“With your help, we accomplished more in the past three hours than I was able to on my own in the past 18 months. Thank you.”
Our Foreclosure Mediation program is the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center’s response to Governor Gregoire’s Foreclosure Fairness Act of 2011, which gives homeowners the option of face to face mediation with the bank or company servicing their mortgage.
The goal of foreclosure mediation is for homeowners to have an opportunity to discuss options as alternatives to foreclosure, to provide parties with the ability to review programs that could assist in continued payment of mortgages, to review documentation with their bank or lender, and as a last resort, to discuss opportunities and timelines for a “graceful exit” from their homes.
To get started with foreclosure mediation, homeowners need to be referred to Department of Commerce by a housing counselor or an attorney.
FREE housing counseling is available to help homeowners understand their options and determine the best course of action. Contact a free housing counselor at 1-877-894-HOME (4663).
Low to moderate-income homeowners with foreclosure-related legal issues can also contact the statewide civil legal aid program at 1-800-606-4819 or visit www.nwjustice.org/get-legal-help.
Homeowners may also independently hire an attorney who specializes in real estate, and request a referral be submitted.
For more information about the Foreclosure Fairness Act visit https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/housing/foreclosure-fairness/.