This article is about American General Finance, a firm which provides financial services. AIG is the parent company of this organization.

In the past, it behooved those looking for foreclosure sales to have to search the county records manually to discover which of them held a “lis pendens” or “suit pending” recording against it. Then many counties went to computer searchable recordings, and that helped tremendously, but now they are printed in every newspaper in the U.S. making such a search incredibly easy to accomplish!

Today’s economy has created a very high foreclosure rate. It is said that one in four homes in much of the U.S. are either foreclosed against or are under foreclosure proceedings. Some areas such as California are experiencing even higher numbers of foreclosures.

Being threatened with foreclosure is an anxiety-producing event in your life, and one that will keep you up all night with constant worry. Those who lurk to perform scams and fraud unfortunately abound in these times. Prior to giving into any promises, be sure and perform serious investigative research of not only the company, but also the offer itself. And do remember that if it sounds too good, it probably is fraud!

It is difficult to properly outline the foreclosure procedure for all states, as each state has its own diverse foreclosure laws. Be sure and carefully research the portions that interest you or you feel apply to you.

Keep in mind that the note is the proof and indication of the debt and a mortgage is recorded in the county where the property is located, which outlines how the mortgage will be paid and what happens if the borrower does not adhere to the repayment of the debt. In essence, foreclosure “happens” to the mortgage.