Suffolk County Bar Offers Foreclosure Advice

The foreclosure process begins with 90-100 days of delinquency on a mortgage, Tim Kennedy of Mortgage Concepts said. To understand this process some homeowners turn to attorneys to negotiate the terms. Attorneys, in cooperation with the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Nassau-Suffolk pro bono project, have volunteered to give free advice at several sessions.

Kennedy said foreclosures are often the result of a lack of communication. He said if homeowners know they cannot make payments, they should speak with their lenders to work out terms. He said working with the lender always makes the process easier, and sometimes avoids it all together. 

According to realtytrac.com, there are 37 foreclosures in Commack as of today. Some of the prosperities are vacant, undeveloped plots of land; others are developed plots with individual homes. Kennedy said that the mortgages currently being offered are more traditional – you must be able to fulfill strict bank requirements and show that you have documented income and credit. He said that while business for mortgage lenders has been down overall, these new loans contribute to a steady, strong system.

The Suffolk County Bar Association has created a program to help settle these foreclosures, with classes at Touro Law School several times a week. They can be reached at 631-234-5511, to confirm times and dates, Maria Dosso director of communication for Nassau-Suffolk Law Services said.  

Locally, residents can reach out to a variety of mortgage lenders, found here.