Renters: Who owns home the home we're renting? The home two renters are renting was recently sold in a sheriff's sale. Now they're wondering, who actually owns the home and what does it mean for them? Q: Let’s assume someone has a mortgage. Their home sells for one dollar at a sheriff’s sale. Who owns [...]
What can you do if your mortgage is underwater? This homeowner wants to know if she can foreclose and move on, but that should only be her last resort. Q: I am a widow in my 70s and my mortgage is underwater. Can I just let the bank foreclose and move on? I don't want [...]
How can I get out of my underwater mortgage? If my mortgage is underwater and the home is in disrepair, can I let the bank foreclose and move on? Q: I am a widow in my 70s and my mortgage is underwater. In addition, the house is in need of much repair. Can I just [...]
COVID-19 housing impact: which homeowners are most vulnerable? New research spotlights housing markets that are most at-risk in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on many parts of the economy: Mortgage interest rates hit an all-time low last week (a 30-year fixed-rate loan can be had for an average of 2.98 percent) [...]
What happens when past homeowners have unpaid back taxes? The home may become at risk for foreclosure if the new owner skipped title insurance. Q: I bought a home back in 2013. I received free and clear title to it. However this week I was served with papers for foreclosure due to the previous owner's [...]
Speeding up the short sale process: Is it possible? The answer depends on the lender, the seller, and the real estate market. Q: I’ve been reading a lot of your columns about short sales. Why do short sales take so long to complete? How can I make the short sale process go faster? A: Short [...]
How did a Wells Fargo computer glitch force foreclosure on 400 homes? What does it mean for mortgage loans and the real estate industry? Wells Fargo has faced scandal after scandal for bad business practices, including creating fake customer accounts to boost sales figures, charging unfair mortgage fees and charging customers for car insurance they [...]
This reader stopped paying his mortgage when his loan was sold. It’s been a few years since he made a mortgage payment and apparently has little contact with the lender. Q: My mortgage was sold to a loan processor in 2011. I got a welcome letter saying my payment was $635 when it really should [...]
I’m struggling to pay my mortgage. What are my options? Is it worth going back to a high paying job but missing out on time with the kids? Here’s what I suggest: Q: I need $8,000 to bring my mortgage to date. It costs me $1,000 per month. I have $100,000 in equity. It seems [...]
Is your mortgage loan forgiven when you outlive the lender? Certain legal loopholes may make it a possibility, but don’t bet on it. Q: I have paid $30,000 of a $60,000 mortgage on vacant land but then got behind on payments. The owner has failed to foreclose. I have continued to pay the real estate [...]
