Six Steps to Keep Your House
filed in Credit on Nov.23, 2009
Life can throw you curveballs. No question about it. Whether it’s unemployment, unexpected medical bills or student loans, or an accident, sometimes people fail to be able to handle their financial commitments. If one of these problems arises in your life, how can you repair your finances without losing your home? Here are six options to consider.
1. Look carefully at the cause of your debts. What is really causing your inability to pay your debts? There may be something you can do about that, perhaps take a second job or apply for assistance. Especially in the case of student loans there are many different avenues to acquire government or other assistance. You should also take a look at your spending habits, and make sure there is nothing to fix there.
2. Talk with your Lender. Remember, the bank never wants your property; it is worth far more to you than it is to them. The person who is in the best position to give you some sort of help is your lender. You should come clean with the causes of your debt and inability to repay, and then see if they can offer you a debt repayment plan or some other form of bankruptcy alternative.
3. Pay overdue amounts. If you can, pay all of your loans with very high interest rates first. This might include credit card debt or any other overdue balances which have extremely high interest rates. You could look into a consolidation loan or other avenues to get this done. Doing this will also inspire in you that you have the ability to pay your debts, and it will give your lender confidence that you are willing and able to repay.
4. Get debt educated. There is a whole host of rights and programs offered by the government to help those in financial trouble. Right now you should visit the FTC website and read the Fair Debt Collection Act. It gives people a whole host of rights, including freedom from much of the harassment that you may currently be experiencing.
5. Find yourself a debt counselor. Most states offer some sort of free debt counseling services. These people can help you navigate the minefield of debt relief. They won’t try to sell you anything (if they do, then they’re not really a counselor), but rather help you set up a payment plan, budget your money, and teach you about the different options you have.
6. Don’t fall for foreclosure scams. There are literally thousands of people who are ready to take advantage of your position. Don’t fall for it. Whatever you do, don’t sign your property over to a third party. Take your time, shop around for a reputable company, and make the best decision for you.
Good luck, and remember, no matter how things end up, you can always start with a clean slate in a few years.
Are you in financial trouble and looking for the best advice? We’re here to provide free, high-quality information to you. Don’t make any deals with your debt collection agency until you’ve educated yourself. We will show you how to find the best debt payment plan for you.
categories: debt relief,debt management,debt collector,bankruptcy alternative,creditors,debt payment plan,debt,foreclosure,credit card,mortgage,student loan,money,finance,business
Leave a Reply