Since the housing market crash, South Florida has experienced a string of ‘foreclosure waves.’ This is where foreclosure filings skyrocket, forcing a large number of delinquent homeowners out of their homes. After a foreclosure is final, the bank is granted ownership of the property. Ownership means the bank is legally responsible for the full amount of maintenance fees and partial fees during the foreclosure proceedings.
As a result of the foreclosure waves, a new trend has developed where lenders are opting not to pay their HOA fees. As a result, Homeowners Associations’ have been forced to increase maintenance fees and cut back on security, in some cases. Homeowners who have faithfully paid their bills throughout the recession are now suffering the consequences. Some of the HOA residents in South Florida are paying up to a 25 percent increase in HOA fees due to the banks’ delinquencies.
It appears that oftentimes lenders are remaining intentionally delinquent on their fees until the house is sold. After the house is off the market, lenders use the money from the sale to pay off the accumulated HOA fees. The rate of HOA foreclosure suits against lenders has recently increased and the trend is expected to continue throughout the rest of this year.
Banks and HOAs have been at odds for some time over who is responsible for the maintenance fees. Some banks claim they are not liable for the fees because they are only the ‘trustee’ for the legal owner. Homeowners Associations’ claim the banks are making their own rules.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/fl-hoa-foreclose-banks-20120810,0,5206219.story?page=1
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Month: September 2012
Homeownership Rate at Nearly a 50-Year Low
During the second quarter of 2012, the Census Bureau showed homeownership rates declined to 65 percent, the lowest since 1965. Rates reached a peak of 69 percent during the boom of the housing market in 2005-2006. The ‘real rate’ subtracts homeowners who will soon face foreclosure due to delinquent mortgage payments.
The ‘real rates’ display a more accurate image of the financial stance of the housing market, considering how many foreclosure proceedings are backed up in the court system. The adjusted figures only go back to 1991 due to lack of tracking delinquencies and foreclosures before this time. Since there have been no major declines in the housing market before 1991, Sean Fergus of John Burns Real Estate Consulting said he believes the pattern is also accurate of ‘real rates.’
To view a chart displaying the information and read more on this story visit: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-29/real-homeownership-rate-at-nearly-50-year-low#r=lr-fst
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Bankruptcy is an Option to Help You, Not Hurt You
For many Americans, the thought of filing bankruptcy is a very scary thing. So scary in fact, that many of them miss out on the positive changes and financial freedom filing for bankruptcy protection can bring. The first thing that happens when a person files for bankruptcy is an automatic stay will go into effect for all of their bills, which forbids creditors from harassing debtors.
Perhaps the most common worry among Americans when it comes to filing bankruptcy is the long-term effects it will have on their credit score. Many believe it is impossible to ever have a decent credit score, again. This could not be further from the truth. Almost immediately after a person is discharged of their debt, there are many steps available to rebuild their credit score. The person filing for bankruptcy is most likely delinquent on bills and already their credit score has suffered. Filing for bankruptcy protection can actually be the easiest way to improve an already troubled credit score.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamibankruptcy.com/blog/2012/08/afraid-of-bankruptcys-impact-it-might-actually-improve-your-situation.shtml
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 the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.