Can the bank come after me if I buy a house and then walk away from current house. I'm $70 K upside down.?

Of course they will come after you. You're kidding right?

You have been hit by a downturn and your house is worth less than you owe, so you think it is wise to walk away from that debt and buy a new house? and you think you're lendor will just ignore it and go on without suing you? You're kidding right?!?!?!?

I hope you don't have kids that you are teaching these values to.

Not to be sarcastic, but, it seems that if you make "Plenty of Money", then you should be able to pay that "Upside Down". The fact is that the bank will definitely come after you because number #1: Federal govt. money is insured, and you will be committing a crime. If I were you, I would sell the house, Hay, it is a buyers and sellers market-you should know that. My advice is to talk to a financial adviser. However, I do not think it would be a wise decision to pay for a house in cash, instead you should save all your money, pay off existing debts-if any and have about $10,000.00 available in your checking account as a down payment towards the new property. If you walk away from the current responsibility not only will you be in trouble with the IRS, your credit score will be decreased. To purchase a home a person has to be in excellent shape to own a home because a home owner is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the property.

It all sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Laws vary from state to state, but where I live, the bank would foreclose (including public notices in the local papers). If the foreclosure sale does not bring in the amount that is owed against it, they can come after you for the remainder, including getting a judgment against you and garnishing your wages.

The "7-year hit" is also much worse than you might think, since it doesn't just affect your ability to get credit cards. Nowadays, your credit rating is checked by employers, your insurance company, and lots of others. Also, there is no way that any lender would loan you money for the house you are planning to buy after you demonstrate that you are willing to just "walk away" when you get another opportunity.

RE-THINK THIS....PLEASE!!!

It seems to me that you are hurting yourself more than anyone else. If property values have fallen and your mortgage is bigger than the value of your house I'd stay where you are and hope things improve because it sounds like you can make the payments. Most people use money from the old house for a down payment and closing costs for the new house. I don't know what happens when the bank forecloses and you have other property.

If you have "great income" you can't file a true bankruptcy and would end paying it back anyway.

Short answer is yes, the bank can come after you.

And if they know of your "great income" they will sue you butt quicker than you could imagine.

Your "70k upside down" will turn into $80-100k, after they add realtor fees, tax liabilities, legal fees, foreclosure fees, etc.

Finally, you have no guarantee that your house would sell for $70k less, it may sell for $100k or more less. Banks are flush with homes and making deals left and right to get them off their hands.

Do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do.

Of course they would. But intentional foreclosures are becoming commonplace. CBS interviewed a woman the other night in your same situation. If you live in California they have no deficiency laws (CCP 580) so this can be done with almost no consequence to the homeowner. You're the one that has to deal with the consequences of walking away from it. If that doesn't bother you and you can get another house before the foreclosure affects your ability to get the other loan, go for it. I think this is going to be more common as the months go by.

YOu are so full of sh!t. If you pay cash for everything, why do you owe money on a house?

You need to do some research into the effects of foreclosure. Only an idiot would purposely ruin their credit.

Yes, the bank can come after you, even though you filed bankruptcy. The judge will make you pay monthly until the last penny is paid. That is the new law that started last year in October.

To me it sounds just down right dis-honest!

Hi. I am a man of my word. Please sell me this house that I promise to pay for faithfully.
Hi You can have it. I made a bad decision and feel you should be clean up my mess.

Now that is what our soldiers are fighting for.

Did you buy it with mortgage insurance.

YES the bank will come after you and so will the IRS.

Don't be lazy - rent this place out and use of your "great money".