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FORECLOSED HOMES SAVANNAH: WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

John E. Pytte Oct. 31, 2016

country houseForeclosure is a legal process through which the lender in a mortgage loan agreement seeks to obtain ownership and possession of real estate because the borrower is not fulfilling the terms and conditions of the contract. The foreclosure process commences when a borrower fails to make a certain number of agreed-to payments set in the terms and conditions of a mortgage agreement. A person facing the prospect of a home mortgage foreclosure needs to familiarize him or herself with the general elements of the process.

Mortgage Laws from One State to Another

Mortgage laws are state statutes. As a result, they do differ from one jurisdiction to another. For example, in some states, the only way a residential foreclosure can occur is if the lender files a lawsuit in court. On the other hand, in other states non-judicial foreclosure is available. What that means is that a lender does not need to file a lawsuit to foreclose on real estate if the objective is to obtain full title and possession to the real estate. A lawsuit is necessary in those jurisdictions if the lender wants to try and recoup mortgage loan payments not made by the homeowner in advance of the foreclosure and other losses.

Mortgage Laws in Georgia

The primary method of foreclosure in Georgia is non-judicial. More often than not in Georgia, the mortgage deed includes what is known as a “power of sale” clause. This clause grants the lender the ability to sell the real estate in question if the borrower defaults on the loan. The sale is intended to address the losses sustained by the lender in terms of the non-payment by the borrower.

Savannah Foreclosed Homes Procedures

When a borrower defaults on a home mortgage loan, the lender must send that individual a demand letter. The demand letter gives the borrower 10 days to pay all money due to the lender. This includes the missed mortgage payment or payments as well as any late fees, penalties, and interest.

If the borrower is able to make this payment, the foreclosure process ceases. The borrower is not required to pay the lender's attorney fees if this payment is made within the 10-day time period.

If the borrower does not make the payment delineated in the demand letter, the foreclosure process continues. The lender publishes a notice of a scheduled foreclosed homes in Savannah for sale in a newspaper in the county were the real estate is located. The notice is published for four consecutive weeks prior to the date of the sale. In addition, the borrower must receive written notice of the sale at least 15 days before the date scheduled for the sale.

All foreclosure sales in Georgia must take place on the first Tuesday of each month. The sale must occur on that day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in a location determined by the county.

Retain an Attorney

A person facing a residential foreclosure can best protect his or her rights and interests by engaging the services of a skilled, experienced Georgia foreclosure attorney. Through the assistance of counsel, a homeowner may be able to gain more time to try to find a reasonable way to negotiate the timeframe in which the past due payment or payments are made. In other words, a foreclosure attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement by which a homeowner gains the ability to keep his or her and avoid the formal foreclosure process.

A foreclosure lawyer will schedule an initial consultation to discuss a homeowner's options. Typically, a Georgia foreclosure attorney does not charge a fee for an initial consultation with a prospective client.

Georgia Debt Relief of Savannah GA is on your side when it comes to foreclosed homes and many other debt-related legal issues. Talk to our friendly staff any time- tell us your story and we’ll see if we can help.