“Project Lifeline” may be just more posturing.

The current Administration has come up with a new plan to “help folks in foreclosure”. Don’t you just love how we all become “folks” whenever politicians talk? …. Anyway , the latest brainstorm out of D.C. came last week when Treasury Secretary Paulson introduced “Project Lifeline” and, not surpisingly, Al Jackson, Secretary of HUD quickly stood behind it. The plan in it’s simplest analysis is for the Administration to “encourage” 6 of the nations largest lenders, who are collectively responsible for more than 50% of all mortgages nationwide to offer a “freeze” on any rate adjustment that may send a homeowner over the edge. This is not limited to “folks” with sub prime ARM’s but also extends to less risky borrowers with Alt-A and even prime loans. Read more

Real Estate News This Morning - February 25, 2008

The Morning Review of Today’s Top Real Estate Stories

Get your cup of coffee and settle in with this morning’s top real estate related stories right off the newswires! Read more

Wyoming Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Wyoming, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of

sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. Written notice of intent to foreclose the mortgage by advertisement and sale must be served upon the record owner, and the person in possession of the mortgaged premises (if different than the record owner), by certified mail with return receipt, at least ten (10) days before the first publication of notice of sale.

   The notice must be published at least once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed in the county where the property is located. If there is no newspaper printed in the county, then the notice must be published in a paper printed in the state and of general circulation in said county.

   Said notice must specify the name of the borrower, the lender and the lender’s representative, the date of the mortgage and when it was recorded, the amount of the default, a description of the property and the time and place of sale.
    

2. The sale must be held at the front door of the courthouse of the county in which the premises to be sold, or some part of them, are situated, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and must be conducted by the person appointed for that purpose in the mortgage or by the sheriff or deputy sheriff of the county. Anyone may bid, including the lender. The highest bidder will receive a certificate of purchase.

   Such sale may be postponed from time to time by inserting a notice as soon as possible in the newspaper in which the original advertisement was published and continuing such publication until the time to which the sale shall be postponed, at the expense of the party requesting such postponement.
    

3. The borrower has three (3) months from the date of sale to redeem the property by paying the amount of the purchase price or the amount given or bid if purchased by the execution creditor or by the mortgagee under a mortgage, together with interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) from the date of sale plus the amount of any assessments or taxes and the amount due on any prior lien which the purchaser paid after the purchase, with interest.

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments in Wyoming.

Wisconsin Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 90 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Wisconsin, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. However, in Wisconsin, no sale may be made for one year from the date the judgment is entered unless the lender waives the right to a deficiency, in which case the delay is six months, or two months if the property is abandoned. Sales by consent may be earlier.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. The foreclosure notice must be recorded with the county prior to the time the first notice of foreclosure is published. The notice, which must include the time and place of sale, must be published once a week for six consecutive weeks in a newspaper in the county where the property is located.

   The notice must be served upon the borrower in the same manner that civil process in a lawsuit is served. In instances where the borrower can’t be found, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous spot on the mortgaged premises and served on any occupant.

   Said notice must specify the names of the borrower and lender, the date the mortgage was recorded, the amount due at the date of the notice, a property description and the time and place of sale.
    

2. The sale must be held at the time and place stated in the foreclosure notice. The winning bidder will receive a certificate of purchase. If necessary, the sale may be postponed.
    
3. Unless the foreclosure sale has been confirmed by court order, the borrower has one year (12 months) to redeem the property by paying the amount of the highest bid at the foreclosure sale, plus interest.

Wisconsin law allows a foreclosure sale to be confirmed by court order. If the lender states their intentions in the application for sales confirmation, then they may file a deficiency suit. Otherwise, deficiency suits are not allowed.

West Virginia Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 60 days

-  Right of Redemption: No

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: No

In West Virginia, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. The notice of sale must be posted on the front door of the courthouse for the county in which the property to be sold is located, and three (3) other public places, one of which must be the property itself, at least twenty (20) days prior to sale. The notice must also be served upon the borrower and subordinate lien holders at least twenty (20) days prior to the foreclosure sale.

   Additionally, the notice must be published as a Class III legal advertisement in the county where the property is located once a week for four (4) weeks.

   Said notice must contain the time and place of the foreclosure sale, the names of the parties to the deed, the date of the deed, recording information, a property description and the terms of the sale.
    

2. The sale must be held at the time and place stated in the foreclosure notice and completed by public auction to the highest bidder. Unless the deed specifies the terms of sale, the buyer must pay one-third (1/3) of the bid amount in cash at the sale.

