What is the purpose of a foreclosure?

The purpose of a foreclosure is to sell property that has been used as security for a debt when the borrower defaults on their loan obligations. In this context, foreclosure serves as a legal process initiated by a lender to recover the outstanding debt by forcing the sale of the collateral, which is the property itself. When a borrower fails to make timely mortgage payments, the lender has the right to file for foreclosure, which ultimately allows them to liquidate the asset to recover the owed amounts. This process is crucial for lenders to minimize their losses and maintain the financial integrity of their lending practices.

The other choices reflect different scenarios that do not align with the specific legal and financial context of foreclosure. Selling property voluntarily pertains to transactions where the owner willingly places their property on the market; transferring ownership of property to heirs relates to estate planning and inheritance rather than financial distress; and resolving zoning disputes involves land use regulations and governance, which are not directly related to foreclosure proceedings.