and try to catch up little by little? Also, what if I can pay the principle and interest but not the taxes and insurance that are lumped into my loan payment?

Response: Generally, after you missed a full payment, the bank can send you Notice of Intent to Accelerate the loan or 90-Day Demand letter with the date by which the payment is due. The bank cannot commence its foreclosure action for at least 90 days following such letter. Most banks will not send it right away, so foreclosure will not typically begin for longer than 90 days. If you enter into an official repayment plan with your bank, then they will not commence foreclosure but if it’s just your plan to gradually pay the servicer bank, the servicer may still refer you to foreclosure. I would definitely recommend contacting your bank because there are numerous options that could be explored that could help you avoid foreclosure (loan modification, repayment plan, forbearance plan, etc.). As for the 2nd question, your taxes and insurance are part of your monthly mortgage payment so by not paying your escrow, your payment is less than full and may be placed in a suspense account; then, once there is enough money in suspense, then it is applied towards the missed payment but late fees and penalties will continue to accrue on the loan. If there is just an escrow shortage (as opposed to intentionally not paying escrow), then the servicer can divide the payment over a number of months, usually 12 to become current.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Repercussions of Walking Away from Underwater Home

Question: What are the repercussions if I walk away from my home for which I owe more than the home is worth?

Response: The main repercussion, other than ruined credit score, is that the bank go after you for the deficiency judgment, the difference between what you owe and what the bank gets at the auction during the foreclosure sale. Many banks don’t file deficiency judgments but you should at least be aware that there is a likelihood of that happening, especially depending on where you live. I would definitely recommend the least harmful options, which include a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure in order to avoid foreclosure.

As a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun has the expertise to assist interested homeowners in all steps of the short sale process including: bank negotiation and short sale approval, property listing and sale.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Recourse for Homeowners Who Faced Foreclosure Due to Delinquency of Ex-Spouses

Question: My ex-wife and I divorced in 2010. There was no property settlement. We own a house together but only my name is on the bank note, but both our names are on the deed. I moved out and she remained at the property. Mortgage was not being paid. The house was put up for a short sale and there is an offer, but title cannot be transferred because my ex-wife has debt and the debtors have attached liens to the property. She says she is broke and cannot satisfy those judgments and is planning to vacate the property. Do I have any recourse?

Response: If your ex-wife files bankruptcy, she may be able to get rid of the judgments against her that way. Otherwise, unless you find a buyer who is willing to pay off the liens or get permission from subordinate lienholders to sell the property for less than is owed, you may have some recourse. Otherwise, the bank may end up foreclosing on the property and you may need to do bankruptcy in case the bank later on chooses to go after you for deficiency judgment.

As a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun has the expertise to assist interested homeowners in all steps of the short sale process including: bank negotiation and short sale approval, property listing and sale.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Monday, May 18, 2015

Mortgagee Rights when Balloon Payment is not Disclosed in Loan Modification Agreement

Question: I am a mortgagee, who entered into a loan modification agreement and believed in all matters pertinent to it. After I made a couple of scheduled loan modification payments, the mortgagor disclosed to me an astronomical deferred interest amount I owe that was not disclosed in the loan modification agreement. The same mortgagor was also working with me on a cash for deed transaction and then all of a sudden I found out that the mortgagor sold the note to another company. What are my rights in this case?

Response: I would check the loan modification agreement to make sure that the deferred or balloon payment was truly not disclosed in the loan modification agreement. Balloon payment is a very common tool when modifying the loan because it helps decrease the monthly payment significantly and because most people are less concerned about 30-40 years from now (which in truth is the point of the balloon payment—to help people with the payment now). I have seen loan modifications where the specific balloon amount is not disclosed but I have not seen one where it would be omitted altogether. Most loan modification agreements have a balloon disclosure even if it’s not applicable so I would double check first. It is a very normal practice amongst servicers to sell the note so that it’s not shocking whatsoever. You can still negotiate the cash for deed if the new servicer provides such option.
 
In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Is my Investment in Property Secure after Homeowner on the Note Goes thru Bankruptcy and Foreclosure?

Question: I am on the deed (but not the mortgage) of my son's house. The son is planning bankruptcy and foreclosure without consideration of doing a short sale of the property. I have informed him that the short sale is less damaging in the long run, but he is not listening. I was trying to help him by giving money to buy the house and put my name on the deed to insure I protected my investment, but I fear now with the bankruptcy and foreclosure or the short sale I will be jointly liable for the issues. What are our problems now with the upcoming bankruptcy and foreclosure?

