Tag: High Interest

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure – Chapter 13 and Chapter 7



For most homeowners, bankruptcy is certainly not their first choice to save their home from foreclosure. This is for a very good reason, as the credit effects can be quite serious and its results are generally poor, at best. Many of those who file bankruptcy to get out of foreclosure find themselves right back in the foreclosure process within in months of entering bankruptcy. Putting off losing the home is obviously not the reason most homeowners file, as they will then be stuck with both a bankruptcy and a foreclosure on their credit.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

In any event, homeowners facing foreclosure can not include the house in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is only for unsecured debt, such as credit cards, store cards, personal loans, and the like. The mortgage is secured by the property, so it would not be dischargeable under Chapter 7. The clause in the mortgage paperwork that keeps it from being included in a Chapter 7 case is that it states the mortgage loan is secured by the underlying collateral, the property itself. Chapter 7 does not discharge secured debt, so this combination excludes the mortgage and this type of bankruptcy from having anything to do with each other.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy may, however, serve a purpose in freeing up income that the homeowners could use to keep on top of their mortgage payment. Keeping a roof on top of their heads is much more important than financing a new television or furniture, and credit card companies who are unwilling to work with homeowners in financial trouble will have to bear the costs of their poor lending decisions. Discharging most of these types of debts can significantly free up income, which can immediately be used to pay down the arrears on the mortgage or establish a repayment plan or other workout program. Homeowners with a debt-to-income ratio too high will not qualify for these bank workout programs, so discharging some of this high-interest, unsecured debt through Chapter 7 may be a reasonable path to getting the mortgage back on track.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Homeowners who want to file bankruptcy to stop foreclosure can include the house in a Chapter 13 filing, which is a reorganization of the debt with a payment plan mandated by the courts. But if the house is already too expensive, then agreeing to an expensive payment plan would not make a whole lot of sense. In Chapter 13, the mortgage payments might very well go up, because the homeowners have to pay the regular monthly mortgage, as well as a portion of the amount that they are in default. Falling behind on this type of bankruptcy almost always results in the house going back into foreclosure and sold at a county sheriff sale.

Especially if the homeowners fall behind on the Chapter 13 plan, they will be in serious danger of losing the home very quickly. Bankruptcy does not actually stop foreclosure — it only puts the process on hold and gives the owners protection under the courts to pay back what they have fallen behind. Thus, if the payments are not made as agreed, the bank will request that the courts lift the stay and allow them to proceed with the foreclosure process. And the lender will be able to proceed as if the bankruptcy never occurred, starting up right from where they left off. This can often result in a sheriff sale being scheduled very quickly, within a matter of weeks.

Filing bankruptcy to stop foreclosure is a decision that homeowners need to consider very carefully, and even potentially consult with a lawyer for approved legal advice. The only real way to get rid of the mortgage and no longer worry about the property is find some way to sell the house, give a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or have it be foreclosed on by the bank. The county sheriff sale will eliminate the mortgage liens and transfer ownership of the property. The homeowners will have to deal with a foreclosure on their credit for 7-10 years, though. There are no easy decisions during the foreclosure process, of course, but the possibility of facing foreclosure and bankruptcy on the same house should be avoided.


Answers to 5 Common Questions About Debt Consolidation

It happens to virtually everyone at some point in life. You find yourself over your head in debt. Perhaps you were laid off from your job or experienced a period of unemployment. Maybe you or someone in your family had a medical emergency and wiped out your savings. Or it could be that you have poor financial management skills and simply spent more than you could repay. Whatever the reason for your debt, the effect is the same: you most likely feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and endlessly worried. You don’t see a way out of the debt spiral and you don’t know where to turn. Perhaps you’ve heard about debt consolidation as a way of achieving debt relief, but you may not know much about it. Here, then, are answers to five common questions about debt consolidation.

1. What is debt consolidation? It’s easier to explain debt consolidation as it contrasts to the way you now manage your debt. Right now, most of the payments you make each month are probably going to pay down interest on credit cards and store cards. You may even be routinely paying exorbitant late fees, banking fees, and so forth. Before you know it, your money is gone but your debt isn’t. Essentially, debt consolidation serves to merge all of your various sources of debt into one single debt – and a single payment.

2. What are the Benefits of Debt Consolidation? There are several benefits to debt consolidation. Your multiple payments will be consolidated into a single monthly payment. In the process, the high interest charges you are paying can be reduced or eliminated, as can late charges and other fees. Best of all, your repayment plan allows you to find hope once again, and eventually enjoy the experience of debt-free living.

3. What Types of Debts Qualify for Consolidation? Many different types of debts qualify for consolidation, including credit card debt, store card debt, personal loan debt, utility bills, and so forth.

4. What if I Have Bad Credit? If you have bad credit, you’re not alone. Debt consolidation is available to people with poor credit histories. In fact, it’s designed to provide debt assistance to people with poor credit. Even if you have unpaid defaults, payment arrears, or have been rejected by a lender, you may still qualify for bad credit loans.

5. How Can I Begin the Process of Debt Consolidation? It’s actually very simple. You can begin by finding an online debt consolidation company that specializes in helping consumers with debt assistance or bad credit loans. After completing a confidential initial application, you will be contacted by a finance professional that will work with you to develop a reduced payment plan. He or she will also work with your creditors to reduce interest rates and eliminate penalties. The debt consultation should be free of charge. When you find yourself drowning in debt, it’s important to remember that there is hope. Many people have a difficult time facing their financial situations, and choose not to act. By opting for debt consolidation, you can make a plan, regain hope, and be well on your way to living debt-free.


