What is a Foreclosure?

A foreclosure is an action taken against a property owner by seizure of his/her real property. It can be for many reasons. The main cause is delinquent payments on a mortgage. The mortgage company or second and even third mortgage holders contact the owner, then the trustee (usually an attorney) to begin the process. If it is VA guaranteed or FHA insured, many times they offer assistance or alternatives. Then the appraisal is ordered to determine fair market value.

It can also be for medical bills, delinquent taxes and other liens, even credit cards. "The purpose of this foreclosure is for collection of a debt" is usually printed in the legal section of the newspaper as well as some other publications, such as local business papers and law papers.

Many people feel that they can purchase these properties for almost nothing and sometimes that is the case, especially tax sales. If the property is " free and clear" of other liens then it is solely based on the taxes, penalties and interest due. I know of some that have sold for less than a few thousand dollars.

The owner has the right to cure the default right up to the very last minute before the sale. A pay off statement is prepared including the delinquent payments, trustee fees (usually 5 % of the remaining balance of the loan), processing fees, property inspections, appraisal and any other thing the mortgage company can think of. The problem is not only coming up with the funds but knowing what charges are and if they are legitimate. I have only heard of lawyers and accountants challenging mortgage companies on over or false charges. Please rate and tell friends.

Suzie has been in the business twenty years as a licensed real estate agent, broker and certified residential appraiser who majored in real estate and architecture. She hopes to improve the industry one step and one person at a time. Other professionals in the same fields as well as educators have contibuted.

More than 40 states signed onto a proposed $25-billion deal with major mortgage servicers over faulty foreclosure practices. New York, Nevada and Delaware joined California in holding out for better terms.

More than 40 states signed onto a proposed $25-billion settlement with major mortgage servicers over faulty foreclosure procedures, but California, New York and other key states were still not among them.

California has until Monday to share in a multi-state deal with banks to obtain mortgage relief and reforms. Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, who walked away from talks last year, says the door remains open.

With a Monday deadline at hand, California officials have resumed direct talks with the Obama administration about joining a multibillion-dollar, multi-state mortgage settlement with the nation's largest banks, a source said Sunday.

The talk show host pays $12 million for the 4,088-square-foot house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The ocean-view home sits on 1.26 bluff-top acres with beach access.

In one of the more talked-about transactions in town, actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have sold their Malibu beach house to daytime host and comedian Ellen De Generes for $12 million.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom house built in 1920 for industrialist James Wigmore lists for $2,875,000.

A decorative cast stone entrance opens to this restored Spanish Colonial Revival-style house in Pasadena's South Orange Grove area. Built in 1920 for industrialist James Wigmore, the house retains such original details as coffered wood ceilings and arched doorways.

They don't believe they can sell their property for what it's worth, so they're spending money on making their homes more comfortable.

Do you fit any of these descriptions?

A biennial research report by the National Assn. of Realtors indicates that a handful of real estate agents and brokers and their clients either don't know the law or don't care to follow it.

When it comes to lawsuits, real estate agents and brokers tangle mostly among themselves.

The president aims to help about 3.5 million people with good credit who are unable to refinance at historically low rates because their homes are worth less than their mortgages.

 

The White House hopes to help millions of homeowners lower their monthly mortgage bill with a $5 billion to $10 billion plan to set up a streamlined refinancing program for people who are current on their payments.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of 20 large U.S. cities fell 1.3% in November from October as foreclosures continue to drag down the housing market.

Three straight months of home-price declines in the biggest U.S. cities showed that foreclosures remain a significant drag on a housing market that is entering its fifth year of deterioration.

L.A. Clipper Chris Paul may be quick down the court, but he moves pretty fast when it comes to buying multimillion-dollar real estate too.