Protect Yourself

• Never sign over the deed to your home as part of a foreclosure

avoidance transaction. A deed should be signed over only if

you intend to sell the home for a fair price.

• Contact the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions

(Resource Page) to determine if the company you are dealing

with is a licensed financial lender and, if so, whether the lender

has a disciplinary record.

• Consult an attorney, financial advisor, non-profit mortgage counseling

agency, HUD certified counselor or knowledgeable family

member before signing any “rescue” documents.

• Read every document carefully. Do not sign contracts or

documents that have blank spaces.

• Make the monthly mortgage payments directly to your original

lender. Do not allow another person to make payments on your

behalf.

• When behind in your mortgage payments, contact your lender

first. Often a payment plan can be worked out that allows you

to keep your home while working through financial problems.

Attention:  State laws can change frequently.  Make sure you check for updates with your state or professional legal counsel.