Foreclosure fraud is a kind of fraud that takes advantage of those in danger of undergoing foreclosure. If you have fallen behind on your loan payments, there are legitimate options for help. However, you must be wary when determining the best options for you, because a foreclosure scam can be devastating, especially when you’re already having money problems.

Kinds of Foreclosure Fraud

            Foreclosure fraud can come in many different forms. Some of the most common kinds of foreclosure fraud include promises of modifying a mortgage to make it more affordable. These can occur in multiple ways.

            Some scammers may offer a modification of the mortgage for an upfront fee. After receiving this fee, they will disappear. The home is often foreclosed on because the individual does not have the funds to continue mortgage payments after they’ve paid the lump sum to the scammer.

            There are also “balloon payments,” where a lender offers to significantly lower the monthly mortgage payment. This works because the individual is only paying the interest on the mortgage. The lender then demands the complete amount of the loan in one balloon payment. The buyer will most likely be unable to pay this payment.

How to Protect Yourself From Foreclosure Fraud

            It is important to be wary of anything concerning foreclosure. Only use reliable sources and companies for refinancing and money managing options. Make sure that you read any contracts thoroughly before you sign them. If you don’t understand something in the contract, ask about it. It may also be helpful to have a lawyer review any contracts. Keep in mind that if an option seems too good to be true, it probably is.

            Foreclosure fraud can be downright devastating to your bottom line. Take necessary precautions to prevent foreclosure fraud from affecting you. To learn more about preventing foreclosure fraud, contact us at LeBaron & Jensen today!

            A lease is a legally binding contract that requires the individual to remain living in the property for a certain length of time. There are several reasons someone may want to break their rental lease. Unexpected job transfers, break-ups, unsafe conditions, or other issues can all provide reasons to break a lease. It is important to examine a contract thoroughly prior to signing, to ensure that you understand all of the requirements and limitations.

Legal Reasons

            The acceptable reasons to break a lease vary between states and contracts. Here are a few of the reasons an individual might be allowed to terminate a lease early. If the tenant is an active member of the military and receives a change of station notice, they are able to terminate their contract early without consequences.

            In many cases, victims of domestic violence will be allowed to break a lease early. The violence usually has to have occurred in the last 3 to 6 months. The applicable laws vary between states, so you may want to consult with an experienced attorney prior to breaking a lease.

            If the rental is illegal, the landlord breaks the terms of the lease, or the landlord fails to keep the property habitable, the tenant may be able to terminate the lease early. These can include the landlord repeatedly entering the premises without notice or failing to keep the water running.

Consequences

            If you don’t have one of the legal reasons to break a lease early, you may want to break the lease anyways. This can have some significant consequences in the long term. Breaking a lease early can result in significant early termination fees. The landlord may require you to continue paying the rent until they find another tenant.

            Early termination of a lease can impact your credit. It can be passed as a judgement in a civil court and show up on your credit report. There are alternatives to breaking a lease. You may be able to sublet the property, if that is allowed in your contract.

            If you have reason to break a lease early and are unsure if you are able to, contact us at LeBaron & Jensen today!

            Ejectments and evictions are legal actions that are used in separate circumstances. Both actions are intended to legally remove occupants from a property. The trials for each type of legal action take place in different courts. Eviction cases are held in a landlord-tenant court, while ejectment cases are usually held in a circuit court.

Eviction

            To pursue an eviction case, the individuals must have a tenant-landlord relationship. This can usually be proven through the written rental contract. If the occupant has paid rent to the landlord, they are considered a tenant of the property. The eviction process takes place in a landlord-tenant court, which is why the tenant-landlord relationship is vital.

Ejectment

            Ejectments occur when there is not an existing landlord-tenant relationship. These occur when the owner wants to remove an occupant from their property. This may include a guest who has overstayed their welcome and is typically characterized by an occupant that has never paid rent but refuses to leave. Ejectments tend to be easier to prove, unless the occupant can prove that they have ownership in the property.

            Ejectments and evictions are separate processes that are often used to produce the same results, but they are used in different circumstances. To determine the proper course of action for your situation, you may want to consider contacting an experienced attorney. To obtain superior legal guidance, contact us at LeBaron & Jensen today!