What is a lis pendens and what should I do when I get one?

Lis pendens is a notice lenders use when they are starting a foreclosure suit. The lis pendens puts the public on notice that a lawsuit is pending and clouds the title so the property can't easily be sold. If you've received a lis pendens after missing a few mortgage payments, time is up and you will need to take action soon to avoid a foreclosure.

You still have options to save your home, and may in fact be in the middle of a loan modification application right now, but that may not stop the foreclosure suit from commencing. Unless you have a solid plan to repay the entire back due sum, it's time to start thinking about selling before all your equity is gone.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

CONTACT YOUR LENDER

Your lender will want to avoid foreclosure as well. If you are not already in a loan workout program, they may offer several options, including a loan modification, forbearance or even a short sale.

GET A PAYOFF STATEMENT

The balance on your mortgage will quickly start growing once you start missing payments, and especially once legal fees start accruing. Find out the total owed on the loan by requesting this document.

CONTACT A REALTOR

If you've decided you do not wish to keep the home, or you've been denied for a loan workout, it's time to get the property on market and get it sold before it forecloses. You will want a Realtor that has plenty of experience in the foreclosure process.

It's time to get a plan together to avoid losing your home to foreclosure!

We've been helping homeowners with foreclosure problems since 2008! Even if you have no equity, we can still help you avoid foreclosure and sell your home!

Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Minna Reid

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About the author

Minna Reid

Minna Reid is The Broker - Owner of Reid Real Estate Group. Reid Real Estate Group is a full-service Connecticut residential real estate brokerage, specializing in helping homeowners with legal and financial challenges including short sales, probate sales and tax lien complications.

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 2024-01-29
 
 
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 2023-09-07
 
 
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 2022-04-23
 
 
  I was about to give up and just turn my back on my home and walk away. However, I found Minna and she was a lifesaver! Other realtors tried to help me but made the situation worse and wasted my time. If you are in the unfortunate place of having to short sale your home, then you know it can be embarrassing and difficult, especially if you don't have real estate experience. Minna knew exactly what to do, and was very professional, knowledgeable, and, kind. Minna was on my side and handled all the challenges we faced with selling a house that at times seemed like it didn't want to be sold! I appreciate Minna and know that you will love her.
  
 
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 2022-03-01
 
 
  We are grateful to Minna for her knowledge, professionalism and expertise in shortsales. She truly cares about her clients and it is evident in the manner she represents them. She has a strong work ethic and keen negotiation skills when dealing with financial institutions and buyers. We strongly recommend Minna and her company if u want immediate results.
  
 
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 2021-10-17
 
 
  I inherited my father's head and was completely in over my head. Minna was amazing in getting things straightened out with the mortgage company (which had been giving me issues for years) and was so responsive to my emails. I had a lot of questions, as this was my first time going through the selling process, and she was able to answer them all quickly. The selling process was so much easier than I expected it to be, thanks to Minna and her team!
  
 
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 2021-07-31
 
 
  My husband and I worked with Minna to sell my father-in laws house after my father-in law-died. 
Minna is highly knowledgeable in regards to selling estate properties. She took the time to explain the process to us and she was very responsive to our needs. Minna was also highly motived to assist us in selling the house quickly. We listened to Minna’s advice in regards to selling the house (during the bidding process) and the house sold for well over what we expected. 
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 2021-04-29
 
 
  Minna has been a fantastic partner in selling our home. She was patient with us in explaining the differences between a short sale and conventional sale and helped us think through the pros and cons of each. During the process of the sale she was strategic and got us the best price for our sale. The process was painless and quick and every step of the way she managed each and every detail flawlessly.
  
 
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 2021-02-23
 
 
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 2020-12-10
 
 
  Minna was the best thing that happened to us in a very long time. We’ve been planning on moving from on house and on with our lives and the house was simply an anchor. We’ve had two liens on the house that would take a long time to cure and we were forced to sell the house to settle with the bank. I’ve looked around for someone who specializes in short sales, not just an agent that did 2-3. The process took a while, but Minna was super persistent, and her strategic approach was close to none. We have lost two buyers, got a push backs from the back and lean holders and she was able to stay on top of it and at the same time, she kept us afloat emotionally. Because of her, we were able to leave CT and move to FL where we are currently waiting for our new place. Warm thank you to Minna and her team for doing what they do best. Marcin with family.
  
 
        Sarah Woodbury 
 2020-09-13
 
 
  I reached out to Minna when we were first considering a short sale. I didn’t know much about the process or how it worked so naturally I had a ton of questions. She answered all of my questions as well as explained the process in detail so I would know exactly what to expect. Several months later, we kicked off the sale. I had heard so many horror stories about what can go wrong in a short sale so I was very uneasy. With Minna’s expertise the process was so much smoother than I could have ever anticipated! It was just over three months from the time we listed to closing (which is fast for a short sale)!  Minna’s responsiveness and dedication along the way was a huge asset!! It’s because of her that our family is able to put the past behind us and move on to bigger and better things! I highly recommend her!