For homeowners who are struggling to afford their monthly mortgage payments, ‘mortgage to lease’ or ‘deed for lease’ is an option for a select few. Fannie Mae introduced a rent-back program in 2009, and this year, both Bank of America and CitiMortgage announced that they would try a similar approach in a handful of markets. The programs are basically an extension of what’s known as “deed in lieu of foreclosure.” In this process, the lender agrees not to foreclose if the homeowners simply hand over the deed to their property.
The new element is a rental option: after relinquishing the deed, homeowners who meet certain requirements may sign a lease to stay on as renters for one to three years (depending on the lender). This option is a good fit for families seeking to stay in their homes and keep their children in the same school district. Borrowers benefit because a deed-in-lieu looks better than a foreclosure on a credit report, and outstanding mortgage debt is forgiven.
To qualify, applicants must not be more than 11 payments past due on their mortgage, and must be able to pay fair-market rent without spending more than 31 percent of their gross income. Properties with second mortgages are ineligible, as are properties in areas where zoning or homeowners’ associations prohibit rentals. The condition of the property is also a factor.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/realestate/mortgages-the-rental-alternative-to-foreclosure.html?ref=foreclosures&utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=InChargeInsiderMarch&_r=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.
Foreclosures
Walking Away from your Underwater Mortgage Becoming More Socially Acceptable?
Five years after the mortgage crisis and the housing bubble burst, more Americans are deciding that it’s okay to walk away from their underwater mortgage payments. In a recent survey conducted by JZ Analytics for ID Analytics, 32% of more than 1,000 respondents said they “believe homeowners should be able to strategically default on their mortgages without any consequences.”
Today, there’s obviously still a social stigma to walking away from an underwater home, given that the other two-thirds of respondents didn’t find it acceptable. In addition to shame and guilt, people also have to face a sense of loss, since most people are emotionally attached to their homes. There are practical considerations, too: the stress of being hounded by collectors, the knowledge that you are ruining your credit, and the possibility of being sued by the lender.
There is also community pressure to avoid foreclosure. Defaults can hurt nearby property values a 2010 study revealed. Despite all of this, attitudes have clearly changed. The idea that only ‘deadbeats’ default on their mortgage payments is a thing of the past. The ID Analytics survey found that 17% of Americans know someone who has strategically defaulted on a mortgage. What’s more, many people now recognize that companies are often able to declare bankruptcy and either shed or restructure their debts without long-term consequences.
To read more on this story visit: http://business.time.com/2012/10/15/is-the-stigma-of-ditching-your-underwater-mortgage-fading/?utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=InChargeInsiderMarch
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.
Economists Forecast Growth in 2013
Economists are hopeful for a modest growth in 2013 as the housing market continues to stabilize. The economy saw a 2.2 percent growth during 2012 and economists expect a 2.1 percent growth rate during 2013. Although it is a good sign for economic recovery, it is at such a slow pace that it will not have much effect on the unemployment rate. Economists from the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) say they expect the unemployment rate to level off next year to around 7.7 percent.
Economists have seen a slight stunt in economic growth during the October-December quarter and believe Hurricane Sandy is the cause. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the country’s output of goods and services has sharply declined during this quarter. However, if we go over the fiscal cliff in two weeks, this will likely cause even more damage to the economy. Economists say their anticipated growth rate is based on the hope that the federal government will find a solution to avoid tax and spending cuts.
NABE expects the growth in 2013 to include:
• 165,000 jobs added to the job market
• The inflation rate to increase 1.8 percent
• A 75 percent increase in long-term interest rates
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/17/3145564/economists-forecasting-moderate.html
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.
South Florida’s Average Mortgage Balance Dropped $3K in a Year
According to CreditKarma.com South Florida’s average mortgage balance has dropped $3,000 since last year. Average debt in November 2011 in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties was $198,150 and dropped to $195,274 in November 2012. This is a sign that the economy is slowly improving in South Florida. Credit card debt has also dropped since 2011, on average more than $1,000 per consumer.
Palm Beach and Broward County mortgage banker, Adam Cohn said he has noticed that clients are trying to pay down their mortgages before refinancing. Cohn also said he has seen some couples take out of retirement to pay down their mortgages. The fact that homeowners have become more cautious with their money shows they have learned a lot from their financial mistakes during the recession. The average mortgage amount for new homeowners in South Florida is approximately $200,000.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/blogs/money-sense/sfl-mortgage-balance-drops-20121211,0,6625974.story
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.
House Speaker Proposes ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Negotiation with President Obama
Last week House Speaker John Boehner proposed an increase on income tax for American’s making more than $1 million per year. Boehner said he would agree only if President Obama would agree to federal spending cuts. With a little more than two weeks until the fiscal cliff, Republicans are showing signs of flexibility on income tax rate increases for the upper class that they initially dismissed. Before Friday, Boehner publicly insisted that new revenue should come through closing loopholes and limiting deductions.
Experts say this is a good sign that the White House and the House of Representatives are serious about negotiations to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. If a deal is not met by December 31, 2012 spending cuts and tax increases will automatically go into effect. As a result, the U.S. will hit its debt ceiling by mid-February.