Deficiency actions are generally not permitted in West Virginia and there are no rights of redemption.

Washington DC Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: No

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust

-  Timeline: Typically 60 days

-  Right of Redemption: No

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Washington D.C., lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts in default using the non-judicial foreclosure process.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed.

If the terms of the sale are not established in the deed of trust, the lender, or his representative, must obtain a court order specifying the terms of the sale.

However, no foreclosure sale may take place unless the lender gives written notice, by certified mail (return receipt requested), to the borrower at his last known address. This notice must also be sent to the Mayor of the District of Columbia, or his designated agent. Both notices must be sent at least thirty (30) days prior to the sale, with the thirty (30) day period beginning on the day the notice is received by the Mayor. This notice must be given in addition to any notices set forth by the court, the mortgage or the deed of trust.

In Washington D.C., lenders may obtain a deficiency judgment against the borrower for the difference between the foreclosure sale amount and the amount remaining on the original loan. The borrower has no rights of redemption.

Washington Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 120 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes, but may be precluded.

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Washington, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. The notice of sale must be transmitted both by regular mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the borrower at their last known address, and by regular mail to the attorney of record for the borrower, if any, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the day of sale.

   The sheriff must publish a notice of the sale once a week, consecutively, for four (4) weeks, in any daily or weekly legal newspaper of of general circulation published in the county in which the property is located. Additionally, the sheriff must also post the notice in two public places, one of which must be the courthouse door, in the county where the sale is to take place for a period of not less than four weeks prior to the day of sale.

   Said notice must contain the time and place of the foreclosure sale, the names of the parties to the deed, the date of the deed, recording information, a property description, the terms of the sale, and the borrowers rights (or lack of) redemption.
    

2. The borrower has up to eleven (11) days before the sale stop the foreclosure process by paying the past due payments, plus expenses, including trustee and attorney fees.
    
3. The sale must be made by auction between 9:00 am in the morning and 4:00 am in the afternoon at the courthouse door on Friday unless Friday is a legal holiday and then the sale must be held on the next following regular business day. The sale may not be conducted less than 190 days from the date of default and the highest bidder will receive a certificate of sale.

   The sheriff may postpone the sale (not exceeding one (1) week next after the day appointed) by giving notice and by posting written notices of the adjournment under the notices of sale originally posted.

Unless redemption rights have been precluded, the borrower may, within eight (8) months after the date of the sale, redeem the property by paying the amount of the highest bid at the foreclosure, plus interest.

If the non-judicial foreclosure process is used by the lender, then it cannot sue for a deficiency judgment. On judicial foreclosure sales, the borrower can be sued for a deficiency, unless the property is found to be abandoned for six (6) months before the decree of foreclosure.

Short Sale Tip # 5: Homeowner Financial Package

Short Sale Tip # 5: Homeowner Financial Package

Now that you are asking for a reduction in their payoff, and after you have submitted a real tear-jerker of a Hardship Letter, the bank wants to see how the hardship has truly affected the homeowner financially. Read more

Virginia Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 60 days

-  Right of Redemption: Varies

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Virginia, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial process of foreclosure, which involves filing a lawsuit to obtain a court order to foreclose, is used when no power of sale is present in the mortgage or deed of trust. Generally, after the court declares a foreclosure, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

The borrower has two hundred forty (240) days from the date of the sale to redeem the property by paying the amount for which the property was sold, plus six (6) percent interest.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the “Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines”.

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

1. If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. However, additional requirements must be met, as outlined below in section one (1).

   Even when the deed of trust makes allowances for advertising the foreclosure sale, Virginia Statutes require ads to be published no less than once a day for three days, which may be consecutive days. These requirements are in addition to the advertising terms stipulated in the deed of trust. If the deed of trust does not provide for advertising, then the ad shall be run once a week for four successive weeks. However, near a city, an ad on five different days, which may be consecutive, will be sufficient.

   A copy of the advertisement or a notice with the same information must be mailed to the borrower at least 14 days before the foreclosure sale.
    

2. The foreclosure sale ad must include anything required by the deed of trust and may include a legal description of the property, a street address and a tax map identification or general information about the property’s location. The notice must include the time, place and terms of sale. It must give the name of the trustee and the address and phone number of a person who will be able to respond to inquiries about the foreclosure sale.

