Foreclosures

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Decline Seen in Latest Foreclosure Filings

Posted on by Admin

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.

Please click here to read more.

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

Posted on by Admin

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

Posted on by Admin

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

Posted on by Admin

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

Posted on by Admin

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

Posted on by Admin

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.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Wave of Foreclosures and Evictions Expected as Federal Moratoriums Expire

Posted on by Admin

The federal moratorium on foreclosures and evictions officially expired over the weekend, leaving the legal system braced for an impending wave of filings. To offset the wave of foreclosure and eviction filings which will no doubt be on the way, lawyers and courts are finding creative solutions to the problem.  

The eviction moratorium was put into place as a way to help tenants and homeowners who were left with no income due to the coronavirus causing widespread shutdowns across the country.

President Biden has pushed on Congress to approve a one-month extension for all residential evictions. However, at this time, no federal congressional action has been taken to extend the moratorium. 

Foreclosures

Experts Warn of New Foreclosure Crisis in South Florida

Posted on by Admin

With the federal moratorium on evictions and foreclosures set to expire, housing experts are predicting a new foreclosure crisis in South Florida.

The crisis began for many last year as COVID-19 forced thousands of Floridians out of jobs. It was not until April 2020 when the Trump Administration and many states hit the pause on all foreclosure and eviction proceedings on federally backed loans. States and the federal government extended these moratoriums throughout 2020 and into 2021. These extensions allowed individuals to remain in their homes and postpone the foreclosure process. 

COVID-19, Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo Announce Plans Following Expiration of Mortgage Foreclosure Moratoriums

Posted on by Admin

As the stimulus programs put into place come to an end this year, many homeowners worry about what their futures will hold. Approximately 2.1 million homeowners are still utilizing these mortgage forbearance plans offered following the start of the pandemic, according to figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association, which means that many people are still set to be adversely affected once the moratoriums are lifted. 

Even more concerning, nearly 1.8 million families are not in forbearance on their mortgages but are at least 90 days delinquent on their mortgage accounts as of April 2021, according to data from Black Knight.   

COVID-19, Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Emergency Mortgage Relief Could Extend Through 2022

Posted on by Admin

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of homeowners have benefited from the mortgage relief programs offered by the federal government, and some private lenders.  Now that a year has passed, approximately 2.5 million homeowners are still enrolled in some sort of mortgage relief program, whether it be payment suspension or mortgage forbearance, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).  

It is for this reason that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) wants to extend these provisions and programs further into the future to ensure that these homeowners are not forced into foreclosure.