Foreclosure happens when you can’t keep up with your mortgage payments and have no way to catch up. Since your mortgage is a legal agreement with your lender, missing too many payments gives them the right to take back your home and sell it to recover their money. This not only leaves you without a place to live but also hurts your credit, making it harder to get a loan in the future.
No one wants to receive a notice of foreclosure and yet, in a nationwide study, nearly 1 million Americans were afraid of losing their homes (U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, fielded from July 27 to Aug. 8, 2022). Foreclosure can occur from a number of reasons, including:
- Job loss and loss of income
- Divorce or death of a spouse or partner
- Mounting debt, including medical and credit cards
- Moving without being able to sell the home
- Natural disaster
JTM Real Estate LLC is a local business in KY that buys distressed homes and properties for cash. They make selling easy by offering competitive cash offers without the stress of dealing with agents, banks, or title companies—just a simple, hassle-free process!
What is Foreclosure?
Picture this—you or your spouse suddenly lose your job. The bills keep piling up, but without your usual income, covering everyday expenses like groceries, utilities, and car payments becomes a struggle. On top of that, your mortgage payment is due, and you just don’t have the money to cover it. Even if you find another job, the debt that’s built up in the meantime might be too much to catch up on. When that happens, the bank starts the foreclosure process, which could mean losing your home. It’s a stressful and overwhelming situation, and unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves in this exact position with few options to turn things around.
How Long Do You Have To Get Out of Your House After Foreclosure?
The foreclosure process typically follows five main steps: missed payments, public notice, foreclosure, auction, and eviction. However, the timeline for each step varies by state. Depending on where you live, foreclosure could take anywhere from 120 days to nine months, depending on whether it’s a judicial or non-judicial process. During this time, your lender will try to contact you through phone calls, mail, and email to inform you about the process and any possible options you may have.
The Different Types of Foreclosure
There are two different types of foreclosure you may experience: nonjudicial foreclosure or judicial foreclosure.
What Is Non-Judicial Foreclosure?
A non-judicial foreclosure is the fastest and cheapest way for a lender to take back your KY property. It skips the court process and follows state laws to get the job done. If your mortgage has a “power-of-sale” clause in the deed of trust, the lender can repossess and sell your home to recover the money you owe. Not every state allows non-judicial foreclosures, but if yours does, the lender will usually go this route to avoid the extra costs and time involved in going to court.
What Is Judicial Foreclosure?
In states where judicial foreclosure is required, the lender has to take you to court to get permission to sell your home. They’ll send you a notice about this, and whether you agree with it or not, you need to respond. If you don’t, the court will side with the lender, and your home will be put up for auction. Even after the sale, you might still owe the difference between what’s left on your mortgage and what the house actually sold for.
The thing about auctions is that they’re not like regular home sales, and the house usually doesn’t sell for market value. So, even if your home is worth more than your mortgage, you could still end up owing tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars for a property you no longer own. This is called a deficiency judgment. It’s a costly, time-consuming process for lenders, which is why most of them prefer non-judicial foreclosures.
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How to Sell Your House Before Foreclosure in KY
Let’s break down a few ways you can sell your house, depending on your time frame and situation:

Hire A Real Estate Agent
When most people think about selling their house, the first thing they do is call a real estate agent. While a good agent can help you list your home, host open houses, and find buyers, it might not be the best option if you’re dealing with foreclosure. That’s because, at the end of the sale, a large chunk of the money goes to the agent’s commission, usually between 3% and 6%. If you’re already struggling with debt, losing that much from the sale can be a hard hit when you need every penny to pay back your lender.
On top of that, there’s the uncertainty of when the sale will actually close. Even the best agents can’t guarantee how long it will take to find the right buyer, and the closing process typically takes 30 days or more. For homeowners facing auction and eviction, waiting that long could feel like an eternity.

Short Sale
If you owe more on your house than it’s worth, you might need to do something called a short sale. This happens when you owe more on your mortgage than the property’s current market value. For example, if you owe $200,000 but your house is only worth $150,000, a short sale becomes necessary. While it might sound like a good option, it’s not a quick fix and definitely not easy.
First, you’ll need your lender’s approval. To qualify for a short sale, you’ll need to show proof of financial hardship, like pay stubs, medical bills, or anything else that demonstrates your situation. If you’ve lost your job or had a reduction in income, your lender will want to see that this change is long-term and unlikely to improve. Once your lender agrees to the short sale, you’ll have to hire a real estate agent and an attorney who specialize in short sales. And, unfortunately, they’ll still charge you the same fees as they would for a regular sale.
If your foreclosure hasn’t dragged on too long and you’ve been in touch with your lender, there’s a good chance they’ll approve the short sale. It helps them avoid the time and cost of a full foreclosure, while still recovering some of the missed payments. However, a short sale can seriously hurt your credit, just like bankruptcy would. The short sale will show up on your credit report for 5 to 7 years, making it really tough to get a credit card, buy a car, or even move into a new home during that time.

