Archive for the 'Stop Foreclosures' Category

Homeowners Facing Foreclosures Find Protection with New Proposed Bill

Monday, December 1st, 2008

A new bill is being proposed by Democratic lawmakers to correct anomalies in the Bankruptcy Code to include provisions for modification of family home loans that will protect families from foreclosures and keep them in their homes.

The bill has been put forward by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. together with Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sanchez as a move to help homeowners in danger of foreclosures.

Both Democratic legislators have been dismayed with the poor turnaround and impact by the two government programs already put in place to combat foreclosures. The Housing and Urban Development’s Hope for Homeowners program did not attract the projected amount of lenders and homeowners to participate.

Hope Now, the collaborative program by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, failed in stopping the increase in foreclosures, which continued to multiply in numbers with millions still in the danger zone. According to them, mortgage modification programs being put forward would actually result in homeowners to owe more that would eventually led to further default and foreclosures.

The financial bailout package called Troubled Asset Relief Program was expected to support homeowners in preventing foreclosures, and yet was diverted to providing relief to banks and financial institutions. This caused further dismay to the legislative body which lost further trust in these entities who promised a resolution to the crisis that they created.

In response, they are putting forward this new bill that will work for a modification of the homeowner’s loan but will be under the supervision by the DOJ and a trustee. The loan should still be paid by the family, but the courts will be empowered to cut down exorbitant interest rates.

Rights to the collateral will still be under the lenders for their own protection and will be provided with extra interests as an incentive and protection in case the family falls into default once more. The future is looking grim for these families, and unless actions are done immediately, it would all be too late.

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Neighborhoods Can Prevent Foreclosures from Affecting Community

Friday, October 24th, 2008

As the problems in the housing industry continue to trample on the nation’s economy, there is an increasing number of communities that are becoming affected by the large inventories of foreclosure homes. With a national foreclosure rate of one filing for every 475 homes, it can only be expected that home value in recent months have declined considerably.

Neighborhoods Can Prevent Foreclosures from Affecting Community

According to experts and analysts, the high foreclosure rate will naturally affect home values in any neighborhood. Since most of these repossessed properties are abandoned, they certainly affect the neighboring property’s curb appeal. Keep in mind that neighborhoods sell a particular lifestyle and with a foreclosure marring the view; it could really cause buyers to get turned off.

Neighborhoods which are having problems with these foreclosure homes should understand that it will take a conscious effort to make sure that home values do not decline further because if these repo homes.

One of the first things that can be done is to contact the agent or broker in order to trace the bank that owns the foreclosure home. Once the bank is identified, the neighborhood can put a pressure on the bank to assign a property manager or at the least, check the condition of the property. Of course, this is only possible if the foreclosure process has been completed and the bank has complete ownership.

If the banks refuse to take any action, neighborhoods can check with the code enforcement division of the city’s building department. If it was found that the distressed properties are hurting the entire community, the said division can impose a fine on the bank who owns them.

Worse case scenario is for the neighbors to launch a “neighborhood improvement program”. This could involve mowing the lawn, boarding up the windows and cleaning the pool. In any case, doing these things will certainly benefit everyone.

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New California Legislation: Will it stop foreclosures or just delay them?

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

In California, distressed homeowners will be able to have a fighting chance against foreclosure ever since the passing of the new state legislation Senate Bill 1137. The said law requires the mortgage lender or servicer to contact the troubled homeowners in order to discuss their mortgage problems. The attempt to communicate will then be recorded and attached to the Default Notice.

Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the new state legislation Senate Bill 1137

Since the implementation of the new state legislation, the foreclosure filings have declined dramatically. In some cities, filings dropped by as much as 80 percent.

Although this would seem good news, many analysts consider the decline to be misleading.

Analysts are saying that the decline in foreclosure filings does not mean that the mortgage problems are being solved. In most cases, it is just a matter of paper work. Even if the records are showing that fewer homes are entering the initial stage of foreclosure, it could only mean that the filings are just being delayed. And eventually, they will catch up unless the lenders change their policies on mortgage loan modifications.

In addition, there would seem to be no evidence that the lenders are considering negotiating with the troubled borrowers. For instance, the number of Trustee Sale in the state has been rising. If the lenders have been working hard to keep these homeowners in their homes, this should not be the case.

It is also not surprising that lenders are having a hard time agreeing to a loan modification since most of the borrowers in trouble have two or more mortgages. This certainly makes negotiations more difficult and complicated.

As of August, California has the second highest foreclosure rate in the nation with one filing for every 130 households. Compared to last month, the foreclosure rate has actually increased by 40.73 percent. Nationwide, foreclosure rate remains to be high, with one filing for every 416 households.

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Rent to Own to Avoid Foreclosure

Monday, September 1st, 2008

One of the options that distressed homeowners explore in order to avoid foreclosure is to sell their home. But sadly, this option is quite challenging since looking for a buyer in this tight housing market is next to impossible

Continue Reading: Rent to Own to Avoid Foreclosure

Foreclosure 101: The Eviction Process

Monday, August 25th, 2008

One of the things you would like to consider when in the business of foreclosure investing is eviction. There are certainly situations when the owner or tenant of the foreclosed property that you have bought has not yet left the premises. Before this becomes a problem for you, you might want to brush up on [...]

Continue Reading: Foreclosure 101: The Eviction Process

Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Save on Home Repair Costs

Monday, July 28th, 2008

For troubled homeowners, one option that can be explored in order to avoid foreclosure is to sell. of course, this is easier said than done considering the tough market. but if you are really keen on attracting potential buyers, it would help if you spend some of your money on home repair projects that could improve your home’s value and appeal.

Continue Reading: Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Save on Home Repair Costs

Avoiding Foreclosure in these Tough Times

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

The joy of owning your very first home can never be surpassed. But if you are not too careful, you might find yourself in a fix and lose your home to foreclosure.

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Avoid Foreclosure by Avoiding Unscrupulous Mortgage Brokers

Friday, June 6th, 2008

In Fernandina Beach, Florida, 83 year old Willie Mae Johnson was surprised that the home she has lived in since 1949 was now up on the foreclosure block. Because she did not know why she ended up in this situation, she immediately consulted a lawyer.

Continue Reading: Avoid Foreclosure by Avoiding Unscrupulous Mortgage Brokers

No Real effective action being taken to stop foreclosures

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

One of the reasons for a high default rate of loans by homeowners is the price decline. According to the Fed Chief, the best thing to do is find solutions to stop foreclosures as it will be in everyone’s best interest. There has been a wave of bank foreclosures sweeping the country starting in the first quarter of 2008 itself. Such a rapid increase in the number of government foreclosures has caused heavy losses for several lending firms and financial institutions apart from the fact that it is causing an unprecedented decline in the real estate and home prices across the country. What the current situation demands are concentrated government effort as well as assistance from the private-sector. This was a remark made by Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Continue Reading: No Real effective action being taken to stop foreclosures

Proposed New Jersey Bill Seeks to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosures

Friday, March 14th, 2008

Citing the effects that real estate foreclosures have not only on individual homeowners, but on communities, local economies and other people at large, New Jersey state officials are attempting to pass bills to help homeowners avoid foreclosures and hang on to their homes.

Continue Reading: Proposed New Jersey Bill Seeks to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosures