Winter Haven Foreclosure Lawyers

Find the right Foreclosure attorney in Winter Haven, FL

Foreclosure Law in Florida

In Winter Haven, Florida, foreclosure is a legal process through which an entity which has issued a mortgage takes possession and/or ownership of the property that secured the mortgage, because the individual who took out the mortgage has consistently failed to make payments on it. The property in question is usually a house.

When individuals are facing foreclosure, it normally involves a house. The bank will acquire the house with the intent of selling it at an auction, hoping to cover whatever's left on the mortgage, giving them at least a chance to break even on the loan.

Like every other state in the U.S., Florida authorizes homeowners facing foreclosure to opt for a foreclosure by judicial sale. This is a procedure through which a court oversees the sale of the house by the lender. The purpose is to see that the lender takes reasonable steps to notify the public of the auction, and other steps to ensure that the house sells for the highest price possible. This is meant to protect the borrower, making it less likely that they'll have to pay a large deficiency judgment (the remaining amount due on the mortgage if the house sells for less than the remaining balance).

In some states, original mortgages are regarded "non-recourse" loans. This means that once the house or other property that secured the mortgage is sold, and if it sells for less than the balance of the mortgage, the lender has to absorb the loss, and cannot sue the borrower for the remainder. This normally does not apply to second mortgages or refinanced loans.

How to Possibly Avoid Foreclosure in Winter Haven, Florida

Communication between you and your lender is perhaps the most significant way to prevent foreclosure. Ignoring the issue is guaranteed to be counterproductive. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to dealing with lenders.

Throughout all this, you should remember one thing: the bank doesn't really want your house. After all, banks aren't real estate speculators, they're mainly money lenders. They stand to make a great deal of money if you are able to make your mortgage payments until it's paid off. They're likely to make much less if they're forced to sell your house.

It's possible that your lender is willing to negotiate a plan that results in temporarily-lower payments on your mortgage, particularly if this means that they will be able to get some payments, instead of none at all.

Lastly, there is the "short sale." Normally considered a last resort, a short sale results in the borrower losing their home, but discharges almost all of their remaining mortgage debt. If the house is worth far less than the balance of the mortgage, this might be a good choice. In Florida, when a house is sold in a short sale, the proceeds go to the lender. If it sells for less than the mortgage balance, whatever's leftover is forgiven. If it sells for more, the surplus goes to the homeowner.

Can a Winter Haven, Florida real estate attorney help?

If you are worried that your Winter Haven, Florida house is going to be foreclosed, and want to try and stop this, a seasoned real estate lawyer can help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Winter Haven

Located in Polk County, Winter Haven Florida is home to just under 30,000 residents. The charming city is home to the second largest Legoland in the world and is also the site of the first Publix Supermarket Store.Winter Haven served as the former spring baseball training site for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox and it is easy to see that city's enthusiasm for sports in the many parks and recreation centers that dot the city.

Winter Haven is home to one college: Polk State College, which is a popular choice for local students to attend. With a heavy emphasis on education, Winter Haven is home to some top professionals including bankers, doctors, accountants and lawyers. Winter Haven lawyers enjoy everything the city has to offer, both personally and professionally. Winter Haven lawyers were trained at some of the nation's top universities and are always happy to help their local client with whatever the legal issue may be.

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