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Unfair foreclosures

By Marcie Geffner ·
Friday, November 5, 2010
Posted: 10 am ET

Few things in life are really fair.



  • Some states handle foreclosures mainly though the courts. Others use a nonjudicial process. Still others allow both judicial and nonjudicial foreclosures, though one process is likely to be more common than the other.
  • Some states allow lenders to pursue deficiency judgments. Others don't.
  • Some states offer loans and grants to certain homeowners to help them try to avoid foreclosure. Other states offer no such aid.
  • Some states allow a redemption period of up to one year. Others have no such rule.
  • In some states, a foreclosure can be over and done with in 30-60 days. In other states, the process can drag on for nine months or longer.

All of these differences mean some homeowners have multiple opportunities to delay or forestall a foreclosure and stay in their house -- rent free -- for quite a long time, while other homeowners in similar circumstances can be whisked through the process from default to out-the-door with hardly any chance to find a sofa to sleep on, much less an apartment to rent.

In the end, the outcome is the same. The homeowner loses the home and the bank sells the home to someone else. But the process and its disparities raise some troubling questions about equality of treatment under the law.

Do you think the foreclosure process in your state is reasonably and relatively fair to homeowners compared with how they might be treated elsewhere? Why or why not?


December 20, 2010 at 2:09 am

Although Razor is a bit harsh in his words, can't agree more. I am a real estate appraiser and know the business. No bank wants a home. They want their payments every month. to Threetime. I feel for you losing your job as it went to Mexico and you may be responsible with your finances. However, your "dream home" can only be yours if you have a way to pay for it. Whether loss of a job, illness, or whatever, you have to pay for that house, and to try and fight the real owner of the home (the lender) for a house that is not yours is just sad. You are going to lose more money to your attorney, and respect from those around you. What a sad state this country is in. As for me I bought at the peak of the market, but irronically I can afford my house more easily now, as most of my work is appraising bank owned properties so they know how much to sell them for. So thanks to all those losing their homes in my area. I had my best year yet. Hoping for an even better 2011.