Foreclosure Prevention
St. Ambrose Counselors and Attorneys in the Foreclosure Prevention Division assist families in danger of losing their homes. The staff helps clients who are behind, or in danger of falling behind, on mortgage payments, as well as those looking to refinance their homes for any number of reasons.
In a typical session, a Counselor helps the client create a detailed family budget and discusses available options to avoid foreclosure. In many circumstances, the Counselor negotiates with the lender for a reasonable repayment plan or helps the client apply for another work out plan with the lender.
If a client wants to refinance the family home, an Attorney reviews the loan application, refinance documents and good faith estimates.
If the loan is approved, an attorney may attend the settlement to be sure the client receives the loan expected. St. Ambrose Attorneys work closely with the Pre-Purchase Division and also review documents for homebuyers and attend home purchase settlements.
Together, Counselors and Attorneys identify victims of predatory activities and report cases to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When possible, staff helps a client who has been a victim of predatory activities to seek financial relief. Predators include unscrupulous investors who buy dilapidated houses, provide cosmetic repairs, and resell the property at inflated prices, or mortgage brokers who offer loans with unfair terms, or companies that offer to buy family homes for cash and pay far less than the house 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.
The Foreclosure Prevention Division is active in education and reform at all levels to promote continuing home ownership by medium and low income families.
St. Ambrose is a HUD-approved counseling agency. Click here to go to HUD’s homepage or here to read more information about how to avoid foreclosure.
To contact us for help, call 410-366-8550, extension 201.
Partnership with 311
St. Ambrose has established a partnership with Baltimore City's 311 call center through NeighborWorks America. Baltimore home owners facing foreclosure can call 311, where operators will direct them to St. Ambrose counselors, as part of an initative modeled on a successful Chicago program. The "Every Minute Counts" program encourages at-risk homeowners to get help early to avoid foreclosure.
