Foreclosure Prevention
The Foreclosure Prevention Division is active in education and reform at all levels to promote continuing home ownership by medium and low income families. The St. Ambrose Foreclosure Prevention Division assists families in danger of losing their homes. Our experienced, dedicated counselors and attorneys help clients who are behind, or in danger of falling behind, on mortgage payments.
Our counselors and attorneys also work to identify and report predatory activities such as "flipping," unfair mortgages, and offers to buy a home with cash for far less than it is worth. Attorneys provide direct legal representation to clients who are victimized by fraudulent refinancing or home improvement scams, as well as those with other home ownership problems.
We also provide counseling for seniors seeking an FHA insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). Learn more about HECMs at HUD's Website.
Mortgage Late? Don't Wait!
If you may be facing foreclosure, it is important to act quickly and to be aware of your rights as a property owner:
- Take these steps to avoid foreclosure.
- Review the timeline for foreclosure proceedings in Maryland that must be followed by all lenders.
- Learn about typical loss mitigation options.
- Find out more about how to avoid foreclosure at HUD's Website.
- To be connected to counseling agencies in Maryland, visit www.mdhope.org or call 1-877-472-6555.
- If you feel that you have been a victim of a foreclosure rescue scam, file a complaint with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
- Contact the Baltimore Cash Campaign for free tax advice and information on the tax consequences of foreclosure, short sale, and deed in lieu of foreclosure transactions.
- If you are a member of the armed forces you may have additional rights under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act.
Getting Help
St. Ambrose offers online resources about your rights as a homeowner and steps you can take to avoid foreclosure. If you are facing foreclosure, it is imperative that you receive counseling from some source, and if you'd like to take advantage of the free services offered at St. Ambrose you are invited to contact us by phone at 410-366-8550 x201.
Counselors will arrange a personal counseling session with the client upon contact with St. Ambrose. You may want to complete our intake packet before your first session. In a typical session, a counselor helps the client create a detailed family budget and discusses available options to avoid foreclosure or minimize losses associated with foreclosure. St. Ambrose also offers a comprehensive resource guide in the event that moving becomes necessary.
Regardless of the outcome, our counselors and attorneys are there to be a guide and advocate for the client every step of the way.
St. Ambrose is a HUD-approved counseling agency and charges no fees for its services.