Milwaukee Foreclosure Lawyers

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Foreclosure Law in Wisconsin

Foreclosure is when a lender in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, re-possesses the real property that was purchased with the loan. This is meant to cover the bank's losses, in case the borrower continuously fails to make his or her mortgage payments.

A foreclosure usually involves a forced sale of the house at auction, so the bank can recover at least some of the loss it has incurred as a result of the default. Banks usually want to rid themselves of the property as soon as possible, collect as much money as they can from the sale, and then move on.

In all states in the U.S., including Wisconsin, borrowers have the option of foreclosure by judicial sale. This allows a court to oversee the sale of the property by the bank. The purpose of this is to get the house to sell for the highest price possible. While this might seem like something that would only benefit the bank, it is also a great benefit to the borrower, since it increases the likelihood that the sale will cover the full balance of the mortgage, preventing them from having to pay it.

Some states treat mortgages as "non-recourse loans." A non-recourse loan is one that is secured by the borrower's property, but for which the borrower is not personally liable. Basically, this means that a lender in a foreclosure can take the house that was mortgaged, but nothing else. If the house sells for less than the lender is owed, it cannot go after the borrower.

How to Possibly Avoid Foreclosure in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

First and foremost, you need to communicate with your lender, and not ignore the issue. Ignoring a problem with your mortgage will not make it go away, and can only make things worse. You should be honest with your lender, and stay in touch with them as much as possible.

You should be mindful of the fact that your bank wants you to make your monthly mortgage payments - they probably aren't scheming to trick you into giving up your home. This isn't out of altruism, it's due to the fact that foreclosure is almost never as lucrative for the bank in the long run than a mortgage that is paid in full over a period of years or decades, with interest accruing the whole time. For a bank, a foreclosure is simply a last resort to cut their losses.

If you face sudden expenses, such as medical bills or a lawsuit, which put a serious but relatively short-term strain on your finances, you should notify your lender immediately. You might find that they are willing to accept lower payments, if this will prevent you from defaulting.

As a last resort, you might consider a "short sale," which results in loss of the home, but it usually leads to a great deal of the debt on the mortgage being forgiven. Essentially, a short sale in Wisconsin involves selling the house for whatever price it can fetch. The proceeds from the sale go to the lender, and if it sells for less than what's left on the mortgage, the balance of the debt is forgiven.

Can a Milwaukee, Wisconsin real estate attorney help?

If you feel that your home is close to being foreclosed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and want to try to prevent this, the advice and assistance of an experienced real estate lawyer can mean the difference between keeping or losing your home.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the largest city in that state. It has a population of over 600,000 people.

The area now known as Milwaukee was populated by various Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the 1840s, a large wave of German immigrants, fleeing the 1848 revolution, sought the freedom and inexpensive land that the Milwaukee area offered. They contributed to the city's German character, which persists to this day. Beginning in the early 20th Century, Milwaukee became a major center for the socialist movement in the U.S., and elected 3 mayors from the Socialist Party.

Today, 13 companies in the Fortune 1000 have their headquarters in Milwaukee. Health care is one of the largest sectors of Milwaukee's economy, comprising about 27% of the jobs in the city. About 2/3 of the Milwaukee workforce is employed in manufacturing of some sort, which is one of the highest percentages in the U.S. - it seems clear that Milwaukee's manufacturing sector has survived the rash of factory closings and outsourcing that ravaged so many other Midwestern cities in the last few decades.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a thriving legal community. If you live in the Milwaukee area, and need legal services, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin lawyer can help.

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