LAND CONTRACT FORFEITURE VERSUS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS

By February 19, 2015 Real Estate No Comments

There are two (2) legal remedies when the purchaser defaults on a land contract:  (1) forfeiture (commonly known as summary proceedings); and (2) foreclosure.  Prior to initiating either action it is highly recommended to obtain a foreclosure commitment from a title company.  The foreclosure commitment will identify any lien holders in the chain of title for the property.  This is important since the lien holders must be named in the action and/or put on notice because failure to do either will not extinguish their interest in the property (i.e., lien) upon expiration of the redemption period.  If they are not included in the action, then upon judgment you take the property back subject to the lien.  After you review the foreclosure commitment and identify any lien holders, you then must decide what remedy is best for you.  The process for each is laid out below and there are advantages and drawbacks to both remedies.

(1) FORFEITURE (a/k/a summary proceedings)

The first step in forfeiture proceedings is sending a 15 day written notice of forfeiture.  If within 15 days of serving the notice of forfeiture the land contract purchaser has not cured the default, you then file a complaint for possession in the district court.

Upon filing the complaint, the court will schedule a forfeiture hearing (typically about 30 days after the notice of land contract forfeiture expires).  You present proofs of the defaulting party’s material breach of the land contract (e.g., failure to make payments) at the forfeiture hearing.  The proofs consist of the following testimony:

  1. The purchaser entered into a land contract requiring certain payments.
  2. The purchaser failed to make some of these payments.
  3. The land contract provides for forfeiture if the purchaser fails to make the required payments.
  4. The land contract provided a balloon payment that the purchaser failed to pay.
  5. The purchaser was served with the notice of forfeiture.
  6. Your taxable costs (meaning court filing fees and service of process).

The proofs are typically enough for the court to enter a ruling in your favor.  Once the court rules in your favor, a judgment of possession for land contract forfeiture is issued.   The judgment may include an award of costs. See MCL 600.5741.  The judgment identifies the amount the purchaser must pay to reinstate the land contract as well as the expiration date (i.e. redemption period).  If the purchaser fails to pay the judgment amount during the redemption period (i.e., the redemption period expires), the land contract is deemed forfeited, and all right, title and ownership interest is vested in you.

If the purchaser remains in possession of the property after the expiration of the redemption period, you then need to obtain an order of eviction/writ of restitution from the district court. An order of eviction/writ of restitution may not be issued until the expiration of the period of redemption. See MCL 600.5744(3).  While the statutes refer to a “writ of restitution,” the court rule uses the term “order of eviction.” See MCR 4.202(K).

After you obtain a writ of restitution, you need to coordinate with the Sheriff’s office to serve the order of eviction/writ of restitution and for other personnel to remove the purchaser’s personal property, if any.  The Sheriff will charge approximately $37, plus mileage, for an order of eviction or a writ for the restitution of premises for each defendant. See MCL 600.2559(1)(h).

Pros:  (1) Typically faster and cheaper than foreclosure.  (2) You keep all payments made to date and you get the property back free and clear of the purchaser’s ownership interest.

Cons:  (1) The purchaser does not have to make payments which fall due after the judgment in order to redeem and keep the property.  (2) If the purchaser redeems before the expiration, this procedure does not prevent them from defaulting again.  Put simply, the defaulting party could be chronically delinquent, and you would have to begin the forfeiture process again for any subsequent defaults

(2) FORECLOSURE

The first step in foreclosure is the purchaser has failed to make payment for 45 days and or has made a material breach of the land contract (e.g., failing to pay real estate taxes, insurance, or committing waste on the property).  The land contract should have a “due on sale” clause which allows you to declare the entire remaining balance immediately due.

If the purchaser fails to pay the entire remaining balance, you initiate a lawsuit in the circuit court.    There will be a hearing and you should again be prepared to put on proofs to the circuit court allowing the judge to enter a judgment in your favor.  Assuming you meet the burden of proof, the circuit court enters a judgment of foreclosure for the entire balance and orders a public auction of the property.  The defaulting party has six months from the date of sale at this public auction to pay the entire balance, plus interest and fees; otherwise, the purchaser or anyone in possession may be evicted.

The whole foreclosure process typically takes a minimum of 12 months from filing the lawsuit to expiration of the redemption period.

Pros:  (1) Unlike forfeiture, the foreclosure avoids multiple lawsuits for a chronically delinquent defaulting party.  (2) It results in full payment of the entire balance of the land contract.

Cons:  (1) Typically takes longer and is more expensive than forfeiture.  (2)  It exposes the property to purchase by an unknown third party.

About Jim Lance
Jim Lance

Jim practices in the areas of real estate litigation, probate litigation, appeals and administrative law. He also practices elder law and long-term care planning.