Sep
3


New Foreclosure Rules In Washington Assist Homeowners

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The predominant method to foreclose a residential property in Washington is through a non-judicial foreclosure proceeding. The law has been in effect for many years with relatively few major changes overall.  However, in its last session, the Legislature in Washington added a whole new section to the statute that changes the method of foreclosure dramatically for certain homeowners.

Lenders are now required to provide credit counseling to certain homeowners


The new statute is effective July 26, 2009.  We expect that many lenders nationally may not even be aware of this change in the State of Washington.  Not all borrowers are affected.  Not all loans are impacted. Owners of owner-occupied residential real estate, as defined in the Act, who have a Deed of Trust on their property that was recorded from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2007 are impacted.  This is the group of owner-occupied property owners that are protected by this new change to the statute.

Lender must communicate with borrowers before even starting foreclosure


Before the lender can start foreclosure with a Notice of Default, they must (in the case of certain borrowers specified above) wait until thirty (30) days have passed after an initial contact with the borrower is made under a very precise and detailed methodology that is prescribed by the statute. Under the Act, the lender or authorized agent must contact the borrower by letter and by telephone in order to access the borrower's financial ability to pay the debt due the lender that is secured by a Deed of Trust on Washington owner-occupied property.  Keep in mind, again, that only affects loans made between January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2007.

Lender's first contact with borrowers


During the initial contact the lender representative shall advise the borrowers of their right to have a second meeting.  All meetings may occur telephonically and may be conducted by the loss mitigation personnel at the lender's place of business. The initial meeting provides an opportunity to assess the borrower's financial ability to repay the debt as well as a discussion with the borrower of financial options available to them.  If the borrower so chooses, they can move to the second meeting stage.  That is the homeowner's right under the statute.

Borrowers can control the extent of credit counseling accepted


The borrowers at that first meeting (typically telephonically) must be provided toll free numbers and information so that they may retain a "department certified housing counseling agency."  In addition, they must be provided information of how to contact the State Department of Financial Institutions as well as the statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referral. The second meeting, through the authorized representative, must occur within fourteen (14) days after the first contact.  The statute provides detailed methodologies that the lender must take to attempt to advise defaulting homeowners before starting foreclosure.  There is a tremendous burden placed on the lending institution.

Impacts on your practice


Lenders were probably not ready for the implementation of this statute.  Local governmental agencies are also not probably ready or able to handle the onslaught of additional borrower consultation responsibilities expected under this statute. In the short run, we believe that the statute will create an additional time period (added to an already extended time period because of high volume) before foreclosure proceedings are initiated in the State of Washington.  As time progresses, we expect lenders will initiate this credit counseling action much sooner as borrowers initially default.  However, for those in the midst of default now, this new statute provides probably more time for the borrower.

In turn, this new statute adds more valuable time for all Real Estate Professionals to work with your seller and find a buyer for the property in (most likely) a short sale transaction.


Comments


Micah - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 @ 7:54 AM
Keep posting more articles like this. Question, does a short sale offer delay the foreclosure process??






Comments subject to review.
Monday, December 25, 2023
Generational Housing Needs and Their Effect on the Market

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Keys to Help Buyers Compete in a Seller's Market

Sunday, October 22, 2023
10 Things Buyers Need to Know

Sunday, September 10, 2023
Five Common Mortgage Myths

Sunday, September 10, 2023
Women Consider Owning a Home to be a Vital Component of the American Dream

Saturday, August 26, 2023
The 8 Top Home-Selling Mistakes You Should Avoid

Monday, July 10, 2023
Fiscal Cliff Bill a Benefit for Homeowners

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
King County home prices resume their climb

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Should You Help Your Adult Kids Buy Their First Home?

Tuesday, May 30, 2023
4 Guidelines for Successful Negotiations

Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Economists Bullish on Housing Recovery

Sunday, March 1, 2020
What is moving housing upward?

Thursday, August 2, 2012
It's a great time to be a seller

Saturday, June 23, 2012
Are appraisers falling behind on home value increases?

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Is Now the Time to Invest in Rentals?

Thursday, May 24, 2012
5 Reasons Now is the Time to Buy

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Unique Housing Market

Thursday, May 3, 2012
Buying a home won’t get much cheaper

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
New Rules to Speed-up Short Sales

Thursday, April 5, 2012
Home Prices to Rise in 2013

Thursday, March 22, 2012
Buying Cheaper than Renting in 98 of Top 100 Major U.S. Markets

Sunday, March 11, 2012
Five Tax Breaks for Homeowners

Thursday, March 8, 2012
How the FHA Loan Plan Can Help You Refinance

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
When Freddie Mac Wins, Homeowners Lose

Estella said
"That is a beautiful shot with very good lighting ." about Women Consider Owning a Home to be a Vital Component of the American Dream
on Sunday, May 12, 2013 @ 9:57 AM

Chris White - Team Leader said
"Unfortunately you are not alone. It's more than an outcry. The powers that be really need to come down harder on Bofa than they already are. Working on these short sale for over 2 years now I've uncovered down right fraud happening on the lenders parts. If they cared more about moving this country forward than protecting their own wallets then they would cut the red tape and approve these short sales in a timely manner. Our team made the wise decision to get BofA loans which were FHA or Freddie Mac backed, approved prior to listing on the market. Then we can list the home as "Price Approved" and close in 30 days. In this instance BofA does a full appraisal, rather than an incompetent "Broker Price Opinion" (nothing against agents but they have no idea how to make adjustments on comparable homes) and then the bank issues an "Approval To Participate" letter which dictates what price we can go on the market and take anything north of 88%. I really do hope your situation improves. " about Congressional Bill to Speed Up Short Sales
on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 @ 9:15 AM

Lisa Zeiner said
"We made an offer 4 months ago to BofA, and have heard nothing. It was a cash offer which is better than the zero money they are collecting now. And since the people don't care they are trashing the place, by the time BofA gets around to it our offer will be gone as the place is a mess!! Septic issues now, garbage being dumnped. All of this could have been avoided if BofA really wanted to correct their cash flow problem and sell these properties in a timely manner. They cry about cash but then do nothing intelligent to fix the problem" about Congressional Bill to Speed Up Short Sales
on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 @ 9:06 AM

Jones Ramirez said
"Thank you for the work you have done into this post, it helps clear up a few questions I had." about How do appraiser’s determine a homes value?
on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 @ 10:07 PM

HollyRobsonf said
"Hey - I am certainly happy to find this. great job!" about Bank of America to Offer Principal Reduction to Underwater Borrowers
on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 @ 6:45 PM