Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe you have a few questions. That’s okay; most people do. Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us, along with our answers. If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We would be happy to answer it for you.

1. “How do I know if someone helping with my foreclosure is legit or a scam?“

• They tell you to stop talking to your lender or send payments to them instead.
• They charge upfront fees to “stop foreclosure,” do a “loan mod,” or “reinstate” your loan.
• They guarantee they can “save your home” or “approve a modification” before even seeing your paperwork.
• They rush you to sign documents you don’t fully understand.
• They ask you to sign over the deed / quitclaim without a clear purchase & sale agreement and closing with a neutral title/escrow company.

If you see any of these, hit pause and get a second opinion from a HUD-approved housing counselor or an attorney.

2. “What should I check before I trust an investor or company with my home?”

• Do they have 20+ recent Google reviews from real homeowners in situations like mine?
• Can they introduce me to past clients who will actually pick up the phone?
• Can I verify they’ve closed deals with a local title company that will vouch for them?
• Do they clearly explain how they get paid, in writing, before I sign anything?

This leans on “what others say” and “what I experience” as the strongest sources of authority.

3. “Is it ever safe to sign a quitclaim deed?”
Short answer: only if:

• There is a written purchase and sale agreement spelling out price, dates, and terms.
• You are closing through a licensed title / escrow company that explains every document.
• You understand exactly when you must move out and how much money you are getting and when.

If someone wants a deed signed outside of closing or ‘just to start the process,’ that’s a massive red flag.

4. “What about companies that say they’ll give me a ‘loan’ so I can stay in my home?”

• Is this interest only? What happens in 2–5 years?
• Do payments balloon later?
• Do I lose part of my equity or ownership?
• If I can’t refinance later, who owns the house?

If the only way this works is everything goes perfectly years from now, be very careful.

5. “Should I ever pay someone to apply for a loan modification or reinstatement?”

• In many cases, it’s illegal for “foreclosure consultants” to charge upfront fees just to submit paperwork or “negotiate” with your lender.
• You can talk to your lender directly or use a HUD-approved housing counselor who typically helps at no cost.

We’re not attorneys; laws differ by state. Always check with a licensed professional.

6. “What questions should I ask anyone who says they can help?”

“Can you walk me through what this looks like at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years?”

“How exactly do you make money in this situation?”

“What are the risks or downsides for me?”

“Can I take these documents to an attorney or housing counselor before I sign?”

7. “How are you different from the ‘we buy houses fast’ people?”

• “We start by seeing if it’s realistic for you to stay first.”
• “We’ll tell you if another option is better, even if we make less or nothing.”
• “We’re happy for you to check our reviews, talk to past clients, and run our paperwork by an attorney before signing.”

8. “How long do I have before my home is foreclosed on?”

In Arizona, most lenders won’t start the foreclosure process until you’re 90–120 days behind on payments. From the first missed payment to an auction can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months. The earlier you reach out for help, the more options you have — that’s why we encourage families to call us as soon as they get that first notice.

9. “Can I sell my house after I get a foreclosure notice?”

Yes — absolutely. You can sell at any point before the auction date. Even if a Notice of Default has been filed or a sale date is set, there is still time to act. A fast sale can pay off what you owe and let you walk away with your credit protected. That is exactly what The Homes Hero helps families do.

10. “What happens if I ignore foreclosure letters?”

Ignoring notices does not make them go away — it shrinks your window of options. Your lender will eventually schedule an auction date, and once the home is sold you lose all equity and control. The worst outcome is being displaced with nothing and a foreclosure on your record for 7 years. Opening those letters and calling someone who can help changes everything.

11. “Can you stop a foreclosure auction the day of?”

It is rare but sometimes possible. If your home has equity, a cash buyer can occasionally close fast enough to pull the sale. A bankruptcy filing can also trigger an automatic stay that halts the auction. But day-of solutions come with enormous stress and risk. If you have reached this point, call us immediately — we will tell you honestly what is still possible and help you find the fastest path forward.

12. “What is the difference between pre-foreclosure and foreclosure?”

Pre-foreclosure starts when you miss payments and your lender files a Notice of Default. You still own the home and have options — loan modifications, repayment plans, a short sale, or selling outright. Foreclosure is when those options close and the lender takes back the property through an auction. Most families we work with are in pre-foreclosure, where you have the most choices.

13. “Will foreclosure ruin my credit?”

A completed foreclosure stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score by 100–150 points, making it very hard to qualify for a future mortgage. Selling your home before the auction — even in a short sale — is significantly less damaging and lets you start rebuilding sooner. This is one of the biggest reasons families reach out to us early.

14. “What are my options if I can’t pay my mortgage?”

• Call your lender and ask about a forbearance or repayment plan
• Apply for a loan modification to lower your monthly payment
• Sell the home and use the proceeds to pay off what you owe
• Consider a short sale if you owe more than the home is worth (with lender approval)
• Consult a HUD-approved housing counselor for free guidance

The right option depends on your timeline and goals. We can help you think through all of them — at no cost and with no pressure.

15. “How fast can The Homes Hero help me?”

We can usually give you a cash offer within 24–48 hours of your first call, and we can close in as little as 7–14 days if needed. If you are facing an auction date, tell us right away — we will let you know honestly whether we can move fast enough and what your best path forward looks like.

16. “What areas do you serve?”

We help homeowners throughout the Greater Phoenix metro area, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, and Avondale. If you are unsure whether we serve your area, just give us a call — we are happy to talk through your situation and point you in the right direction even if we cannot work with you directly.