Response: The only party responsible for payment after foreclosure is the party on the note, so if it’s your son, he would be the only one liable. If he will file for bankruptcy, then his personal obligation under the note will be discharged and he will no longer be responsible for the deficiency. Maybe he is doing a deed in lieu of foreclosure since foreclosure itself happens at the bank’s initiative, not the borrower’s. Of course you will lose your initial investment in the house if there is a foreclosure but do not worry about paying the bank back.
 
As a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun has the expertise to assist interested homeowners in all steps of the short sale process including: bank negotiation and short sale approval, property listing and sale.

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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HOA would Rather Foreclose than Accept my Past Dues

Question: I am being foreclosed on by the HOA for past dues. I tried to pay the dues, but the HOA will not accept my payment. Is this allowed? The foreclosure process is started and I am doing everything I can to make the payment and get caught up. Also, there are thousands of dollars in attorney fees that are being billed to me as well. If I get caught up on the HOA fees can they still foreclose based on the additional attorney fees?

Response: Foreclosure by HOA is tricky because HOA is typically more aggressive than the bank in their effort to foreclose. They prefer to get rid of an unpaying member as quickly as possible so they could get a paying member in. If you can’t reach some sort of a payment plan with HOA, it is likely that the Judge assigned to your case would try to let you work this out rather than allow foreclosure. Otherwise, you would have to pay in full, including attorneys’ fees and costs.

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Stopping Foreclosure without Full Delinquent Amount

Question: My property has been referred for foreclosure. Is there anything I can do to stop the foreclosure if don't have the full delinquent amount?

Response: Yes, you can try to apply for a loan modification, which would allow you to possibly lower the monthly payments without having to reinstate the arrears (typically arrears get added to the unpaid principal balance and that becomes the new principal balance). Modifying the loan is the most effective way of saving the property without having to reinstate it. Other alternatives require losing the property either via short sale or deeding the property to the bank.

As a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun has the expertise to assist interested homeowners in all steps of the short sale process including: bank negotiation and short sale approval, property listing and sale.

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Filing Bankruptcy to Delay Foreclosure Auction

Question: My home will be going to foreclosure auction in a week or so. In my paperwork it states that lis pendens was filed. Can I file bankruptcy now? If I can, will it help slow down the foreclosure auction process?

Response: Yes, you can still file bankruptcy. Lis pendens is notice to the world that a party has an interest in the property, i.e. the bank is trying to foreclose. Lis pendens does not affect the filing of bankruptcy and by doing so, you will have 30 days of stay where the bank cannot foreclose and possibly longer if there will then be a subsequent delay by the bank to restore the auction.

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Owner’s Loss of Interest in Foreclosed Property While Never Signing the Note

Question: My husband and I are being sued for foreclosure. My husband is not on the loan. He is on the deed because he went with me to the closing and signed some papers. The complaint states that "The secure payment of the Note, [my name] and [my husband’s name] executed a mortgage in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc...." Why is my husband being sued if he did not sign on any loan notes? If I don't answer it, will there be a judgement against me as well as my husband by default?

Response: Usually, the person who signs the deed signs the mortgage. What your husband did not sign is the note, which is the contract where the bank lent you money. You are solely responsible for that money. Mortgage is the security instrument that allows the bank to take away the property if you default on your payments under the note. The reason both you and your husband are being sued is because your husband has an interest in the property as the record owner and the bank must cut his interest off by suing him, as well. You should most definitely answer the complaint and you are far away from the deficiency judgment to have to worry about it now. Many banks waive deficiency lawsuits. There are no default judgments in foreclosure cases in New York. By not answering the complaint, the bank can proceed with foreclosure more expeditiously so I would definitely recommend avoiding that and you want to preserve your foreclosure defenses. Your husband should not be pursued for deficiency, if there is one, since he did not sign the note (in accordance with the New York laws).

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Qualifying for Early Credit Line after Foreclosure

Question: I had a foreclosure completed in 2010. Since then I was told I need to wait seven years before I can get any type of home loan, equity loan or line of credit against another house I own, which has plenty of equity. It seems like after five full years I should have some options to borrow against my home or do I have to wait another 2 years?

Response: That would really depend on the status of your credit score and the amount of money you would be trying to borrow, among other factors. Mortgage brokers are best in answering these questions since they deal with the lenders directly. However, it is more likely than not that you would have to wait because you are still considered a risk to most lenders and they would be concerned to lend you money in anticipation of your possible default.

In the legal blog, Attorney Svetlana Kaplun addresses typical questions our firm has received from our clients, or come across from homeowners related to foreclosure, foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy topics.

The information contained in the legal blog of Attorney Svetlana Kaplun is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a legal advice on any subject matter. Please read our full disclaimer or contact the Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C. by telephone at 718-444-1115 for more information.
Copyright © 2015 Law Office of Svetlana Kaplun, P.C.

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