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Question

I had a foreclosure in 2005. I owed $250,000 with two mortgages. one for $225,000 and a second lien of $25,000. The house was sold at an auction for $225,000. After the foreclosure GMAC discharged the debt and company called Portfolio Recovery bought the debt of my second mortgage of $25,000. In August 2008 without being properly served, A law firm called Regent and Associates which represents Portfolio Recovery filed a judgment and was approved by the courts. In October 2009 they sold my fathers property which had my name on it with both my parents at a constable sale. Notice I did not hear about the case until it was already scheduled for sale. My question is, 1. Isn't there a law in Texas that deficiency judgments can not be collected after 2 years of the foreclosure. Also is true that they can only collect the difference between fair market value and the amount owed. 2. Can they foreclose on a house with 3 people owning it without notice to any of the other owners? Help!

Submitted: 131 days ago.
Category: Legal
Value: $38
Status: CLOSED
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State/Country relating to Question: United States

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Accepted Answer

Hello,

 

The statute of limitations on contract actions in Texas is 4 years, so they can pursue the deficiency judgment.

 

Lenders may obtain deficiency judgments, but they are limited to the difference between the fair market value of the property at the time of sale and the balance of the loan in default.

 

Under TX law a foreclosure notice must be mailed to the borrower at the last known address as shown in the records of the lender 21 days before foreclosure.

Texas also requires a foreclosure notice to be posted at the county courthouse door 21 days before foreclosure and requires a foreclosure notice to be filed with the county clerk 21 days before foreclosure.

 

 

You can check to see where they sent the notice and possibly challenge it if they sent it to an unknown address.

 

 

Thanks.

MAtt

 

 

 

I hope you have a better understanding of your question as a result of my comments. I am sorry if the answer is not what you would prefer, but as you know, sometimes the correct answer is good news, other times bad. I hope you have a better understanding of your legal issue as a result of my comments. If the information given in fact answered your question please click the GREEN "ACCEPT" button NOW, so that I receive credit for my work. If you need additional clarification on this question, don't hesitate to click "Reply" and I will be happy to help you. Please give me as much detail as you can so that I can respond after receiving all the relevant details. If you would like to have me help with further questions, you can request me personally in your question caption.

 

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Expert: Matt
Pos. Feedback: 99.6 %
Accepts: 1740
Answered: 11/11/2009

Attorney

10 years experience real estate, estate planning, and criminal law. REALTOR. Landlord 18+ years

131 days ago.

Reply

Texas Property Code 51.003
§ 51.003. DEFICIENCY JUDGMENT. (a) If the price at which
real property is sold at a foreclosure sale under Section 51.002 is
less than the unpaid balance of the indebtedness secured by the real
property, resulting in a deficiency, any action brought to recover
the deficiency must be brought within two years of the foreclosure
sale and is governed by this section.

How does this apply to me?

Posted by Matt 131 days ago.

Answer

That is a more specific Code than the general statute of limitations on contracts so it would trump the general and apply. They would have 2 years from the time of the entry of judgment to pursue the deficiency. Based on the timeline, if they did sell the loan and the purchaser filed for judgment after the 2 year deadline, they have done so unlawfully.

 

I would suggest getting all the paperwork and timeline together and contacting a real estate attorney about filing suit to recover your damages.

 

 

Thanks.

Matt

 

 

 

I hope you have a better understanding of your question as a result of my comments. I am sorry if the answer is not what you would prefer, but as you know, sometimes the correct answer is good news, other times bad. I hope you have a better understanding of your legal issue as a result of my comments. If the information given in fact answered your question please click the GREEN "ACCEPT" button NOW, so that I receive credit for my work. If you need additional clarification on this question, don't hesitate to click "Reply" and I will be happy to help you. Please give me as much detail as you can so that I can respond after receiving all the relevant details. If you would like to have me help with further questions, you can request me personally in your question caption.

130 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Can I still fight it even when the judgement was granted? If everything is true that they surpassed the timeline, can i still fight and have a good chance to win?

Posted by Matt 130 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

I think that you could maintain a breach of contract suit under the general statute of limitations in Texas that gives you 4 years to bring an action under a contract. I would suggest contacting a local real estate or civil attorney to assist as this is not something you want to undertake yourself. The other side will be represented by counsel and you should be as well.

 

 

Thanks.

Matt

 

 

 

I hope you have a better understanding of your question as a result of my comments. I am sorry if the answer is not what you would prefer, but as you know, sometimes the correct answer is good news, other times bad. I hope you have a better understanding of your legal issue as a result of my comments. If the information given in fact answered your question please click the GREEN "ACCEPT" button NOW, so that I receive credit for my work. If you need additional clarification on this question, don't hesitate to click "Reply" and I will be happy to help you. Please give me as much detail as you can so that I can respond after receiving all the relevant details. If you would like to have me help with further questions, you can request me personally in your question caption.

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