What is a foreclosure?
When a borrower doesn’t perform their financial obligations, a lender may legally seize and sell a home or other property. This method is called foreclosure. There are various types of foreclosures in Arizona.
- The trustee’s sale procedure is the most used in Arizona. When the lender decides to foreclose on the borrower’s property, there are laws governing the process. Normally the trustee’s sale, in comparison to other processes, is cheaper and quicker (at least 90 days). In this method, there is no court involvement.
- The second process is a judicial foreclosure. This is a court procedure. Therefore, it is more expensive and takes longer. The advantage for the lender is that a deficiency action could be brought against the borrower or guarantor. The homeowners’ association (“HOA”), or those who purchased back taxes may also use this court process.
- The sheriff’s sale comes after the judicial foreclosure. As was already mentioned, the process begins in court. The task of selling the property is then given to the sheriff. Lenders, HOAs, and investors in back taxes normally use this.
The following will explain a few of the fundamentals of Trustee’s Sale.
If you fall behind on your mortgage payments in Arizona, the trustee’s sale is one of the things your lender can do. A judicial foreclosure is the second option. The trustee’s sale is often chosen because it lets the lender move faster and costs less than the judicial foreclosure.
Quick Links to Articles & Resources
Learn more about the Trustee’s Sale process by clicking on the following link.
Visit “Trustee’s Sale Process”
Our frequently asked questions includes many questions about: foreclosure rescue scams, the trustee’s sale process, if you have a VA loan, living in the property and excess sale proceeds.
Visit Trustee Sale FAQs
(As of May 28, 2018 this became permanent Federal law. Also see links at bottom to Arizona Landlord Tenant Act)
by Attorney Janet Portman Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act – Federal legislation signed in May 2009 gives important rights to tenants whose landlords have lost their properties through foreclosure. The mortgage industry crisis that started in 2006 has resulted in thousands — no, make that millions — of foreclosed homes. Most of the occupants are the homeowners themselves, who must scramble to find alternate housing with very little notice. They’re being joined by scores of renters who discover, often with no warning, that their rented house or apartment is now owned by a bank, which wants them out.
Read More by visiting
Property which is pledged as collateral on a debt will sometimes be surrendered to the creditor if the debtor is unable to make payments.
The rise in incidents of foreclosure of homeowner mortgages across the nation is but one aspect of this. Repossessions of cars and mobile homes are also common occurrences in the current economic environment. This article explores the income tax consequences to the borrower which may ensue from surrendering property to satisfy a debt. In general there are two tax aspects to consider: (1) recognition of gain or loss on the transaction and (2) recognition of cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income.
Read More about this by visiting the link below
Tax Issues in short sales, trustee and sales and foreclosures, by Robert Ciancola
Visit “Sue on the Note or Foreclose on the Property – what is the difference?” by Stephanie Monroe Wilson. An Arizona attorney
Visit “Buying Tax Liens: Not an Entirely Gold Plated Investment“, by Chris McNichol, an Arizona Attorney
“Tax Lien Sales Winner for County (but not investors)“, by Mike Fimea, Arizona Business Gazette, February 19, 2004, volume 124
When deciding whether to fight to keep your home or let the lender foreclose, it’s important to know what the lender’s processes are.
How long before my house has equity?
Find out by using the calculator below. This tool will allow you to calculate when you will have equity in your home.
The principal and interest make up the majority of your mortgage payment. The main is the amount borrowed, while the interest is the fee paid to the lender. Your lender may additionally collect an additional sum each month to place in escrow, which the lender (or servicer) normally pays directly to the local property tax collector and your insurance provider.
Mortgage Repayment Calculator
mortgage payment calculator provided by bankrate.com
Clients from all across Arizona have put their trust in us
Being of Service to Others certainly overshadowed any money motivation…in the end her expert consultation did not cost us any money.
“Being of Service to Others certainly overshadowed any money motivation…in the end her expert consultation did not cost us any money. ” G.G. Diane was great at coming to our rescue during very stressful times… Dianne and her team were always in good communication and they always [...]
Diane is very compassionate and comforting
"Diane is very compassionate and comforting." Anonymous Diane is very compassionate and comforting. She made a very difficult process much easier for us. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
Words cannot express the gratitude!
"Words cannot express the gratitude!" Anonymous Words cannot express the gratitude we have for you! Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0.
