Facing unemployment & foreclosure
Date: Mon, 05/28/2012 - 10:57
I've been in my house for 20 years. My ex and I refinanced a few times during our marriage extending the length of the loan. 12 years ago we filed bankruptcy & divorced shortly after. I got the house and have struggled to make the payments ever since - $835 per month. Several times, due to lack of child-support and job loss, I've had to do a loan modification to avoid foreclosure. We purchased the house for 100K, the principal is now 88K & I still owe for another 25 years - I'll be 75 before it???s paid off. As of now we have paid over $200K in interest ??? paying another 25 years means paying another $200K in interest. If I lose the house renting a place will be just as much - so pretty much no matter what, paying my mortgage or rent is a huge financial burden - especially when unemployed.
Once I???m laid off I???m considering cashing in my 401K (55K) & purchasing a ???short sale??? house similar to mine a few blocks away for 45K and walking away from my mortgage. My credit is already shot, so no loss there, and no mortgage payments means I can live on unemployment without any worries of losing my house. Once I find a job I can rebuild my 401K with money that would otherwise go towards a mortgage or rent payment, as well as have money on hand for emergencies. Should I ever need credit down the road for major home repairs, I now own my home outright, which I would think might make getting a home equity loan a little more feasible despite bad credit.
But - - are there any other things I might be able to do to keep my current home? I???ve read a little about ???cash in??? refinancing and also negotiating a lower principal balance. Considering my circumstances and the possibility of facing foreclosure, would I have any luck getting them to reduce the principal balance and then use my 401K money to do a cash in re financing (if that???s the proper term)? Is there anything else I might try or consider?
I am not adequately equipped to answer your query in detail but
I am not adequately equipped to answer your query in detail but what I can tell from my own experience is this: Cashing in your 401(k) at 50 years of age does not sound like a good idea. Assuming that you would find a job straightaway, you will have another 10-12 years on the job. I don't think you can rebuild your 401(k) just as well.
Other than that, getting a HELOC with a poor credit score would be pretty tough. The bank is really not interested in claiming your house. They would rather have you pay them off than anything else.
I hope another forum member will come along and advise you on the rest of your queries.
Cashing out your 401k would come with penalties and tax implicat
Cashing out your 401k would come with penalties and tax implications.
Buying a house short sale might sound like a good thing but how are you going to afford taxes and insurance and the utilities? Ever thought about getting a room mate to help pay the mortgage where you are now???
I'm aware of the taxes & penalties and am prepared to deal with
I'm aware of the taxes & penalties and am prepared to deal with them.
A roommate is not an option - I still have kids that live with me, one is going to college next fall, and my son comes to stay every Wed & every other weekend when he has his daughter.
A little under $400 per week in take home pay is all I would need to cover all my living expenses if I did not have a mortgage - that includes all utilities, food, gas for my car, my car payment and putting money aside each month to pay property taxes & homeowners insurance. The short sale accommodates this income.
Not acting on this opportunity means I will very likely lose my house and then I will wind up paying even more money for a place to live as rentals near me are typically $1,000 per month - I'll then be paying rent to someone for the rest of my life.
Do you have any equity in the house you are in?? Cashing out
Do you have any equity in the house you are in??
Cashing out your 401k ...will that be enough considering they will hold at least 20% for taxes and penalties.