To read more on this story visit:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/16/167413853/boehner-floats-tax-rate-hike-for-highest-earners
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.
Allen Iverson Faces Foreclosure on Atlanta Mansion
Former NBA superstar, Allen Iverson, is fighting to keep his Atlanta, GA home out of foreclosure. Iverson filed a lawsuit against the mortgage company claiming that he did not consent to the loan and that his estranged wife is the one to blame. Iverson defaulted on $1.2 million of his $5.4 million mortgage. His home was scheduled to be sold at auction on December 4th.
Iverson is in the midst of a messy divorce with his wife. He alleges that his wife signed off on the mortgage without his consent and purposely agreed to terms he could not meet in an effort to get back at him. As a result of Iverson’s lawsuit, the foreclosure proceedings have been placed on hold.
To read more visit: http://www.christianpost.com/news/iverson-fights-foreclosure-former-nba-star-allen-iverson-blames-estranged-wife-for-default-86357/
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.
South Florida Foreclosure Sales Skyrocket
During the third quarter of 2012, foreclosure sales skyrocketed according to recent data from RealtyTrac. Foreclosure sales in Miami-Dade County jumped 43.9 percent from the second to the third quarter this year. Since the third quarter of 2011, foreclosure sales rose 21.8 percent. Broward County foreclosure sales jumped 38.9 percent since the second quarter of 2012. RealtyTrac’s Daren Blomquist said the trend is happening throughout most of the state.
The collected data includes the sale of both bank-owned properties and also short sales. Foreclosure-related sales accounted for 32.5 percent of all home sales in Miami-Dade County during the third quarter. These sales accounted for 25.2 percent of all home sales in Broward County during the third quarter. Statewide, foreclosure sales jumped 47 percent from the second to the third quarter.
To read more on this story visit: http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/12/08/foreclosure-sales-continue-to-rise-across-south-florida/
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.
Florida Homeowners Eligible for Payout from Mortgage Settlement – Claim Deadline: January 18, 2013
As a part of the $25 billion national mortgage foreclosure settlement, Florida homeowners who lost their homes between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011 are eligible for a portion of the settlement. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that those borrowers have until January 18, 2013 to file a claim. Qualified homeowners have been mailed forms they can simply fill out and send in to receive payment. Attorney General Bondi is urging everyone to complete these forms as soon as possible. Payment checks will be mailed out in mid-2013.
To be eligible for a payout, borrowers must have had mortgages serviced by one of the following banks: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, JPMorgan Chase or Ally. Across the nation, approximately two million borrowers are scheduled to receive a payout as part of the settlement and $1.5 billion has been set aside for these payouts. The amount of the payout will depend on the number of borrowers who claim their payment. If you did not receive a form in the mail but believe you may be eligible, contact the settlement administrator at 1-866-430-8358.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.news-press.com/article/20121129/NEWS01/121129007/0/pbcs.dll/Florida-borrowers-who-lost-home-foreclosure-until-Jan-18-claim-settlement?odyssey=nav%7Chead
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.
HUD Offers Relief to Hurricane Sandy Victims
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced its plans to help the residents along with the state and local governments in Virginia who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Along with FEMA and other organizations, HUD will provide assistance and resources for homeowners and low-income renters who are struggling as a result of the storm and may lose their home. President Obama issued a disaster declaration for 28 Virginia counties. These will be the counties that will receive the aid from HUD. HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan announced that the Department will help provide foreclosure relief for families with FHA loans and assist in any other way they could.
HUD will allow those counties in critical condition the ability to re-allocate millions of dollars in funds toward disaster relief. HUD also granted all foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures a 90-day forgiveness period for FHA insured homes. HUD has also made insurance available through FHA for mortgages and home rehabilitations. In addition, the Department will offer loans to state and local government for the economic development of damaged communities.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.loansafe.org/virginia-storm-victims-receiving-foreclosure-protection-from-hud
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.
What You Can Do to Own Again After Foreclosure
After foreclosure, many people feel that it is impossible to ever own a home again. However, if you take progressive steps you can become a homeowner, again in a relatively short amount of time. For some this can take up to seven years, for others it can take as little as three years. One of the best things you can do after foreclosure is to reflect on the financial mistakes that led you there. If you are able to learn from the financial mistakes made on your first home, you are likely not to repeat them with your second home.
Your next and most important step is to work on building your credit score. The foreclosure process will damage it- but only temporarily if you play your cards right. While you are waiting to buy again, pay off your debts, cut off unnecessary spending and start saving. Chances are, you will have a little more money each month than you are used to having; however rather than spending it, learn to budget it.
Your last step is to be honest and communicate with your bank, creditors, lenders, family, etc. about your financial situation. When you reapply for a mortgage, be honest with your lender and tell them exactly what happened with your last home. Tell your lender the steps you have taken to have a better experience with this home. If you make all of these steps forward, you should have no problem owning another home.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/11/29/how-to-get-back-in-game-after-foreclosure/
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.