What Is The Foreclosure Process In BC
If you live in BC, Canada, a foreclosure process is a legal action that a lender can take if a person or company who borrows money using a mortgage stops making payments on the mortgage, or violates any terms of the mortgage. For example, outstanding property tax or fire insurance policy that elapses.
How Does The Foreclosure Process Work In BC?
If you have missed or are late on payments, you do not automatically forfeit your home to a lender. Lenders don’t want to foreclose if they don’t have to because it is expensive and takes a lot of time.
In BC, a lender will probably not start the mortgage foreclosure process until 2 or 3 months after you stopped paying your mortgage. Normally, a lender will first send letters demanding payment.
All circumstances come up with why you fall behind with mortgage payments. If these are reasonable problems, try communicating with your lender and see if you can get on a plan to make up those missed payments over a short period.
The law tries to help you if you have a good chance of paying what you owe and if you try getting your finances in order. Only in the worst case may you lose your house and any equity you have built up in it.
At risk of foreclosure process in BC? Consult our mortgage brokers today and explore suitable mortgage options, like our no income mortgage or second mortgage.
What Happens If Your Lender In BC Starts The Foreclosure Process?
“Petition for foreclosure” is the lender giving notice to you and asking the court to help them recover the money they lent out to you.
What Should You Do If You Receive a Petition For Mortgage Foreclosure?
Obtain legal advice immediately, and if you want to protect yourself, take part in the court proceedings. You must file:
- Response to petition (supporting affidavits) within 21 days of getting a petition for foreclosure.
- File response to lender at the Court address shown on the petition.
- Deliver 2 copies of your response to the lender.
Once this is done, no one can take any steps in the foreclosure without notifying you first. After you file the response, you will get a document called a Notice of Hearing.
This tells you when the lender will ask the judge for the Order Nisi to start the foreclosure process.
You may also benefit from a mortgage foreclosure refinance process. Contact us to help you reinstate your foreclosure property with a home equity loan and stop your foreclosure process in BC.
What Happens At The Hearing?
- The Court will give the lender an Order Nisi – In most cases, it will also give you time to redeem the mortgage by paying the full amount you owe plus interest, costs, and taxes.
- Redemption period – Usually 6 months, but, in some cases, the lender will ask the Court for a shorter redemption period. They can make an order to sell your home at any time.
- Make a case for a longer redemption period – If you need more time, you can ask for an extension. If you ask for a long redemption period or an extension, the Court will want to know what you have done to pay off the mortgage and what chance you have of paying the mortgage or selling the house on your own, or through your own real estate agent.
The faster you act, the more options you will have available to you. Applying for a 2nd mortgage is generally more cost effective than refinancing your 1st. Stop the foreclosure process with the help of our team in BC in just 24 hours. Contact us now.
What Can You Do During The Redemption Period?
Paying Off The Lender That Is Foreclosing On Your Property
This can be accomplished by contacting a mortgage broker who specializes in foreclosure loans. This may be hard because most lenders look at your income to decide whether to give you a mortgage. And your income may be what stopped you from paying your current mortgage in the first place, which led to this situation.
There are private mortgage lenders in BC that could offer 1st or 2nd mortgages to stop the foreclosure processes.
Sell The House Using Your Own Real Estate Agent
You can try to sell the house, preferably using your own real estate agent in British Columbia. Invite several experienced real estate salespeople who do business in your area to look through your house and tell you what they think it would sell for. Be honest with them about your situation.
Then choose the Realtor you trust the most or feel most comfortable with. If you sell the house, you can use the money from the sale, first to pay any property tax you owe, and then to pay the mortgage and other charges registered against the title, including Court costs.
If there’s any money left over (equity), you keep it. But if the money from selling your house doesn’t fully pay off all of the lenders, you may have to pay them the difference.
Meanwhile, if the lender or anyone else with a charge against your house gets an offer to buy your house, they can apply to Court for an order authorizing that sale.
Facing the mortgage foreclosure process in BC? Contact us today to take immediate action and save your foreclosure property. Our experienced mortgage brokers can help you get a mortgage for foreclosure fast!
What If You Have No Equity In Your Home?
If you owe more than you can sell the house for, you will probably want to get out of the situation with as little expense and trouble as possible. Do not ignore the problem! Working with your lender can minimize the costs by agreeing to the foreclosure. If any other people or companies with debts registered against your house are not paid from the money from selling your house in the foreclosure, you will still have to deal with them. Otherwise, they can sue you for any money you still owe them.
The Lender Can Apply To Court For An Order Absolute
The final order for mortgage foreclosure is called an Order Absolute. This comes after the redemption period ends and you have done nothing to redeem the equity in your property.
