During hard times, when debt builds up and becomes overwhelming, it can be very difficult to keep up with bills. If you fall behind on bond payments, however, the results can be devastating. It is very likely you will lose your property. However, there is hope for people who find themselves caught in this predicament.

Falling behind on bond payments, however, can be devastating. You could lose your property. There is hope, though, for those who find themselves in this tough situation.

June 1st, 2007, is when the National Credit Act went into effect, and Debt Review was set into motion. If you have financially over-extended yourself, this program is intended to offer help. It provides a means for restructuring your debt, with the eventual aim to be satisfactorily meeting outstanding financial commitments and credit agreements.

Debt Counseling is one option. This is sometimes called Debt Review. Originally, it was developed to help consumers who could not handle their credit agreements and basic living expenses. With this program, a debt counselor parleys with all the consumer’s creditors, for reduced monthly repayments. Once a debt counselor has established contact with these creditors, they cannot take legal action against you. On behalf of the consumer, the debt counselor negotiates with creditors. They work out reduced monthly repayments, as well as reduced interest rates. Debt counselors usually charge a fee.

Debt settlement is another option. This solution involves negotiating with creditors and credit card companies, to settle on an amount of money to be paid, to consider the account paid in full. Most creditors are willing to settle, even if they do not get all their money. They know that if bankruptcy is filed, they receive nothing.

Debt consolidation is another option to consider. This necessitates taking out a loan to pay off your consolidated debts. Usually this gives the consumer a smaller interest rate to deal with, and means there is just one monthly payment, as opposed to paying each creditor separately.

The biggest concern when you are in bond arrears, is repossession. An illness or layoff can easily cause a consumer to fall behind in their monthly bond payments. This can, and often does, result in the loss of property, as the bank will foreclose. One way to avoid foreclosure is to sell the property to creditors. At least that prevents it from undergoing repossession. It really is very important, especially in today’s financial climate, to be prepared for emergencies.

Repossession is the real concern, if you are in bond arrears. An illness or layoff can put you behind in bond payments, and that can mean you lose the property when the bank forecloses. You could sell your property to investors, which prevents it from going through repossession. In today’s economical climate, it really is very important to be prepared for emergencies.

One way to protect yourself is to get a Bond Payment Protection Plan. This type of policy protects and covers your bond payment, in the event of an unforeseen problem. So, if you are unable to make your payment because of illness or unemployment, the insurance company assumes the payment. If you make use of this option, check pertinent provisions in your policy. You will want to make sure you understand exactly what is covered, and under what conditions.

Susan Reynolds is a content coordinator a leading South African bond origination portal. For more information visit: http://www.bondcredit.co.za/