Consolidate Credit Card Debt



There are millions of Americans that are drowning in credit card debt, barely keeping their heads above water. If you are one of them, you don’t have to be trapped in the endless cycle of minimum payments and high interest. Debt Consolidation could be a solution to the financial treadmill you’re on.

What is Debt Consolidation?

A debt consolidation loan pays off your credit card balances. You then repay your lender with one monthly payment instead of many small payments to the credit card issuers. Lender will often negotiate with your creditors to reduce your balances so that you don’t have to borrow as much money. And that’s even more debt that you won’t have!

There is a huge difference between paying your credit card minimums and paying on a loan consolidation. For instance, let’s assume you have ten thousand dollars in total credit card debt and you’re being charge 18% interest. If you make only the minimum payments each month, it will take you 38 years to pay off that debt and you’ll pay more than $14,000 in interest! By getting a debt consolidation loan at 10% interest that same $10,000 will be paid off in four years and you’ll pay interest of about $2,200. As you can see, taking action now can significantly impact your future financial health.

There are no surprises and relatively little stress when you have only one monthly payment to meet. It will be easier to control your budget, instead of your budget controlling you.

Request and Compare Free Online Quotes

If you decide that a consolidation loan is right for you the first thing you should do is get some online quotes. There’s no obligation to the quotes and lenders understand that consumers need to shop around for the best terms and interest rates. As with any product, the loan industry is highly competitive so if you get several quotes you may be surprised how much they differ. Online quotes are free so be sure to get as many as you can for comparison. When you finally select a lender with the terms and rates that best suit you, you’ll know that you have the very best deal possible. You’ll be on your way to financial freedom.

Where Can I Request Free Online Quotes?

There are hundreds of websites offering a free online debt consolidation quote to you. These sites will allow you to compare several major lenders side-by-side. Be sure to compare all aspects of your free online quotes, such as, the company’s reputation, success rate, loan terms, and interest rate.

Now that you are more familiar with how debt consolidation works and the importance of requesting free quotes, you probably want to see just how much you can save with a debt consolidation loan. A great place to learn more about debt consolidation, and get free quotes, is http://debtconsolidationsource.googlepages.com/, an excellent online resource with lots of valuable information on debt consolidation.


Debt Settlement Vs. Debt Consolidation



Debt settlement and debt consolidation both offer ways of reducing your debt. Debt settlement eliminates part of your loans, while debt consolidation reduces interest rates. Even though debt consolidation has the least impact on your credit score, there are cases when debt settlement is a better option.

Lower Debt

The goal of both debt settlement and debt consolidation is to lower your debt. Debt settlement companies negotiate with your creditors to sometimes reduce the amount of your loans. You will be charged a fee, and the debt reduction will remain on your credit score for seven years.

Debt settlement can reduce your debt 10% to 50%. To get the most out of the program, pay off the rest of your debt as soon as possible. Also, close accounts that you don’t plan on using to raise your credit score.

Debt consolidation pays off your high interest debts with a low interest loan. Home equity loans provide the lowest rates, but personal loans can also be used. With rates lower on your debt, you can pay off the principal sooner by making the same monthly payments.

Credit Score Implication

Reducing your loans through debt settlement is a serious mark to creditors. You credit score will drop, making you ineligible for conventional loans. But you can apply for subprime credit after a year. After a couple of years of good credit habits, you can then apply for lower rate conventional loans.

Taking out a loan to consolidate your debt will have a slight impact on your credit. Since your debt isn’t actually increasing, you will only be hit for opening another account. By closing your paid off accounts, you can partially offset the penalty. In a short period though, you will be in good credit standing if you follow best practices with your credit.

Financial Choices

No one financial choice fits everyone’s needs. While debt consolidation has the least affect on your credit report, additional loans may be too expensive. In extreme cases, debt settlement can help to avoid bankruptcy. Before deciding on an option, look at what companies are offering in terms of rates and fees. And if you need additional advice, talk to a credit counselor who can take a look at your finances and offer suggestions.


Debt Consolidation Plan – Map To Get Out Of Debt Maize

Debt consolidation plan refers to a sketch that you draw with the help of a company to get out of debt. No doubt, you need a plan to succeed in any kind of endeavor and attaining financial freedom is no exception to this fact. However, there are some finer points that you need to understand before availing opting for any debt consolidation program.

No Miracle Is Going To Take Place

First of all, you should be very clear about the fact that no plan is going to produce results in a miraculous manner. You know very well that debt takes you in its grip slowly and silently. You do not borrow so many different types of loans in a day alone. Entire process of getting into debt trap takes a long time and by the time you realize it becomes too late to manage the things on your own.

Similarly, getting out of debt is also a time consuming process. You need to be patient and consistent with your debt consolidation plan to get desired results. Borrowing a new larger loan with lower interest rate to pay off your current high interest debts is just one part of the story. You have to learn many other things also if you wish to get success in your endeavor.

Resist The Buying Temptation

To begin with, you have to get rid of all types of spending temptations. You should realize that everything is not going to finish if you do not purchase a particular attention grabbing thing. Think of buying anything only if you have enough money in your pocket. Yes, you have to learn to live with it. Otherwise, even the best plan will be unproductive for you.

Focus and commitment are essential to achieve preferred outcome from any debt consolidation plan. If you can do so, you will realize that you are getting rid of debts one after another and finally conquering this dangerous adversary to enjoy a debt free life.


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