cajun_duck Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 My wife and I inherited her grandparents house. Well, we live in it and we are remodeling it. She grew up in this house and wants to stay. I like it as well. Anyway, on to my question. We both have bad credit and we are starting to repair it. The house is under our name now legally. Her grandpartents had a home equity loan when they passed, so have we been correct in continuing to pay it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denita Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Yes, because if you don't continue to pay it the lender will foreclose on it.Even though the HELOC is under her grandparents name, the lien for it (mortgage) is on the property. If the payments stop, then the lender will foreclose.Do you have a copy of the note and mortgage? If not, make sure to find one so you have an accurate idea of what your obligations are for the property. Congratulations on your good fortune of being able to inherit a house you both love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted February 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Thank you, I was just making sure we were handling this correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stStep Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I'd spend a few bucks to get a title report just so you know what is going on with the property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oarman1954 Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 Yes, definitely keep making the payments. Then once it is paid off you will have the house free and clear. How wonderful for you both.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denita Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 I'd spend a few bucks to get a title report just so you know what is going on with the property.+1 Excellent point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadragon Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 as you inherited the loan you should find out all the things about it because they may try to add stuff later and then say you are late paying on it. Methuss has the best respa letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted March 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 So, I just basically copy and paste this and send it to the bank? Her aunt is the exacutrix of the estate. So, I would have to get her to ask for it. Can doing this actually hurt us in any way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadragon Posted March 15, 2012 Report Share Posted March 15, 2012 You may catch the mortgage company with incomplete records. This letter is important because how do you know it isn't already paid off and the mortgage company hasn't removed their lien.I think your aunt has standinging under RESPA to send this but If she has disbursed it to you, you may have to send it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted May 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Here is another question. Once I get my credit cleaned up we will want to get the loan in our name. But, how would that happen? Would we have to mortgage it ourselves? I would like to do it to where it may be similar to a second mortgage so we can get a new air conditioning unit for the house and it would greatly help with our remodeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denita Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Yes, if you are looking to get a mortgage on the house or another HELOC then you will have to qualify for it in your name. If you can, try to find another way to finance your a/c rather than encumbering the property with another mortgage lien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted May 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Yes, if you are looking to get a mortgage on the house or another HELOC then you will have to qualify for it in your name. If you can, try to find another way to finance your a/c rather than encumbering the property with another mortgage lien.The main reason we want to do it is because I was once told to always owe money on your home. If you do and you get in a wreck and you get sued for everything, since you owe money on it they cannot take your home away.The other reason is that the house needs much remodeling done to it. And the a/c would be considered one of these, wouldn't it? Especially if it comes with a lifetime unit replacement warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denita Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 What you are talking about is asset protection. There are better ways to protect your home then putting mortgage liens against your property. You might want to check out resources for asset protection. Or check with an attorney. You could put the house in a Trust and have better protection.As to getting funds to rehab the house for improvements, getting a mortgage or HELOC is one way to do it. However you are risking your home if you fail to pay the mortgage/HELOC; that is a large price to pay. One of the best things you can do, IMHO, is to own your own home free and clear of any mortgage or lien. This way you always have a roof over your head should times get rough. Besides, you save many thousands of dollars by not making a mortgage payment. BTW, be very, very careful of the a/c company that offers "lifetime replacement of the unit". Read the terms and conditions completely. What lifetime are the talking about? The lifetime of the unit? Or your lifetime? Usually there is an "out" for the company (many exclusions, not just one). What happens if the company goes out of business? Who pays for the replacement installation? I bet that the installation cost is higher on a replacement unit too. In short, these types of guarantees are normally just marketing promises. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. So many of these warranty's or guarantee's are sold by companies that just don't stay in business very long. On top of that the cost of the unit is much, much higher with the warranty (in effect you are paying for another unit up front and there is no guarantee that the co will honor the warranty). As you can see, I have seen a/c companies come and go as I'm in Florida. They will promise anything to get their hands on your money! Worse yet, if you allow them a lien on your house by borrowing from the a/c company you risk losing your house. I have seen this happen to others with solar hot water systems. Be very cautious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted May 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Ok, thanks. What is the best way to go then to "rehab" my home other than little by little out of my pocket? Doing it this way I am baically living paycheck to paycheck and then just. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun_duck Posted July 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torden Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Any ideas?This thread is in the mortgage forum. The standing advice is to keep paying the valid mortgage obligations first. Then spend whatever you want beyond that for upgrades and rehab. Other forums may be able to advise on any programs you and your wonderful home may qualify for to get rehab assistance. Expensive things, like a new electrical panel (if you need one) are best handled by saving up for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denita Posted July 12, 2012 Report Share Posted July 12, 2012 Agree with ^^^ post above.Another way to save up money, go to DaveRamsey.com and get some good budgeting and savings ideas.In the meantime, can you pick up a second job or do "side jobs" like babysitting or other income producing activities? Check around the house and see what you have that you can sell on Craigslist for extra cash. That way you are turning unused items into something you need for the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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