It is virtually impossible to go through a day without reading something in the news media about our current economic problems. Many newspaper stories and video reports mention bankruptcy and foreclosure in a rather depressing way. Gaining control of your financial obligations is a much more preferable alternative to becoming the next bankruptcy victim for those of us who have financial commitments in the form of loans from a bank or loan provider.

If you have taken a loan by pledging your fixed property like your house as mortgage from a lender then you should know what the consequences are in case you miss the payment of loan installments in time. You should know what foreclosure is, connected with non payment of mortgage installments and from which point of time your mortgage company initiates foreclosure procedure against you.

If you have failed to make a payment on your home loan for the first time, the action taken will be light. The foreclosure procedure is initiated with a delinquent payment notice through an attorney. This notification is a warning signal to the homeowner, to catch up on the monthly payments. The homeowner is often able to contact the lender to create an extension for repayment of the loan.

At this early stage of the crisis, the mortgage company has the option of giving you easier terms to make your payments. But if they choose not to go easy on you for whatever reason, or if you default for a second time, then you may find yourself in a position where losing your home is a real possibility.

When you become a defaulter for second time then the mortgage company will not hesitate to send you a legal demand notice and from here onwards you are responsible for the legal expenses of the mortgage company and your burden will be more with late fee penalties. In a foreclosure procedure a mortgage company can demand repayment of the full amount in lump sum and from here it is a Herculean task to escape from losing your home.

A vital condition contained in mortgage agreements is referred to as an acceleration clause, entailing lump sum or complete payment. After this acceleration clause becomes effective, you have just a couple alternatives - you can pay back the entire loan with one payment, or confront eventual foreclosure procedures. At this point, you receive a certified letter from a law enforcement official regarding your property's foreclosure.

From this point on, there will be several legal proceedings leading up to your home being auctioned off. You will be unable to do anything other than to watch your dream home bought by a complete stranger without your approval.