What Should I Do If I Get a Foreclosure Demand Letter in BC?

What Should I Do If I Get a Foreclosure Demand Letter in BC?

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What Should I Do If I Get a Foreclosure Demand Letter in BC?

Receiving a foreclosure demand letter can feel overwhelming. For many homeowners in British Columbia, it is the first formal sign that the lender plans to start the foreclosure process if missed payments are not resolved. While the letter may feel alarming, you still have options. With the right steps, you can protect your home, your equity, and your next move.

The Mansour Real Estate Group has helped homeowners across Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford understand their choices and take action before the foreclosure process goes too far. Most people have more control than they realize, especially when they act quickly.

What a Foreclosure Demand Letter Means

A foreclosure demand letter is a formal notice from your lender telling you:

  • You have missed mortgage payments
  • The amount you owe (arrears plus fees)
  • The deadline to pay the arrears
  • That legal action may begin if you do not pay

In BC, lenders normally send this letter before filing a foreclosure petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. It is a warning, not the final step.

Steps to Take Right Away

1. Read the Letter Carefully

Note the total amount owing and the deadline to pay. These dates matter because lenders may start legal action once the deadline passes.

2. Contact Your Lender

Many lenders are open to discussing repayment plans or temporary arrangements. Reaching out early can slow down the foreclosure timeline.

3. Review Your Finances Honestly

Decide whether catching up on payments is realistic. This helps you choose the most effective path forward.

4. Speak With a Professional

You may want to consult with:

  • A mortgage broker to check if refinancing is possible
  • A financial advisor
  • A lawyer who understands foreclosure cases
  • A realtor experienced with distressed and court-related sales

Your Options After Receiving a Demand Letter

Reinstate the Mortgage

You pay the arrears and resume your normal payments. This often stops the process if the lender agrees.

Refinance

If you have equity, a new lender may be willing to pay out your current mortgage and reset your terms.

Sell Before Legal Action Continues

Selling early often protects your equity and prevents deeper court involvement. You control the price, the timing, and the process.

Sell After a Foreclosure Petition Has Been Filed

Even if your lender files a foreclosure petition, you can still sell the property with the court’s permission. The court often prefers a sale that repays the debt and avoids further steps.

Negotiate a Repayment Plan

Some lenders accept structured repayment plans if you can show that the plan is realistic and sustainable.

Why Selling Early Helps Protect Your Equity

Once the lender files a petition, the case moves through the court. If the lender eventually receives “conduct of sale,” they or the court will control the listing, the marketing, and many of the decisions.

That can result in:

  • A lower sale price than you could have achieved earlier
  • Less control over timing
  • Less say in how the property is marketed
  • Reduced remaining equity

Selling early can help you:

  • Protect your equity
  • Set the list price based on market value
  • Choose your buyer
  • Avoid higher deficiencies if the sale price is low
  • Plan your next move with more time and clarity

How Mansour Real Estate Group Helps Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

We guide homeowners through foreclosure risk situations with a clear and calm plan that may include:

  • A private market evaluation to understand your home’s value
  • A quick and strategic listing plan
  • Help communicating with your lender
  • Working with legal and financial professionals when needed
  • Managing showings and offers with minimal disruption
  • Protecting as much equity as possible
  • Helping you plan your next move

There is no pressure. The goal is to give you real options and a way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I ignore a foreclosure demand letter?
No. Ignoring the letter allows the process to move ahead faster.

Can I still sell my home after receiving the letter?
Yes. Many homeowners choose to sell early to protect their equity.

Does the bank take my home right away?
No. Foreclosure in BC is a court process. A demand letter is only the first step.

Who should I call if I get a demand letter?
The Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, has helped many homeowners handle foreclosure-risk sales across the Fraser Valley.

Final Word

A foreclosure demand letter is stressful, but you still have time and choices. Whether you want to explore refinancing, catch up on payments, or sell before things go further, you do not have to handle it alone. The Mansour Real Estate Group can guide you through each step with clarity and respect.

About Mansour Real Estate Group

The Mansour Real Estate Group, led by Mohamed Mansour, MBA and Associate Broker, is one of the top performing real estate teams in the Fraser Valley. With more than 21 years of experience and over $750 million in completed sales, we are trusted for sensitive and time critical transactions, including foreclosure-risk and distressed property sales. We serve homeowners across Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, and Abbotsford with clear guidance and proven results.

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