Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Cash-For-Keys Option in Foreclosure


Foreclosure isn’t an easy process for anyone involved, including the lender.  There is a mountain of paperwork involved and extensive legal fees—two things that are never very attractive prospects.  This is why some banks have developed protocol for making the process as painless as possible, and have implemented solutions like “Cash for keys” to get homeowners out of the house.
 
Cash for keys is exactly what is sounds like: homeowners will be given the offer of cash in exchange for agreement to vacate the home after a certain period of time.  Usually, these agreements include waivers that the homeowners will not vandalize the home or strip it for items to sell, and will leave the home in good, clean condition when they vacate.
 
The reason banks are not hesitant to offer cash for keys is because the foreclosure process is a time-consuming, costly enterprise.  If they can vacate the homeowner with his/her consent through a cash incentive, they will often jump at the chance.
 
Some of the expenses considered when a bank negotiates their cash for keys terms are:
  • A security deposit and first / last month's rent for a new home
  • The cost of hiring movers or securing a rental truck
  • Utility deposits
  • Temporary living quarters such as a motel
If you have been offered a cash-for-key option in the Miami area and are not sure if the offer is reasonable, you need the expertise of a debt relief attorney.  There may be other options available to you such as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy that will allow you to keep your home and not put your family through the difficult process of changing residences.   

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