Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Florida Homeowners Struggle to Pay PACE Home Improvement Loans

Florida homeowners who have financed home improvements through help of an energy loan program are now struggling to pay back those debts. The program, named Property Assessed Cleaning Energy, also known as PACE, is a financing program used to fund improvements to property owner’s homes in Florida over the past three years.

PACE is offered only in three states throughout the country. For some South Floridians, the PACE program has been a blessing, but it has unfortunately ended up being more of a curse for many of them as they struggle to pay back their loans. This money meant the ability to install a new roof, solar energy systems, an air conditioning system or even hurricane-resistant impact windows. Through PACE, all of this would be financed with nothing down and no credit check. The applicant simply would need to show that he or she had equity in the home, had a good history of making mortgage payments on time, and could show that he or she had enough money to make payments on the PACE loan.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How quickly can you refinance your Mortgage after Bankruptcy?

The rules have changed over the years regarding how quickly you can refinance a mortgage after bankruptcy. If you are underwater on your mortgage, meaning your mortgage is more than the current value of your home, your only refinance option will be through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). The earliest you can take out a new mortgage guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac following a bankruptcy is two years.

Freddie Mac’s guidelines say, the “waiting period” for reestablishment of credit after a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is 48 months from the dismissal date, but this period is only in effect if the bankruptcy was “caused by financial mismanagement.”

If the bankruptcy was due to illness, income loss, etc. and not due to overspending, the period will be 24 months from the discharge date. Fannie Mae has similar rules in effect of two years from the discharge date or four years from the dismissal date.

If you are unable to meet Fannie or Freddie’s guidelines, you may be eligible for an FHA-backed refinance. You will need to document “one year of the pay-out period under the bankruptcy has elapsed, that your payment performance has been satisfactory and all required payments have been made on time, and you have received written permission from the bankruptcy court to enter into the transaction.”

This one-year waiting period is thanks to the “Back to Work Program.” Here’s how you qualify:

  • You meet all the typical FHA loan requirements;
  • You can properly document the issues that led to your financial hardship;
  • In the last year you have re-established your credit;
  • You have completed HUD-approved housing counseling.

What about refinancing while you are still in bankruptcy? For starters, the bankruptcy court will need to grant you permission to take on new debt. To be able to proceed, you will need to file a motion with the court. Although described differently in each court district, you are essentially filing a “motion to incur debt” or “motion to refinance secured debt.”

Start by working with the attorney who handled your bankruptcy filing, they will be familiar with your case and know the motion paperwork needed in your district.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

10 Items you ABSOLUTELY Need to get a Mortgage

Many people believe that owning a home is unattainable after filing for bankruptcy. But in fact, the average waiting period from mortgage lenders after filing for bankruptcy is just two years. As long as you stay on top of your payments and do not accrue more debt. Below is a laundry list of documents you will need to start a mortgage application.

1.) A valid driver’s license which verifies your identity, compliant with the Patriot Act.

2.) Secondary ID’s (a passport or social security card) as support for number one.

3.) Your most recent pay stubs for a period of one month.

4.) W-2 forms from employers for the past two years to prove employment and earnings history.

5.) Signed federal tax returns (with all pages and schedules) for the past two years.

6.) Most recent bank and asset statements (all pages) for a period of two months.

7.) Fully executed contract for the property you are buying.

8.) If refinancing, a copy of your deed.

9.) Name, address and phone number of your landlord

10.) Name, address, phone, fax numbers and email address for your attorney

Click here to find more tips to be approved for a mortgage.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on Kingcade & Garcia, P.A..