 |
 |
 |
Sign up to join Economic Fairness Oregon |
|
|
|
Sign up to join Economic Fairness Oregon |
Who to Call for FREE Help with Foreclosures
HOUSING COUNSELORS: HUD certified housing counselors can help you talk to your lender, review your options and assist with your loan modification request. Here is a list of places to call for a FREE housing counselor near you.
- HOPE NOW offers support and guidance to distressed homeowners with the mission of keeping them in their homes: 1.888.995.HOPE or www.HopeNow.com.
- For information on housing counselors, health and social services in Oregon, call 2-1-1 or visit: http://ww w.211info.org/.
FILING COMPLAINTS AND KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS: If you feel your mortgage servicer has violated the law, contact the Oregon Department of Justice. You should also be aware of your rights as a homeowner.
- Saving Your Home from Foreclosure: Download document
- To file a complaint against your mortgage servicer, contact the attorney general’s office at 1.877.877.9392 or visit www.doj.state.or.us.
- Foreclosure on Real Property: http://www.osbar.org/public/legalinfo/1202_ForeclosureRealProperty.htm.
AG SETTLEMENT: For information on foreclosure-avoidance help available as a result of the recent 49-state AG settlement with the nation's top five servicers.
- For information on the settlement, visit nationalmortgagesettlement.com.
- If you want a loan modification or refinance under the national mortgage settlement, contact your servicer.
STRATEGIC DEFAULT: Many homeowners find that despite their best efforts, they are not able to find a way to work with their banks to stay in their homes. As a rule, Oregon is a non-deficiency state, which means that mortgage servicers cannot financially pursue homeowners who vacate their homes if they only have one mortgage on the property. However, there are some circumstances where a homeowner may be liable for the deficiency. It's always best to seek professional advice about your particular situation.
- James Hagerty and Nick Timraos, Wall Street Journal, December 17, 2009: “Debtor's Dilemma: Pay the Mortgage or Walk Away."
- Brent White, Underwater Home: What Should You Do if You Owe More on Your Home Than It's Worth? November, 2010. http://www.brentwhite.com. Purchase the book online here.
LEGAL HELP 
WITH FORECLOSURES: The help of an attorney during the foreclosure process can be invaluable and quite expensive. The resources below can help you find free and reduced-cost legal help in Oregon.
- For a referral to an attorney with foreclosure expertise near you, contact the Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service 503.684.3763 or toll-free in Oregon at 1.800.452.7636. Attorneys with this program will meet for an initial $35 consultation fee. Fees and costs after the initial consultation are worked out individually at market rates. http://www.osbar.org/public/ris/ris.html#referral
- On a limited basis, legal aid may be able to provide free legal assistance to qualifying homeowners whose incomes are within 125% of the federal poverty level. Go to www.lawhelp.org for a directory of programs near you.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS: There are several national programs that have been created to help homeowners save their homes from foreclosure.
- Due to its high unemployment rate, Oregon was selected as a "Hardest Hit" area and given federal funds to provide help to homeowners. Find out more about how to qualify for assistance by visiting the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative page http://www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org/.
- If you're under water on your home, you may be able to refinance through HARP. Visit http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/programs/lowe r -rates/Pages/harp.aspx for more information.
RENTERS: If you are facing eviction due to foreclosure you should know your rights. Under state and federal law there are rules to help you protect your deposit and ensure proper notice before eviction. Learn more about your rights as a tenant in foreclosure.
- Community Alliance of Tenants has a Renter’s Rights hotline: 503.288.0130 or www.OregonCAT.org.
- Oregon Law Help - www.oregonlawhelp.org.
- Tenants’ Rights in Foreclosure – Download PDF.
- File consumer complaints with Oregon Attorney General John Kroger: http://www.doj.state.or.us/help/explain_consumer_complaint.shtml
- Did you know Oregon has an entire agency dedicated to consumer issues? Visit the DCBS website for more information: http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/
- Get free professional tax preparation from CASH Oregon: http://www.cashoregon.org/
- The newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is dedicated to cracking down on predatory business practices from the federal level. Find a wide range of advice and links to more information here: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/the-bureau