Foreclosure Information

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• Download our new Resource Guide (pdf)

Concerned about your mortgage? There are FREE community resources that maybe able to help.

Foreclosure Assistance

Homeowners who are either delinquent on their mortgage or face foreclosure now have a new, dedicated 24/7 toll-free help line to reach a local Arizona foreclosure counselor. This service is sponsored by the Governor’s Office: Call 1-877-448-1211. Read more (pdf)

You may also contact HUD for a list of foreclosure counselors: www.hud.gov or 1-800-569-4287. For information in Spanish, visit: www.espanol.hud.gov

Foreclosure Information Web site

There are several resources that contain excellent information, which address the challenges posed by the foreclosure crisis. This Web page features an array of resources to help you deal with a foreclosure situation whether you are a homeowner, a concerned resident or a prospective homebuyer.
Click here to visit this site.

Informational documents to download:

• Steps to avoid foreclosure (pdf)
• Questions on foreclosure (pdf)
• Foreclosure fact sheet (pdf)
• Common foreclosure terms (pdf)
• Sustaining neighborhoods (pdf)
• Don't Be a Victim of Mortgage Scams (pdf)

Qualification Assistance Web Site

Making Home Affordable is a government website designed to help homeowners determine whether or not they qualify for a loan modification or refinancing. It's the site to start with to determine whether or not assistance is available to you. http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

5 Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams - From The Federal Reserve Board

1. Work only with a nonprofit, HUD-approved counselor.
   If you are looking for help to prevent foreclosure (www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/foreclosuretips/
   default.htm), be sure the counseling agency is on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s list of approved agencies. Visit HUD’s website for an easily searchable list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ hcc/hcs.cfm), or call 877-HUD-1515 (877-483-1515) for more information. If you are approached by foreclosure
   counselors—by mail, phone, or in person—make sure the counseling agency is HUD-approved before you do business with them.
   
   
2. Don’t pay an arm and a leg.
   You should not have to pay hundreds—or thousands— of dollars. Most HUD-approved housing counselors provide no-cost counseling services and many more provide low-cost counseling. Do not agree to work with a counselor who collects a fee before providing you with any services or who accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer. In general, do not pay money to anyone unless you know exactly what services you will receive.
   
   
3. Be wary of “guarantees.”
   A reputable counselor will not guarantee to stop the foreclosure process, no matter what your circumstances. Working with a legitimate counselor can certainly increase your chances of keeping your home—but be wary of people who promise a sure thing. Again, get the details of your transaction, along with any promises, in writing first.
   
   
4. Know what you are signing—and be sure you sign it.
   Don’t let a counselor pressure you to sign paperwork you haven’t had a chance to read through carefully or that you don’t understand. Don’t sign any blank forms or let “the counselor” fill out forms for you. Be sure to talk with an attorney before signing anything that transfers the title of your home to another party.
   
   
5. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
   If you feel you may be the target or victim of foreclosure fraud, trust your instincts and seek help. For tips on spotting scam artists, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s webpage on foreclosure rescue scams (www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre42.shtm). Report suspicious schemes to your state and local consumer protection agencies, which you can find on the Federal Citizen Information Center’s Consumer Action Website (www.consumeraction.gov/caw_state_resources.shtml).
   

Vacant/Abandoned Properties Impact Everyone

The City of Glendale is no different than other communities across the nation in that it is being impacted by the current housing market.  As mortgage foreclosures continue to increase, some homeowners are seeking information on financial assistance programs, while others are concerned with the effect of vacant/abandoned homes on their neighborhood and property values.

A vacant or abandoned home can have a negative impact on a neighborhood.  The longer the vacancy, the greater the possibility of the property becoming unkempt, attracting criminal activity, and serving as a destabilizing factor on the rest of the neighborhood.

Glendale residents are encouraged to report abandoned/vacant properties, particularly if they become concerned about a safety hazard, property maintenance issue or a suspicious activity occurring on the property. The city has a number of programs and resources to help residents maintain neighborhoods.

Contacts for Neighborhood Concerns

Report Property Maintenance Issues: 623/930-3610

It’s important to track vacant/abandoned homes. If you notice an abandoned home or maintenance issue in your neighborhood or suspect after 10 days of no activity that it’s vacant, contact the Glendale Code Compliance Department at 623/930-3610 or click here to use the on-line Request for Service form.

The city will take steps immediately to eliminate a safety hazard. General nuisance concerns, such as overgrown grass/weeds or trash/debris, will take longer, due to legal requirements. Usually, once the legal owner of record has been identified, a notice of violation and a minimum 30-day timeframe must be provided. If general nuisance violations are not corrected, the city may have the violations abated; the property cleaned and file a lien, which will charge the costs back to the property’s owner.

Assistance for Distressed Homeowners: 623/930-3670

The Community Revitalization Division can guide residents to several local non-profits who may be able to help them with services in a financial crisis. For a current list of social services funded by CDBG, click here. (PDF)

Report Suspicious Activity/Crime: 623/930-3000

• Call 9-1-1: To report emergencies or criminal and suspicious activity that is in progress or occurring right now.
• Call the Police Department's non-emergency number at 623/930-3000 for other concerns.
• Call the Police Department's Community Action Teams (CAT) at 623/930-3380, for assistance with continued problems at the same location.
• Also, call CAT about Neighborhood Watch, Crime Free Multi-Housing, GAIN, Blanket Trespass Authorizations, Business/Residential Security Surveys, and other crime prevention programs and assistance. Or click here for information on-line.

Tips for Neighborhoods: 623/930-2868

You can help to maintain the appearance of your neighborhood or HOA community and to deter crime. The first step is to keep a watchful eye on your neighborhood. By becoming a registered neighborhood, you can receive many services to revitalize your neighborhood. Click here to learn more.

If you live in an HOA and see property that may need attention, call your HOA property manager.

Neighborhood Tool Chest: 623/930-2868

For questions about neighborhood services, call the Neighborhood Partnership Office at 623/930-2868.  With the property owners’ permission, you may also organize clean ups of vacant and abandoned homes. The city also has a tool lending program available. Click here for more information.

Report Graffiti: 623/930-3080

To report graffiti on an abandoned home, call the Graffiti Removal Hotline at
623/930-3080 or click here to reach the Graffiti Busters On-line Hotline form.

This program is operated by the Field Operations Department.