N.C. Justice Center Foreclosure Resources

Foreclosed Homes & Foreclosures

In fact, in the past seven years the number of foreclosure filings on homes and businesses has jumped 300 percent statewide. In Wake County, filings have risen 263.5 percent.

Carolyn Buie went through the horror of foreclosure. She didn't realize she'd signed a high-cost loan with high interest and fees. When Carolyn became disabled, the mortgage became too much.

"I have learned No. 1 not to ever do any real estate transactions without an attorney," she said.

"It's a very confusing process, you know, get a loan closing and you have 100 pages to sign," Peterkin said.

Confusion, mortgage fraud, creative financing, balloon loans, interest-only loans are some of the reasons why in seven years, North Carolina foreclosure filings are up 300 percent.

"That's terrible. That says to me there's something wrong with our system," Buie said.

An attorney helped Buie work through the foreclosure process and keep her home.