OTHER REVIEWS – “She took her time to answer questions, even on a Sunday.”
“ She took her time to answer every single one of my questions and guided me how to go about resolving my issue” Mauro Rodriguez I just want to thank Diane for such professionalism, knowledge, and for being so patient and attentive. I called on a Sunday [...]
Thank you for your caring and professionalism with my case
"Caring and professional!" R.L. Thank you for your caring and professionalism with my case. You are the best!
We were put at ease throughout the process
"We were put at ease throughout the process" S.L. Diane and Jay made sure we were put at ease throughout the process.
They provided a balance of head and heart combined with expertise
"They provided a balance of head and heart combined with expertise!" R.F. She and her team are responsive, knowledgeable, efficient, trustworthy, good communicators, detail-oriented, well-connected, caring and compassionate. They provided a balance of head and heart combined with expertise and appropriate action to get it done. Being a well-established [...]
I suffer from anxiety and was paralyzed by fear. Thank Goodness I found Diane Drain.
“She broke down the process into manageable portions that I could handle.” S.S. I had waited to the eleventh hour to actually contact Diane Drain for help with my Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I suffer from an anxiety issue and was paralyzed by fear. Thank Goodness I was [...]
Diane and Jay are a wonderful team
"Diane and Jay are a wonderful team!" R & S Diane and Jay are a wonderful team. Efficiency and clarity were the hallmark of our experience.
Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
"Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0" Anonymous When I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney, the U.S. Courts’ website had some Phoenix attorney’s listed. I visited one in person and the then read Ms. Drain’s site. The in-person attorney gave me a 2 inch stack of papers [...]
She is an expert in her field and compassionate.
“Quality and compassion. ” S. She is an expert in her field and compassionate. She listens and provides good advice. She will help you resolve difficult circumstances. S.
This attorney educates clients
"This attorney educates clients!" Anonymous This attorney educates clients on the bankruptcy process and helps them correctly complete the steps needed to reach the end of the process in a timely manner. She is thorough, professional and compassionate.
I do not know what I would have done if I had not found you
"I do not know what I would have done if I had not found you." S. Diane – thank you very much for all of your help. I do not know what I would have done if I had not found you. Every other attorney I talked to [...]
I will never forget how much they helped me get my life back.
I will never forget how much they helped me get my life back. R.A. As you can imagine, filing for bankruptcy can be stressful. Finding the right attorney can add to this stress. Working with Diane and Jay to guide me through this difficult process was the [...]
If there is more than 5 stars, I would Jump to give the highest
"If there is more than 5 stars, I would Jump to give the highest." P.G. If there is more than 5 stars, I would Jump to give the highest possible rating to attorney Diane Drain. Before I called Diane, we did our own research, read everything on their web [...]
Diane and Jay were always very positive and consistently receptive in answering and returning phone calls and emails in a timely manner
Diane and Jay were always very positive and consistently receptive in answering and returning phone calls and emails in a timely manner. In summary, they are a class act and able to take a very challenging and difficult process and make it as humane and positive as anyone could. I [...]
Thanks to your guidance and insistence that I take responsibility for my case
I knew what to do and what to expect every step of the way thanks to your guidance and insistence that I take responsibility for my case. I greatly appreciate that! Not to mention, both you and Jay are wonderful people. Thanks so much! "Thanks to your [...]
Rated high among her peers
"Rated high among her peers" Anonymous Ms. Drain helped make a very difficult time more bearable. She treated us with the utmost respect and caring while pushing us to get together the paperwork needed to get us to the best possible end result. It was very obvious [...]
Discharge in Bankruptcy – the basics
Reprint from the United States Bankruptcy Court The bankruptcy discharge varies depending on the type of case a debtor files: Chapter 7, 11, 12, or [...]
Beyond the Bankruptcy Paperwork: It’s Not Just Filling Out Forms, and Understanding The Attorney’s Role
Many people, including inexperienced attorneys, think that bankruptcy is simple. To quote a first-year law student on their first day in bankruptcy class, "It is [...]
A Cautionary Tale for Arizona Homeowners
After 100 Years of Protecting Homeowners, Arizona's Law Changes to Give Creditors New Rights to Take Your Home Depending on the [...]
The Lowdown on Business Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know
Bankruptcy is a complex process that can have significant implications for your business and personal finances. Before considering business bankruptcy as an option for [...]





