Can I give my house back to a mortgage company?

Asked by: Nikita Reynolds  |  Last update: June 15, 2025
Score: 5/5 (3 votes)

If you have tried to sell for some time but have no offers, the mortgage company might consider a Deed in Lieu of foreclosure. This allows you to give the house to the mortgage company. In either case, the bank might be agreeing to take less money or a house of less value than what you owe.

What happens if I voluntarily surrender my house?

  • Voluntary Surrender: This is often referred to as a ``deed in lieu of foreclosure.'' You can voluntarily transfer ownership of the property back to the bank to settle your mortgage debt.
  • Impact on Credit Score: Surrendering your property can negatively impact your credit score, similar to a foreclosure.

Can you sell your house back to a mortgage company?

The answer to this question is yes, you can give your house back to the bank to avoid foreclosure in a process known as deed in lieu of foreclosure. Before pursuing this option, first look into a short sale, loan modification, or simply selling the property.

How to get out of your mortgage legally?

How To Get Out Of Your Mortgage Legally
  1. Talk To Your Lender. Homeowners who find themselves under financial duress are advised to speak with their lender as soon as possible. ...
  2. Sell Your Home. ...
  3. Request A Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure. ...
  4. Have A Short Sale. ...
  5. Let Your House Go Into Foreclosure. ...
  6. Strategic Default.

How to walk away from a mortgage without ruining your credit?

Refinance Your Home

Another option for homeowners who are considering how to get out of a mortgage without ruining credit scores is to refinance the property. It's important to note, however, that this option is only available to property owners who have a reliable, stable income and low housing expense ratio.

The Truth When Your Loan is Sold To Another Lender

22 related questions found

What happens if I just walk away from my mortgage?

What Are the Consequences of Walking Away From a Mortgage? It doesn't matter if you're in a recourse or non-recourse state, walking away from a mortgage will harm your credit score. Because of the negative impact on your credit report, you'll probably have difficulty getting a mortgage to buy a new home.

What happens if I can't pay my mortgage anymore?

If there is a hardship, your servicer will explore mortgage assistance options with you. Options might include a repayment plan, loan modification, short sale or Deed-In-Lieu of foreclosure. If a mortgage assistance solution cannot be reached, and the account remains delinquent, your home may be foreclosed on.

Can I give my house back to the mortgage company?

If you volunteer to willingly foreclose on your home, your lender will allow you to surrender your home in exchange for canceling the mortgage debt.

What happens if you abandon a house with a mortgage?

The lender uses the legal system to take possession of the property. While the homeowner is often allowed to live in the property for months (free of charge) while the foreclosure process takes place, the lender will be making an active effort to collect on the debt, and, in the end, the homeowner will be evicted.

What if I don't want my house anymore?

A Mortgage Release can be a good alternative to foreclosure if you owe more than your home is worth. You may have the option to vacate the home, stay in the home rent-free for up to three months, or lease the home at market rates for up to one year.

Can a reverse mortgage company take your house?

+ Can a reverse mortgage lender take my home away if I outlive the loan? No, they cannot. And the loan is not due at that time either. In fact, you don't need to repay the loan as long as you or another borrower continues to live in the house, keep the taxes paid and insurance in force.

How to get rid of a house you don't want?

How to Get Rid of a House That Won't Sell: 5 Alternative Options
  1. Short Sale. If you owe more than your home is worth, you may consider doing a short sale in which your lender accepts less than your mortgage balance to pay off the loan. ...
  2. Foreclosure. ...
  3. Lease Option. ...
  4. Sell Below Market Value. ...
  5. Employment Relocation Program.

Can I sell my house if I owe a mortgage?

Yes. You don't need your mortgage to be fully paid off in order to sell your house. The important thing to remember is your home equity, which is the difference between your home's current market value and what you still owe on the mortgage.

Is a voluntary repo better than a repo?

Voluntary car repossession is only a slightly better option than involuntary repossession. You may be a bit more prepared and have some control over when you surrender your car if it's voluntary. Avoiding some of the extra fees that can come with involuntary repossession can be helpful, too.

Will the bank buy my house back?

The short answer to your first question is no, banks are not in the business of buying houses from their mortgage loan customers. In fact, if a bank owns a house it is highly motivated to sell the property as quickly as possible because banks are not in the business of buying and selling real estate.

How long does a voluntary surrender stay on credit?

Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. This stain on your credit reports might prevent you from being approved for new credit and your terms, like interest rates, will likely be higher.

Can you go to jail for foreclosure?

No. Foreclosure is a civil matter.

What is loan abandonment?

Not to be confused with defaulting on a mortgage, abandonment occurs when the owner of a property demonstrates that they have no intention of returning to the property and have given up their legal claim to the property.

How to get out of a mortgage with an ex?

Removing someone from a mortgage typically requires a loan application, proof of income, bank statements, credit report, property title and deed, and a divorce decree or separation agreement if applicable. Your lender may also request additional documents depending on your specific situation.

What happens when you voluntarily surrender your house?

A voluntary surrender repossession is a certain type of legal agreement where a person in mortgage arrears hands back the keys to their property to the lender. Once this is done, it cannot be undone, and you will lose the house forever.

Can a mortgage company stop you from selling your home?

Yes, you can sell your house with an existing mortgage. Selling with a mortgage is actually very common since the average homeowner stays in their home for about 13 years. That means it's completely normal to pay off your mortgage by selling your home.

What happens if you forfeit your mortgage?

If you don't pay your mortgage, it will set you on the path to foreclosure, which means losing your house. A mortgage is a legal agreement in which you agree to pay a certain amount to a lender for a certain number of years. Failing to pay violates that agreement.

How long can you go without paying a mortgage payment?

Key takeaways. If you miss one mortgage payment, lenders will often issue you a 15-day grace period to pay without incurring a penalty. If you miss four consecutive mortgage payments (or are 120 days late), most lenders begin the process of foreclosure on your home.

Can you lose your house if you don't pay a loan?

If you do not make your mortgage payments, your lender can take your home. The process they use to take your home is called foreclosure. This is the legal process they use to recover the balance of the loan when a property owner fails to meet the obligations of the loan.

What if I don't use all of my mortgage loan?

You may have to pay a certain percentage as a fee for the unused funds if you haven't used the funds for at least 6 months. You'll be pay a higher interest rate for the idle funds. Your ability to borrow additional funds in the future could be difficult depending on how much extra you borrowed for the home loan.