Foreclosures

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Tax Implications Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Encounter from the CARES Act

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The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has thrown countless Americans into a financial tailspin. Many consumers were pushed out of jobs and put into the position where they are not able to pay the most basic of living expenses, including mortgage payments, to stay in their homes. As the pandemic continues, these homeowners are now put in a terrifying position, facing the real possibility that they could lose their homes.

At the start of the pandemic, lawmakers worked hard to try to keep Americans from facing this possibility by passing the CARES Act. One major part of this stimulus package was the ability for borrowers who carried federally backed mortgages to request a forbearance for up to 180 days on their loan obligations. The hope was this measure would give distressed homeowners breathing room and a chance to stay in their homes during this time of financial difficulty. If needed, borrowers could then request an additional 180 days of relief.

COVID-19, Foreclosures, Kingcade Garcia McMaken

Evictions Pile Up as DeSantis’ Moratorium Set to Expire in Florida

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Both landlords and tenants are waiting with bated breath to see what will happen when it comes to the current moratorium on evictions in Florida. With the hold on evictions set to expire at the end of this month, no official statement has come from the Florida Governor’s office regarding whether Gov. Ron DeSantis intends to extend the moratorium through the end of September. In the meantime, the number of eviction cases are piling up, waiting to proceed once the freeze on evictions is lifted.

The moratorium on evictions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic originally took effect on April 2, during the height of the epidemic. As the hold on evictions now enters its fifth month, landlords are demanding the stay be lifted, allowing them to proceed with business, while tenants are requesting the hold on evictions be extended, giving them additional breathing room to get back on their feet during this difficult time. However, many landlords argue that the individuals taking use of this moratorium do not actually need the assistance but are simply taking advantage of the statewide ban.

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Governor DeSantis Issues Amended Executive Order on Foreclosures and Evictions

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The statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has been extended via an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. However, critics are questioning the language within the order itself as to just what it means for Florida residents facing evictions or foreclosures.

The executive order was signed and announced on July 29. However, the amended language in this new executive order does not prevent all evictions and foreclosures like the previous one did.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Florida Homeowners Struggle to Pay PACE Home Improvement Loans

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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.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Federal Ban on Foreclosures and Evictions Extended through End of August

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As the coronavirus has put hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work, many are struggling to pay necessary living expenses, including rent and mortgage payments.  At the start of the pandemic, many states, as well as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a temporary ban on foreclosures and evictions to help alleviate this burden.

This week, the FHFA has announced that they will be extending this ban on foreclosures and evictions through at least August 31.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief Extended by Governor DeSantis

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The order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis offering Floridians facing eviction or foreclosure relief has been extended through July 1, 2020. The order was issued at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to help individuals facing financial stress. Given that the economic fall-out from COVID-19 is ongoing, Governor DeSantis has extended this relief into mid-summer.

This news comes at a good time, as unemployment is still at a record high. Florida’s unemployment system has still been failing many who have applied for benefits. Thousands of individuals are still waiting to receive their unemployment so that they can pay necessary living expenses, arguably the most important of these being rent and mortgage bills.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Scams to Beware of

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When someone is at risk of losing his or her home, that person may be willing to take any offer, even one that sounds too good to be true. Many foreclosure scams exist, built on false promises and deception. It is important that consumers be aware of these scams and recognize the red flags in advance.

While the types of foreclosure scams vary, they do have one thing in common. They are built on false promises, and prey on financially distraught homeowners who fear losing their homes. These companies swoop in and take advantage of someone when they are at their most vulnerable and are desperate for any type of assistance.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Steps to Take to Keep Your Home and Avoid Foreclosure

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When someone is facing a difficult financial situation, one of the main concerns that person may have is losing his or her home. If a person is not able to pay day-to-day expenses, one of the biggest bills that will go unpaid is the mortgage bill. However, if the mortgage is not paid on time for more than 180 days, the lender may decide to proceed with a foreclosure action. The key is to respond quickly to avoid losing your home through foreclosure.

Foreclosure Defense, Foreclosures

Foreclosure Rates in U.S. Dip to a 20-Year Low

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 The national foreclosure rate has fallen to the lowest levels seen in two decades following housing reports from July 2019. Financial experts believe this drop is due to a stronger job market and a lower unemployment rate.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low of 3.5 percent as of September 2019 with 136,000 jobs being added to the market. In addition, the hourly earning for all employees has gone up 2.9 percent from the prior year. As Americans have more money to spend, the chances of them falling short of meeting their monthly expenses also goes down.

Foreclosures

Reverse Mortgages: Thousands of Florida Homeowners at Risk of Foreclosure

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Thousands of Florida seniors are facing foreclosure, even homelessness due to being stuck in reverse mortgages now going into foreclosure. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), nearly 15,000 Florida seniors out of the 85,000 currently holding reverse mortgages are at risk of losing their homes.

A reverse mortgage is also often referred to as a home-equity conversion mortgage. Reverse mortgage lenders normally target individuals over the age of 62 who are living in homes with larger amounts of equity. The reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to borrow against the equity in his or her home. Instead of monthly mortgage payments, the balance only becomes due when the borrower dies, moves away from the home permanently or sells the home.