In uncertain economic times, many people find themselves unable to make their mortgage payments. Whether the mortgage is on a primary residence or vacation home, defaulting on a mortgage can have serious consequences for the homeowner. The repercussions of defaulting vary by state and province and by country, and can affect a homeowner for years to come, so he or she must fully realize what defaulting on a mortgage means to financial security and status.

There are specific repercussions involved in defaulting on a Spanish mortgage. In past years, it was possible to default on a Spanish mortgage with little to no loss at all to the homeowner. People who were not Spanish citizens but owned a vacation or second home in Spain could default on the mortgage with little or no cost or repercussions. But now Spanish mortgage holders can and do pursue every legal means necessary to collect on their mortgages.

If you find yourself unable to avoid defaulting on your Spanish mortgage, the bank may agree to take the home back. This simple option will save the homeowner a lot of money in court costs and additional interest on the home loan. But although this is an option, it must first be discussed with the bank. The bank can to agree to accept the home back, but they do not have to. They will be rather unlikely to take the home back without good reason such as a hardship. If your spouse dies or your income has dropped due to another cause that is no fault of your own, the bank may consider that a valid hardship and allow you to turn in your keys to the home.

If you cannot negotiate a home turnover with the bank that holds your Spanish mortgage, you will need to sell the home as soon as possible. You should try to get as much from the home sale as you can, as you will still be responsible to the bank for any shortfall between the home sale amount and the remaining amount on your Spanish mortgage. They are more likely to do so if the shortfall is large. They will attempt to collect the remaining amount they are owed in any legal way they can. The bank may collect money by placing liens on any and all assets of the homeowner. This may take years to do, but the bank will not give up without getting their money.

Even if defaulting on your Spanish mortgage is inevitable, you should work with the bank as much as possible as soon as you know you must default. Working with the bank that holds your Spanish mortgage can result in a fair settlement that benefits both you and the bank with as little impact on your other assets or financial holdings as possible.