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How foreclosure affects your credit score

Author: Jessica Bennet
Community Mentor
Ask Jessica
Posted on: 24th May, 2006 07:15am
When you fail to pay back the mortgage and you're not offered a workout plan to continue payments, chances are that the property may be foreclosed. Foreclosure involves the lender taking away your property and selling it off at an auction in order to recover the unpaid mortgage debt.

However, if the market isn't good enough and the sale price comes out to be lower than the balance you owe, then you may have to pay the deficiency (difference between the sale price and what you owe).

How does foreclosure affect credit?


When it comes to foreclosure, most people are concerned about how foreclosure affects on credit rating. This is because until and unless one is able to rebuild credit after foreclosure, he will not be able to get credit/loans at better rates of interest. If the financial markets are not good enough, one may not even be approved for any type of credit or mortgage.

Moreover, if your credit isn't good, you won't be able to secure a job in case you're looking for a new one. Therefore, prior to a foreclosure, you should be aware of how foreclosure affects your credit score.

Foreclosure affects your credit score by 250 points. That is, if you have a credit score of 680, it will drop down to 430. So, it's better to avoid a foreclosure and request the lender for a loss mitigation plan so that you're able to keep the home or if at all you can't keep the home, then at least see that your credit doesn't get a big hit.

Foreclosure: How long will it affect credit?


Like any other negative item, a foreclosure stays on your credit report for 7 years. However, foreclosure affects your credit score predominantly for the first 2 years. But, once you start rebuilding your credit, it gets better with time, though it'll take almost 2-4 years to get a mortgage after foreclosure, that too at comparatively better rates of interest.

How can you repair credit after foreclosure?


Here are 3 tips to help you repair credit after foreclosure.
  • Prepare a budget: Look at the way you spend your money. Plan a budget and try to follow it. Understand why your home was foreclosed. If there's anything that you could have avoided, try to fix it now. Track if you are spending extra and adjust your budget accordingly. Use the Simple Budgeting tool and prepare a well-planned budget.


  • Pay your bills on time: Keep paying your bills and debts in time and make sure your creditors report them to the credit bureaus. If required, take help of a credit counselor or avail debt management plan in order to reduce your debt burden. This is because high debt load will affect your credit score and bring it down. Don't ignore small expenses as otherwise they can be sent for collections.


  • Get a credit card: You can apply for credit cards and use it to make small purchases. But pay off the balance in full every month. This will reflect that you can manage credit responsibly thereby borrowing only what you can afford and paying it back in time. However, go for a credit card only if you have adjusted your expenses.
Even if foreclosure affects on credit rating, you can manage your finances wisely and rebuild credit after foreclosure. All you need is to stick to your budget, make debt payments in time and avoid overspending.
Posted on: 24th May, 2006 07:15 am
If you were quit claimed on to a property and are not on the loan. If the property get foreclosed on will this effect your credit? Will a forecoseure show up on your credit report? And how do you find out if the other person on the title who does carry the loan has missed payments and may be near a default?
Hi there, we received the act 91 notice, met with the counsellor. while we are waitingto see whether they approve us or not we continue to gethounded by creditors...while i am in this 'waiting' stage, do i have to worry about paying them? thank u!!!
Posted on: 26th Jan, 2010 01:01 pm
Hi stefanie,

I would suggest you to inform your creditors that you've applied for the HEMAP assistance. Once you get the assistance you can pay them off.

Hi tyson,

Your query has been answered in the given page:
http://www.mortgagefit.com/quitclaim/cost-llc.html

Take a look at it. Hope it helps you.

Thanks
Posted on: 26th Jan, 2010 09:18 pm
How do I use the QuitClaim deed toadd my daughter's name to the property? Which section of the form must I must? The form leads me to believe that I can do transfers only.
Posted on: 28th Jan, 2010 09:52 am
Have you spoken to an attorney or title company?
Posted on: 28th Jan, 2010 12:33 pm
My brother quit claimed his home to my niece befoe he died. She did not sign the quit claim deed and does not want the property. Is she still responsbile for property taxes? Note: there is a mortgage on the property, but my niece is not on the mortgage.
Posted on: 29th Jan, 2010 09:19 pm
You will need to speak to an attorney and/or title company.
If she's not on the deed or mortgage then she's not responsible.
Of course if the mortgage or taxes aren't paid, then the home will be foreclosed
Posted on: 29th Jan, 2010 09:45 pm
I went through a trial period with a much lower monthly payment under the HAMP but after almost 9 months it came back my monthly payment would be slightly more than it was before I entered into the program since all the difference during the trial period was added onto my loan amount. I was very upset and acknowledged this over the phone. They sent only a "part" of the agreement and when I called back said they closed my case b/c it didn't sound like I wanted it! My home has lost so much value I can't think about selling it and cannot afford the modification anyhow. Are the mortgage companies playing games to force people into foreclosure? Would they prefer a foreclosure over a modification?
Posted on: 31st Jan, 2010 09:28 am
I have found a house that is in foreclosure and due to be sold in March, can I have to owner do a Quitclaim Deed over to me then make up the past due payments and other monies that might be owed before the sale, then just take over payments and later refinance the house? I live in AZ and does that pose any other issues?

Thanks
Posted on: 31st Jan, 2010 10:16 am
Last straw - hard to say. Were you dealing with a mod company or bank? Banks are losing money when your home forecloses than it takes them months to put it on the market..and probably 1 year or more to sell it
Posted on: 31st Jan, 2010 03:02 pm
Steven - i wouldn't see why you couldn't do that. Except most notes have an accelerate clause which makes the new deed holder pay all the note UPFRONT! A lot of banks won't use this but you never know

Make sure to speak with a real estate attorney
Posted on: 31st Jan, 2010 03:03 pm
Hello Jessica,
I had a forcloser over 7 years ago / and NO I HAVE NEVER had a credit card or a loan sense. I am concerned that the forcloser and all the (for lack of a better word) crap / hasn't as of yet dropped from my credit reports ... Do they simply drop after 7 years? or do I have to GET THEM taken off?
Posted on: 07th Feb, 2010 08:01 am
they drop off 7 years after the discharge date you can hire someone to try to clean up your credit report but you can also do this yourself.

Either way...in the declarations in the 1003 you have to answer truthfully which asks you if you EVER had a foreclosure
Posted on: 07th Feb, 2010 10:52 am
isnt it a law that one has to sign his or her signature to be put on a quit claim deed in ct?
Posted on: 23rd Feb, 2010 09:14 am
Hi bee!

Welcome to forums!

It is the grantor's signature which is required in the quit claim deed. Most states do not require the grantee to sign the deed. You can contact a California based attorney and take his suggestions in this matter.

Feel free to ask if you've further queries.

Sussane
Posted on: 23rd Feb, 2010 11:22 pm
I know with a quick sale you have to pay taxes on the amount that is left that the new buyer did not pay. Do you have to pay anything if your property goes through foreclosure??
Posted on: 04th Mar, 2010 03:11 pm
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