Are You Behind on Your Mortgage?
Information on your right to mediation before the bank can foreclose on your home. Archived on recommendation of Jennifer Lavallee
Avoiding Predatory Lenders
Comprehensive information about predatory loans, including signs of predatory lending.
Consumer Information on Homes & Mortgages from the Federal Trade Commission
This web site contains documents relating to: (1) home equity loans, home equity credit lines and common home equity scams, (2) high rate, high fee mortgages, (3) reverse mortgages, and (4) mortgage discrimination. You may view the documents on-line and print them out or print them in PDF format.
Foreclosure Prevention Resources
This website provides links to resources about how to avoid foreclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Home Foreclosure
This FAQ provides general information about how a D.C. resident’s bankruptcy filing affects the foreclosure of homes in the District of Columbia. This FAQ does not apply to rental or investment properties or to any home that is not used as the bankruptcy filer’s primary residence.
HomeSaver —Tax Lien Extinguishment Program Fact Sheet
Information regarding one-time assistance to eligible DC homeowners at risk of foreclosure or tax sale due to delinquent real property taxes.
How to File a Housing Discrimination Complaint with HUD
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
Look Out for Foreclosure Rescue Scams!
If you're trying to save your home from foreclosure, here are some tips about how to avoid being scammed.
Reverse Mortgages
A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. With a reverse mortgage, you can turn the value of your home into cash and not have to make monthly repayments. The total loan must be paid back when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Reverse mortgages are quite a bit different from other types of debt. These loans can be complicated, and you have a lot at stake. So be sure to investigate reverse mortgages carefully before deciding if one makes sense for you.
The Law and Your Home
Information about laws related to home repair and remodeling, including how to choose a contractor and what to do if the contract is violated.
Understanding the Foreclosure Process in DC
Facing foreclosure? Here's a step-by-step guide on what to expect next and what you can do.
What can tenants do if their building was sold?
This is a letter that you can send to the new owner of the property or the new owner's lawyer. In the District of Columbia, a property owner cannot evict a tenant just because the property was sold at foreclosure. (This is a letter for tenants only. It does not apply to former owners.)