Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois
deed in lieu of foreclosure
My house is worth way less than my mortgage. I live in Princeton IL. Does my local bank have to accept the deed in lieu of foreclosure or can they refuse? Also, could the home equity loan be included?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: deed in lieu of foreclosure
They do not have to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The answer to the second part of your inquiry depends on whether your home equity loan is with the same bank.
Re: deed in lieu of foreclosure
The bank does not have to accept a deed in lieu, and if you have a second mortgage such as a home equity loan, and the equity loan is with a different lender, the holder of the first mortgage is unlikely to accept such a deed. It may be possible to work out a short sale or loan modification with the first lender and settle the equity loan for a small percentage of its value. For further information regarding Illinois mortgage law, please see:
http://home-mortgages.suite101.com/article.cfm/illinois_mortgage_foreclosure_law
and
http://home-mortgages.suite101.com/article.cfm/mortgage_loan_modification
Our firm is establishing a loan modification division, and you may feel free to contact us with your questions.
Good luck.