Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania

How long will I have to vacate a property in Philadelphia, Pa after forclosure proceedings. I lived in my mother's home with her, and my two sons. My mother passed away a couple months ago. It was a reverse mortgage and I cannot afford to buy the house. I just received a letter stating that they are starting foreclosure proceedings if the loan is not satisfied by October 17, 2010.


Asked on 9/25/10, 3:10 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Cary Hall Law Offices of Cary B. Hall, L.L.C.

Probably several months.

Cary B. Hall, Esquire

Law Offices of Cary B. Hall, L.L.C.

121 East Chestnut Street, Suite 205

Souderton, PA 18964

T: (267) 663-9995

F: (215) 525-4364

[email protected]

http://www.carybhall.com

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Answered on 9/30/10, 5:19 pm
Miriam Jacobson Retired from practice of law

If you could qualify for a mortgage, you would be able to buy the house using your own new mortgage money.

The reverse mortgage company has to go through the foreclosure process, which in Philadelphia includes Mortgage Foreclosure Conciliation Hearings. When the foreclosure complaint is delivered or or sent to you, see if there is information in it about consulting with a housing counselor. If so, contact one of the HUD-approved housing counselors, who will help you evaluate your ability to avoid a foreclosure sale and stay in the house. DO NOT go to a counseling service that asks for any kind of fee or promises that it will save your house but needs signatures from you.

If the Conciliation process does not help you, the mortgage company will have to first get a foreclosure judgment, then an order for the house to go to sheriff's sale. After that, the buyer at sheriff's sale will have to go through an "ejectment" process, of which you must receive notice, and you will have to vacate only after there is a court-ordered ejectment.

If the foreclosure sale is inevitable, It may be possible for you and your housing counselor to negotiate a "cash for keys" agreement. With such an agreement, you agree to vacate the house by a certain date so that no one has to file the ejectment, and you will receive a cash amount if you do vacate as agreed. This would give you some money to pay a security deposit and moving expenses to a new living place.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

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Answered on 10/01/10, 9:36 am


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