Sell Your House AS-IS to A Cash Buyer
If you’re running out of time to sell your house before foreclosure moves to auction and eviction, you’ve got a few options. You can list your home with a real estate agent, work with your lender on a short sale, or even better, reach out to a trusted cash investor to help you out.
Selling to a direct cash investor has some big advantages:
- A fast and simple closing process.
- No commissions or fees to worry about.
- No need to market your home or wait around for a buyer.
- You don’t have to deal with repairs or cleaning up!
By selling your home as-is to a cash buyer, you can avoid foreclosure and possibly even sell for enough to pay off your debt. Starting fresh without the burden of a mortgage or mounting debt can be one of the best things you do for yourself!
Can You Stop Foreclosure Once it Starts?
Pay Off Your Loan & Fees
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, with debt building up and your finances stuck in the same place. It’s time to get serious about finding ways to pay that debt down quickly. Do you have anything you could sell to raise some cash? Maybe a friend or family member can lend or gift you some money to help you out for a while. If you’re really committed to getting your debt under control and stopping foreclosure, working with a financial expert could be a game-changer. They can help you restructure your budget and figure out the best way forward. Whether you try one of these options or combine them all, it’s about taking control and finding a way to lift that weight off your shoulders.
Declare Bankruptcy
As a last resort, bankruptcy might help you stop foreclosure, but it’s not without its drawbacks. The process is pretty complicated, and you’ll need a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy. If the court approves your petition, you’ll have to go through a government-approved credit counseling program, and the bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7 years. It can affect many parts of your life—like making it harder to buy a car, get a credit card, or even qualify for rental properties. Bankruptcy can offer relief in tough situations, but it’s definitely a decision you’ll want to think through carefully.
The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP)
If your debt is outweighing your income, you might qualify for the Homeowner Affordability & Stability Plan (HASP). This program is designed to help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure due to a tight budget. It can help you modify your loan to make your monthly payments more manageable. You can apply for the program here to find out if you’re eligible and get some relief from the financial strain.
Related Articles
5 Ways the Foreclosure of Your Kentucky House Will Impact You in the Future
What Homeowners in Kentucky Can Expect During the Foreclosure Process
The Difference Between Pre-Foreclosure and Foreclosure for Homeowners in Kentucky
How to Sell Your House During Bankruptcy in Kentucky
Stopping the Foreclosure Process: A Guide for Kentucky Homeowners
What Rising Foreclosure Rates Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers in Kentucky
Avoiding Foreclosure: How Kentucky Direct Property Buyers Can Help You Keep Your Credit Score Intact
How to Sell Your House in Kentucky if You Owe More Than It’s Worth
4 Things to do if You Are Upside-Down on Your Mortgage in Kentucky
Traditional Sales vs. Short Sales And Foreclosures in Kentucky
Sell Your House Fast to a Cash Buyer
Ready to sell your house but don’t want to deal with the months-long wait for a traditional closing? Or maybe the idea of a short sale feels like it’ll only make your credit situation worse? Perhaps you just want to pay off your debt all at once and get the bank off your back without the stress of the lengthy process that comes with foreclosure. If any of this sounds familiar, a direct home buyer and cash investor could be exactly what you need!
When you partner with a trusted, reliable investor who has a solid reputation in your area, you’ll find a company ready and willing to buy your home as-is—no repairs, no cleaning, no showings. With a cash buyer, you can skip the long foreclosure process, avoid eviction, and sidestep the auction altogether, all within a matter of days. Not only does this save you time and stress, but it also gives you the chance to protect your credit and move forward without all the financial baggage. It’s a fast, straightforward solution that can help you get back on your feet quickly and with less hassle.
You might not get full market value for your home when you sell to a trusted cash investor, but the benefits of a fast closing, no fees, no inspections, and no commissions can make up for it in the long run. The best part is that an investor can close quickly, often before the bank has a chance to auction off your property. This means you can sell your home for a price that works better for you, rather than the low price the bank might try to sell it for just to get it off their books. It’s a win for you in both time and money!
We Buy Houses in Foreclosure & Pre-foreclosure–
Get Your Offer Today!
Does the idea of finally walking away from a property without the storm cloud of foreclosure hanging over your head? Contact a real professional at JTM Real Estate LLC to find out more and get a fair cash offer for your property today.