   Any time before the sale, the borrower may cure the default and stop the sale by paying the lien debt, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
    

3. The sale, which may be held no earlier than eight (8) days after the first ad is published and no more than thirty (30) days after the last advertisement is published, is to be made at auction to the highest bidder. Any person other than the trustee may bid at the foreclosure sale, including a person who has submitted a written one-price bid. Written one-price bids may be made and shall be received by the trustee for entry by announcement of the trustee at the sale. Any bidder in attendance may inspect written bids. Additionally, the trustee may require bidders to place a cash deposit of up to ten (10) percent of the sale price, unless the dead of trust specifies a higher or lower amount.

   In the event of postponement of sale, which may be done at the discretion of the trustee, advertisement of such postponed sale shall be in the same manner as the original advertisement of sale.
    

4. Once the sale is complete, the proceeds will go to: 1) the expenses of executing the trust; 2) to discharge all taxes, levies, and assessments, with costs and interest if they have priority over the lien of the deed of trust; 3) to discharge in the order of their priority, if any, the remaining debts and obligations secured by the deed, and any liens of record inferior to the deed of trust under which sale is made; 4) any remaining proceeds go to the borrower.

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments, without limits, in Virginia.

Vermont Foreclosure Laws

-  Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes

-  Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage

-  Timeline: Typically 210 days

-  Right of Redemption: Yes

-  Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Vermont, lenders may foreclose on mortgages or deeds of trust in default using the strict or the power of sale foreclosure process.

Strict Foreclosure

The strict foreclosure process is based on the premise that the lender owns the property until the mortgage has been paid in full. If the borrower breaks any of the conditions established in the mortgage prior to the time the loan is paid in full, he or she will lose any right to the property and the lender will either take possession of the property or arrange for it’s sale. In Vermont, a suit must be filed in the county where the property is located before either of these actions can occur. The borrower will be served a summons to appear before the court and informed of his rights, at which time the lender may move for a summary judgment and avoid the trial altogether.

Regardless, the borrower has either a six (6) month (post-1968 mortgages) or a twelve (12) month (pre-1968 mortgages)

redemption period.

Power of Sale Foreclosure

A “power of sale” clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee.

In Vermont, power of sale foreclosures are conducted either judicially or non-judicially, depending on the type of property securing the deed of trust or mortgage.

Judicial Foreclosure

In Vermont, lenders who wish to obtain a foreclosure using the power of sale clause in the deed of trust must first file a complaint in a court having jurisdiction in the county where the property is located to try and obtain a decree of sale. This form of foreclosure must be used when the property includes a dwelling of two units or less, with the owner using said property as their principal residence. The sale of this type of property may not be held until seven (7) months after the decree of sale has been issued.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

In Vermont, when a power of sale is contained in a mortgage relating to any property except for a dwelling house of two units or less, that is occupied by the owner as a principal residence, or farmland, the lender may exercise the power of sale without first commencing a foreclosure action or obtaining a foreclosure decree.

Power of Sale Guidelines

1. At least thirty (30) days prior to the publication of a notice of sale, a notice of intent to foreclose must be sent to the borrower by registered or certified mail at his or her last known address. The notice of intent must include information on the mortgage to be foreclosed, state the condition breached and the lenders right to accelerate the mortgage, and include the total amount necessary to cure the default. The borrower must also be informed that he or she is entitled to receive a notice of sale at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of sale.
    
2. The borrower may redeem the property at any time prior to the foreclosure sale by paying the full amount due on the mortgage, plus costs.
    
3. The sale must be held on the property itself, unless otherwise ordered by the court, and the property must be sold to the highest bidder. Anyone may bid at the sale, including the lender. The borrower is entitled to receive any surplus from the sale, but they may also be sued for deficiency if the sale price is not enough to cover the amount of the mortgage in default.
    
4. If the property is sold without court action, as in non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale, the notice of sale must include the following language:
    
5. “The mortgagor is hereby notified that at any time before the foreclosure sale, the mortgagor has a right to petition the superior court for the county in which the mortgaged premises are situated, with service upon the mortgagee, and upon such bond as the court may require, to enjoin the scheduled foreclosure sale. Failure to institute such petition and complete service upon the foreclosing party, or their agent, conducting the sale prior to sale shall thereafter bar any action or right of action of the mortgagor based on the validity of the foreclosure, the right of the mortgage holder to conduct the foreclosure sale, or compliance by the mortgage holder with the notice requirements and other conditions of section 4532 of Title 12. An action to recover damages resulting from the sale of the premises on the date of the sale may be commenced at any time within one year following the date of the sale, but not thereafter.”