In our current economic times, many families are now faced with some very tough decisions. One scenario people are finding themselves in is to have to ask the worst question, “Should I pay my mortgage or eat this month?” Many families are on the brink of financial disaster and need to start devising a plan to see the light at the end of the tunnel per say. This can be a very embarrassing situation for most people whose first reaction may be to hide and try not to think about it. This is the wrong decision as easy as it often seems to be. In order to get yourself back on track, you need to evaluate why you’re in debt and devise different ways to get yourself out. If you can no longer afford your mortgage payments it may be time to refinance your interest rates. If you have the time, a great way to prepare to refinance your home is to immediately start repairing your credit. If you try to refinance your home a better credit score will qualify you for better interest rates. This in itself can save you hundreds of dollars on your current mortgage payment. If you can no longer afford your home it may be time to consider selling your home to avoid foreclosure. Foreclosure should always be your last option because it will ruin your credit score. A loan modification may possibly suite you best. A loan modification is where you modify the terms of your original loan agreement to an agreement that is more appealing to you. If you owe more money than your home is worth, a short sale may be in your best interest. A short sale is where you negotiate with your lender to let him or her allow you to sell your home for less than it’s worth so you can repay the lender what you owe them.
If your mortgage terms are not the reason why you’re behind on your payments, you need to evaluate why you can’t afford to pay all of your monthly bills. If you simply owe more money than you can repay to credit card and loan companies you should consider a debt settlement. A debt settlement is where you negotiate with your creditors to settle your debt for less than the amount you owe. Depending on the creditor and how late you are on the payments, it’s very possible to settle debts for as much as a 50% of your balance. Yet, another technique for battling debt is the process of debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is where you combine all your monthly payments into one low monthly payment. You can reduce your interest rates and pay one payment with one interest rate. This is a great method to start a payment plan to pay down your debts. Any of these above methods can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Choosing the right service that will benefit you best all depends on your unique situation. It is not recommended for a consumer to approach any of these methods alone, unless they have extensive knowledge about the program and field. These are complicated negotiations that involve large sums of money. Although you may pay a fee to a company that works for you, more often than not, you will be saving yourself thousands of more dollars by utilizing their expertise in the field.
As you can see there are many options still available to you if you’re facing foreclosure. The reason why there are so many programs out there is because there is a high demand for them. You are not alone and shouldn’t feel embarrassed about your debts. According to most statistics, if you’re in debt you’re actually part of the majority of Americans. The government has come to realize just how many Americans are in debt, and consequently, have implemented laws and acts to help consumers get back on track. Most people are victims of predatory lending or pushy salespeople convincing you to sign for something they know you can’t afford. Credit card companies purposely strategize ways to make more money off their customers, whether it be from late charges or unfair interest rates. The bottom line is that you’re in this situation; avoiding the situation will not help you get out. It’s not going to go away on its own, if you continue on your current path you WILL lose your home and ruin your credit score as a result of foreclosure. It’s time to become proactive and take advantage of the many services available that are designed to rid you of debt.
