Forbearance Plan
When borrowers experience temporary financial setbacks such as a medical condition or natural disaster, there may be an opportunity to put the loan payments on hold for a defined period of time. Lenders are often open to this type of negotiation when borrowers have an excellent repayment history and a reasonable path to making up the missed payments at a later date. The forbearance plan would not be part of the bankruptcy but is an option to look into before a bankruptcy filing.
Short Sale Agreement
In the unfortunate scenario that you are unable to pay the loan going forward, a short sale agreement could allow you to sell the property for less than the full amount owed without carrying further debt. Such deals can help people get a fresh start on their financial future without the anchor of excess debt.
Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
Another option for people with insurmountable home mortgage debt is the transfer the deed to the lender and forgo the foreclosure process. This option can lower the long-term negative impact on your credit score.
When your debt-to-income ratio causes you to fall behind on monthly bills, it’s important to know that you have alternatives. Banks and other lending institutions are driven by profits. Foreclosure proceedings can prove to be a costly last resort in terms of a company’s bottom line.