Foreclosure Defense

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Zombie Properties Increase as the Number of Foreclosures Climb

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The number of homes abandoned by their owners just before foreclosure has continued to increase for a second consecutive quarter in 2022, as the number of foreclosure cases continue to rise. These types of vacancies are commonly referred to as “zombie homes” or “zombie properties.”

According to real estate data provider, Attom, a total of 7,707 residential properties facing foreclosures have been vacated by their owners in the third quarter of 2022, increasing by 1.8 percent from 7,569 from the prior quarter. These numbers are up 2.2 percent from 7,538 vacated in the prior year. This increase represents the second consecutive quarterly increase in the number of zombie properties.

COVID-19, Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Filings are up 132 Percent from 2021

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The number of foreclosure filings is up by more than 132 percent when compared to 2021. According to statistics from Black Knight, the number of active foreclosure cases involving homes that have begun the foreclosure process on a seriously delinquent loan, went up by over than 7,000 cases in March 2022. This increase is the first one seen in a year-to-year comparison in over 10 years.

Additionally, more than 78,000 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing during the first quarter of 2022. This figure is 39 percent higher from the previous quarter and 132 percent more when compared to one year ago, according to figures from ATTOM. Black Knight also reports that the number of serious mortgage delinquencies, mortgages that are 90 days or more past due, are 70 percent higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

How Long Does a Foreclosure Stay on Your Credit Report?

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Many times, consumers facing a foreclosure fear what the proceeding will do to their credit scores. Will a foreclosure prevent them from receiving financing in the future? Will it hurt their chances of purchasing a home again in the future?  While the effects of foreclosure can be far-reaching, it does not mean that all hope is lost for that person ever owning a home, again.

The good news is that even though a foreclosure will almost certainly have a negative effect on a person’s credit score, rebuilding your credit score can start immediately after.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Filings Increase Following End of CFPB Restrictions

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Foreclosure filings reported in January 2022 were up by nearly 30 percent from a month prior and up by over 139 percent from a year ago, according to figures from the U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. A total of 23,204 U.S. properties were reported as having foreclosure filings.

The fact that foreclosure filings were on the rise does not come as a surprise for financial experts who have been keeping an eye on the housing market. Normally, foreclosure filings slow down around the holidays, picking up again after the first of the year. However, this year, the filings were a little more than in previous years, showing more of a spike in filings than a slow increase.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Decline Seen in Latest Foreclosure Filings

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A decline in foreclosure filings was seen at the end of 2021, according to figures from the ATTOM subsidiary, RealtyTrac. According to their study, released in RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure Market Report, foreclosure filings were down five percent from the previous month.

Despite this fact, the 19,479 properties with foreclosure filings in November 2021 was up 94 percent from the previous year. This increase represents the seventh consecutive monthly increase when comparing 2020 filings with 2021.

This news comes four months after the federal foreclosure moratorium was lifted and forbearance plans ended. Housing experts were concerned that a wave of foreclosures would be hitting the courts, but this monthly decline seems to indicate otherwise.

RealtyTrac reports that foreclosure activity slowed down as 2021 came to a close. An initial surge may have been seen after the moratorium was lifted, this activity did slow down eventual across the U.S.

ATTOM reported which states had the highest foreclosure rates for 2021. States with the highest foreclosure rates included Illinois, Florida, Ohio, Delaware, and New Jersey. Florida reports one foreclosure filing for every 3,319 units. Of the metropolitan areas surveyed, three areas in Florida reported a high rate of foreclosures. Lakeland, Florida reported one foreclosure filing for every 2,345 units. Ocala, Florida reported one filing in every 2,485 units, and Miami, Florida reported one foreclosure filing for every 2,626 units.

Housing experts are optimistic with these new figures, claiming that despite the fact that governmental programs to prevent foreclosures have lapsed, the aid received through these programs have prevented many homeowners from falling into foreclosure.

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Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between keeping your home or losing it in foreclosure. A well-qualified Miami foreclosure defense attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Miami 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

South Florida Foreclosure Filings Increase in the Third Quarter

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South Florida foreclosure filings increased during the third quarter of 2021, shortly after the federal moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures were lifted. Housing experts anticipate that this upward trend could continue well into the fourth quarter of 2021.

The moratorium on foreclosures expired for most homeowners on July 31, 2021. It was created in an effort to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, now that the moratorium has been lifted, many mortgage lenders are moving forward with foreclosure proceedings.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures, Housing Market Trends

Mortgage Debt Remains a Problem for Homeowners 55 and Older

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Homeowners throughout the country have struggled with staying afloat and remaining in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. With no immediate end in sight to the pandemic, it appears as if that problem will continue, especially those in the 55 and older age group.

The U.S. Census Bureau reviewed household statistics through its biweekly Household Pulse Survey to see how homeowners are faring with remaining current on their mortgage obligations. Their most recent study covered the period of September 1 through September 13, 2021. According to the Census Bureau, 1.7 million homeowners ages 55 or older were reportedly behind on their mortgage payments. Of these 1.7 million homeowners, 277,000 of them said that the possibility of facing foreclosure was likely or very likely for them.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Moratorium Expires, Leaving 1.45 Million Homeowners in Serious Delinquency

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Even though mortgage delinquency rates have fallen by five percent since May, a record 1.45 million homeowners are seriously delinquent on their mortgages, according to figures from Black Knight.

The number of delinquencies has improved for 12 of the last 14 months, with only two increases in delinquencies reported. However, delinquency volumes have continued to increase to the point of pre-pandemic levels. According to Black Knight, around 1.45 million borrowers are at least 90 days delinquent on their mortgages as of the end of July. This stage of the process is known as a late-stage delinquency, meaning the borrower is not in foreclosure but is dangerously close. Black Knight reported that this figure was one million more than at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these borrowers are still working with their lenders on forbearance plans.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Filings Increase First Month After Moratorium Is Lifted

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Foreclosure filings have increased, just one month after the moratorium on foreclosures and evictions was lifted, according to data from ATTOM. Foreclosure filings have increased 27 percent nationwide. When compared to where these numbers were in August 2020, foreclosure filings in August 2021 were 60 percent higher.

ATTOM estimates that a total of 15,838 properties received a foreclosure filing during August 2021, whether it be through a notice of default, a bank repossession, or a scheduled auction.

COVID-19, Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Supreme Court Ends Eviction Moratorium

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The U.S. Supreme Court ended the pandemic-related federal moratorium on residential evictions imposed by President Biden’s administration. This eight-page decision effectively ends a debate that has divided party lines for months now during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling came down in a 6-3 decision, the court similarly divided along party and ideological lines.

The eviction moratorium was declared by Congress at the start of the pandemic. However, Congress’s moratorium expired in July 2020. The CDC then extended it by issuing a series of moratoriums under a 1944 law. The moratorium has consistently been extended, giving tenants and homeowners an opportunity to remain in their homes.

Landlords have consistently fought the moratorium, arguing that the longer it has been extended, the more they have suffered financially without any legal recourse.

The majority opinion stated that they believe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exceeded their authority. They claim the CDC has relied on a statute that is decades-old that authorizes the CDC to implement emergency measures, such as fumigation and pest extermination, not a nationwide months-long moratorium on evictions.