Archive for the 'Foreclosure Crisis' Category

Facing Foreclosure: Know Your Options

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

Another reason why the problem in the housing industry worsened is the hundreds of thousands of homeowners who failed to address their mortgage problems properly. Some of these distressed homeowners decided to ignore the calls and letters sent by mortgage lenders when they started missing their mortgage payments. Unfortunately, this kind of reaction will only aggravate their stuation.

Know Your Options!

If only they knew that there are actually several options that they could have checked out to solve their mortgage problems, they might have enjoyed the chance to fight for their homes. If you recently found yourself in the same boat as these distressed homeowners, here are some of the possible solutions to your financial woes.

  • Loan Modification – assuming that you are having difficulties with your mortgage payments because you could no longer afford them, you should probably speak with your lender about changing the terms of your existing loan. If the lender agrees, you will find yourself with a longer paying period, less monthly mortgage dues and if you are lucky, a fixed interest rate.
  • Re-financing – if you are in a situation where your credit history has not been blemished by missed payments, you can always consider taking out a new loan – one which you can afford to pay and with generally better terms.
  • Pre-foreclosure Sale – you will be surprised with the much buyer interest that homes in pre-foreclosure are generating. If you believe that you can no longer keep up with the payments and you have some equity left on the property, it will probably be wise to put your home in the market. Of course, you will have to make an effort to attract buyers, considering that you need to sell the property before the reinstatement period is up.
  • Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – this option is suitable for distressed properties whose market value is enough to satisfy the existing mortgage debt. You will definitely avoid a foreclosure entry in your credit report with this option but the agreement will still appear as a negative entry.

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Neighbors Suffer from Foreclosures

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

For homeowners who have been diligent in their mortgage payments and even their association bills, the foreclosure crisis may not be something you will be interested in. Sadly, the problems in the mortgage industry have no longer made these homeowners immune to the adverse effects.

Neighbors Suffer from Foreclosures

For instance, if you are living in a neighborhood, which has an increasing number of foreclosures, you can expect home values to drop. In addition to this, these foreclosure homes can also become eye sores especially if they have been abandoned and neglected for a long time.

On the other hand, homeowners living in an association-managed neighborhood will also suffer from the many foreclosures. In order to cope with the deficit created by these foreclosed properties, associations have increased assessment fees as well as association fees.

If not, the entire neighborhood will suffer. You can expect unkempt lawns, moldy walls and ill-maintained amenities. Sometimes, the association will also experience difficulties in paying utility bills. In other words, there is no money left to take care of these abandoned homes that drive down home prices.

The problem of most homeowner’s association can actually be observed nationwide and is not isolated to the small neighborhoods. Even large and affluent neighborhoods have been suffering under the weight of these foreclosure – related concerns. It is increasingly becoming difficult for these associations to maintain the high quality of service they usually provide.

In the end, the neighbors of these foreclosure homes are the ones experiencing the impact of the mortgage mess. Distressed homeowners are actually better off in a way since they do not need to worry about these things. Once the foreclosure has been completed, they can simply start anew.

Of course, the best solution is for the neighborhoods to come together and help these troubled borrowers avoid foreclosure. This way, everybody wins.

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Ed McMahon’s Mansion in Trouble Again

Monday, September 8th, 2008

Last month, news that Ed McMahon is facing foreclosure shocked the entire nation and showed how deep the foreclosure crisis really is.

Ed McMahon's Mansion in Trouble Again

With the publicity that the sad news has generated, it is not surprising that there will be buyers who will be interested in purchasing the celebrity’s mansion. There were actually two legitimate offers, one of which was Donald Trump. But the other buyer succeeded to outbid Trump, which meant that things are suddenly looking better for the 85-year old celebrity.

Sadly, the unidentified buyer failed to meet one of the conditions in the sales transaction, causing McMahon’s realtor to cancel the deal last week. And so, once again the announcer’s home is in the market. If the property is not bought within the reinstatement period, McMahon will likely lose his home to foreclosure.

It is still not known if Donald Trump will once again make a bid for the property. Last time, Trump wanted to enter into a lease-back agreement with McMahon. This agreement will allow the television host to stay in his home as a tenant and buy his home once again after a certain period.

McMahon’s realtor is confident that the distressed property will once again attract buyers. Considering that it will be sold at less than its current market value will certainly appeal to real estate buyers and investors.

Nationwide, millions of homes are expected to enter some stage of foreclosure by the end of the year, adding to the already large inventory of foreclosed properties in the market. Home sales have started to pick up in the last month while home prices continue to decline, making market conditions really favorable for buyers.

In fact, states hardest hit by the subprime mortgage mess are showing significant sales activities in its foreclosure inventories, clearly showing that these repossessed properties are generating much interest.

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HIV-Positive Tenants Worried About Foreclosures

Friday, August 29th, 2008

In New York City, it is not only the troubled homeowners and lenders who are experiencing stress from the rising foreclosure rate. Even tenants are becoming innocent victims, getting forced out of their homes or receiving threats of eviction. To make matters worse, some of these renters are HIV positive.

Continue Reading: HIV-Positive Tenants Worried About Foreclosures

Foreclosure and Family Pets

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

It is certainly not the year for American families. With the foreclosure crisis still enduring, many families are finding themselves unable to make ends meet because of the soaring prices of basic commodities and generally-weak economy. Those who are unfortunate to leave their homes due to foreclosure are also left with the problem of what to do with their pets.

Continue Reading: Foreclosure and Family Pets

Teens Suffer from Enduring Foreclosure Crisis

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

In the midst of the foreclosure crisis, teenagers are experiencing trouble at home especially when their parents are imposing measures that will allow them to pay their mortgage dues each month.

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Foreclosure Crisis Still Rearing Its Ugly Head

Friday, August 15th, 2008

It seems that the tough times in the market are still not over. If you check out the data gathered from the month of July, it shows that foreclosure filings increased by 8 percent from the previous month and 55 percent from last year of the same period. There is actually one out of 464 homes in the United States which has entered some stage of foreclosure.

Continue Reading: Foreclosure Crisis Still Rearing Its Ugly Head

Maintaining Foreclosure Homes with Fishes and Organic Pesticide

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

As abandoned properties continue to pepper the Florida neighborhoods, communities are having difficulties dealing with the many problems that this situation has brought including increased crimes, orphaned pets and of course, declining home prices. The latest concern is the increase in the mosquito population.

Continue Reading: Maintaining Foreclosure Homes with Fishes and Organic Pesticide

Attorney General Fights Foreclosure Injustice

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Last Wednesday, a lawsuit was filed by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal against Countrywide Financial Group for alleged violations of banking laws and consumer rights. If the case prospers, hundreds of Connecticut homeowners will probably get their homes back or receive enough monetary compensation that will allow them to purchase a house again.

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Foreclosure Rescue Bill: Will it Trigger Buying?

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Many real estate experts and analysts are comparing the present housing market condition to the housing crisis experienced during the Great Depression. With the large inventory of bank foreclosure in the market, declining home price index and sluggish home sales, it is easy to conclude that the nation is in the worst crisis experienced in the housing industry.

Continue Reading: Foreclosure Rescue Bill: Will it Trigger Buying?