17. “What if I owe more than my house is worth?”

This is called being “underwater” or having negative equity, and it is more common than people think. A short sale may be an option — where your lender agrees to accept less than the full balance owed. We have experience working through short sales and can help you understand whether your lender is likely to approve one, and how to protect yourself in the process.

18. “How does the process of working with The Homes Hero actually work, step by step?”

• Step 1: Call us or fill out the form and tell us about your situation — no judgment, no pressure, just a real conversation.
• Step 2: We look at your home (sometimes in person, sometimes not) and put together a fair cash offer within 24–48 hours.
• Step 3: If the offer works for you, we pick a closing date that fits your timeline — as fast as 7–14 days or slower if you need more time.

You pay no fees, no commissions, and no closing costs. The only thing we ask is that you be honest with us so we can give you the most accurate offer.

19. “How do you come up with your offer price?”

We look at three things: your home’s current condition, what comparable homes in your area have recently sold for, and the cost of any repairs needed. We’re transparent about how we got to a number — if you want to walk through the math with us, we’re happy to do that. We aim to make an offer that is fair for you and workable for us.

20. “Is the offer you give me the amount I actually walk away with, or will there be deductions?”

What we offer is what you get. We cover our own costs and closing fees, so there are no surprise deductions at the table. The number we put in writing is what lands in your account at closing.

21. “Do I need to clean, fix anything, or make repairs before you buy my home?”

Not a thing. We buy homes as-is — in any condition. It does not matter if there are repairs needed, code violations, or years of deferred maintenance. You do not need to paint, deep clean, fix the roof, or do anything before we close. We handle all of that after.

22. “Can I leave furniture and belongings I don’t want?”

Yes. Take what you want and leave what you do not. You do not need to haul everything out before closing. We deal with whatever is left in the home, so you can focus on your next chapter instead of a stressful move-out.

23. “Will you pay my closing costs?”

Yes, in most cases we cover the closing costs — that is part of the deal. We will be clear about this in your offer so there are no surprises on closing day.

24. “Do I have to decide right away, or can I take some time?”

Take all the time you need — there is zero pressure and zero obligation from our end. We want you to feel confident in whatever decision you make. The only reason to move quickly is if you have a hard deadline like an auction date. In that case, we will be honest with you about exactly what is still possible and how much time you have.

25. “What if I’m going through a divorce and we can’t agree on what to do with the house?”

This is more common than you might think, and we are experienced working through it. A clean cash sale can often resolve a situation that has been stuck for months and allow both parties to move forward. We work with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved, and we are used to coordinating with attorneys when needed.

26. “What if I inherited a property that is already in foreclosure?”

Inherited properties in foreclosure are something we handle regularly. Whether probate is complete or still in process, we can often work with you to find a path forward — including purchasing the home before it goes to auction. The sooner you reach out, the more options are available. Do not assume it is too late until you talk to us.

27. “What if I’m behind because of a job loss, medical emergency, or something out of my control?”

It does not change anything about how we work with you — and it is one of the most common reasons families call us. Life happens. We do not judge the reason you are behind; we focus entirely on helping you find the best path forward from where you are right now.

28. “What if there are tenants living in my house?”

We have handled homes with tenants before. Depending on the situation — whether they are month-to-month or have an active lease — we can structure the sale to account for them properly. We will walk through the specifics with you so everything is handled correctly and fairly.

29. “Can I stay in the home for a little while after we close?”

In some cases, yes. If you need extra time to find your next place, we can discuss a short-term leaseback arrangement where you stay in the home for a few weeks after closing. It depends on our timeline and plans for the property, but we are flexible and will always try to find a solution that works for your situation.

30. “Does Arizona have any assistance programs for homeowners facing foreclosure?”

Yes. The Arizona Department of Housing has offered programs including Save Our Home AZ and the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) for homeowners experiencing financial hardship. A HUD-approved housing counselor can tell you whether you qualify — the service is free and available statewide at 1-877-448-1211. We always encourage families to explore every available resource before making any decisions, including this one.

31. “What is a deficiency judgment, and could I owe money after my home is sold in Arizona?”

A deficiency judgment is when a lender sues you for the difference between what your home sold for and what you still owed on the loan. The good news: Arizona has strong anti-deficiency laws that protect homeowners in most standard residential foreclosure situations, meaning most homeowners will not owe money after a trustee sale. However, this depends on your specific loan type and situation. For short sales, protections can vary. We always recommend speaking with an Arizona real estate attorney if this is a concern — and we can point you toward free legal resources.

32. “How do you make money on this? Why would you help me?”

We are real estate investors. We buy homes, invest in repairs or improvements, and either resell or rent them. We make money on the difference between what we pay and what the home is worth after we have put work into it. There is no hidden agenda — we are transparent about that because we think you deserve to know exactly how this works before you ever pick up the phone.

33. “Why would I sell to you instead of just listing with a real estate agent?”

A traditional listing can make sense if you have time, your home is in great condition, and you do not need speed or certainty. But if you are facing foreclosure, behind on payments, dealing with a difficult property, or just need to know the sale is going to happen — a cash sale skips the months of waiting, the showings, the repairs, and the risk of a buyer’s financing falling through at the last minute. We are not the right fit for everyone, and if we think you’d be better served by another path, we will tell you honestly.

34. “Do I have to sign anything today when we talk?”

Absolutely not. Our first conversation is just that — a conversation. We listen, we answer your questions, and if there is a good fit, we put an offer together for you to review with zero obligation to accept. You sign nothing until you have decided you want to move forward. No pressure. Ever.

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