When the Court grants an Order Absolute, the house then belongs to the lender, and you have to leave the property. You will lose all rights to the house, but you will owe the lender no money. If any debts against your house are still registered after the mortgage, you’ll still owe the money to those charge holders.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you are at risk of the foreclosure process in BC, reach out to our expert mortgage brokers now.
If The Lender Gets An Order Absolute
If the lender gets an Order Absolute and the title into their name, you can make no claim to the home. The new homeowner can sell the house, but you would not be responsible for any losses incurred to the new homeowner.
Lenders do not usually ask the Court for an Order Absolute. In most cases, they will usually sue you when they start to foreclose and ask the Court for an order to sell your house to pay off the loan. If the money from selling your home doesn’t completely pay off the mortgage loan, the lender can try to collect the difference from you.
We specialise in mortgage foreclosure solutions and can guide you through securing a second mortgage or refinancing options to safeguard your foreclosure property. Contact us immediately to discuss your options.
What Happens If You Have a Second Mortgage Or Other Charges Registered Against Your House?
Any mortgages or charges registered before the lender’s mortgage continue and are still valid. But any that is registered after the lender’s mortgage is cancelled will cause the holders of those charges to lose their security.
For example, if you have two mortgages on your house, and the first lender forecloses, the second lender will have to pay off the first lender or lose its security. Then the second lender would have to try to get you to pay its loss.
This information should not be relied on as legal advice. It is provided for informational purposes, and one should always obtain legal advice when facing a legal action like foreclosure.
Need help refinancing a foreclosure process in BC? Please call or text your BC Mortgage Broker Today!
778-839-3963
Jeff Di Lorenzo
The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.
FAQs
What triggers a mortgage lender to start foreclosure proceedings?
A mortgage lender typically initiates mortgage foreclosure proceedings when a borrower defaults on their mortgage obligations, usually after several missed mortgage payments.
How long after a missed mortgage payment does the foreclosure process begin?
In BC, lenders usually don’t start the foreclosure process until 2 or 3 months after you’ve stopped making monthly mortgage payments.
Can I stop the foreclosure process in BC if I catch up on missed payments?
Yes, if you can bring your mortgage back into good standing by paying the outstanding loan amount and associated costs, you may be able to stop the foreclosure process in BC.
What is a “petition for foreclosure”?
A mortgage foreclosure petition is a legal document filed by the lender in the Supreme Court, giving notice to the borrower and asking the court to help recover the mortgage debt.
How long do I have to respond to a mortgage foreclosure petition?
You have 21 days from receiving the petition to file a response and supporting affidavits with the court.
What is the redemption period in a mortgage foreclosure process BC?
The redemption period is usually 6 months, during which you can pay off the mortgage debt to reclaim your property. However, this time period can vary based on court approval.
Can I sell my property during the mortgage foreclosure process in BC?
Yes, you can try to sell the property using your own real estate agents during the redemption period. This can help pay off the mortgage debt and potentially retain any surplus funds.
What happens if the property value is less than the mortgage debt?
If the property sells for less than the outstanding loan, you may still be responsible for the remaining debt. The lender might pursue a deficiency judgment for the difference.
Is bankruptcy an option to avoid foreclosure?
Bankruptcy can be an option, but it’s best to consult a licensed insolvency trustee to understand if it’s in your best interest. Other alternatives like a consumer proposal might be more suitable.
Can the bank evict me immediately after getting an Order Absolute?
Once the court grants an Order Absolute, you lose all rights to the property and may need to vacate. However, the exact timeline can vary, and you may receive an eviction notice with a certain date to leave.
Are there alternatives to foreclosure if I’m struggling with monthly payments?
Yes, options may include refinancing, negotiating with your lender for a modified payment plan, or considering a second mortgage. It’s best to speak with your mortgage broker about these possibilities.
What happens to other debts registered against my property in BC during the foreclosure process?
Debts registered before the foreclosing mortgage remain valid, while those registered after may be cancelled, potentially leaving you still owing those creditors.
Can I attend the court hearing for my foreclosure case?
Yes, you can and should attend the court hearing. This gives you an opportunity to present your case and potentially negotiate for more time or alternative arrangements.
How can a mortgage broker help if I’m facing foreclosure?
Facing foreclosure can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. A trusted mortgage broker can assist you in exploring refinancing options, negotiating with lenders, and finding alternative lending solutions to help you avoid foreclosure and keep your home.
Don’t wait—Contact us today to discuss how we can help you navigate this challenging situation and secure your financial future! Call or text 778-839-3963 and we’ll get back to you in no time.
