Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Florida Leads the Nation in Foreclosures

Florida led the nation with the highest number of foreclosures throughout 2012. One in 32 Florida homes received a foreclosure filing last year. However, according to RealtyTrac the housing market crash that began six years ago is winding down. The first six years of the housing crisis, Nevada held the number one foreclosure rate in the country. During 2012, Nevada fell to number two with one in 37 homes receiving a foreclosure filing. California and Utah both held top five spots during 2011 and both fell off the ‘top’ list last year, which suggests the Western states might be healing a bit faster than the East.

Foreclosures in Florida stalled during 2011 after the “robo-signing scandal” surfaced. They picked back up during 2012 after the $26 billion deal was signed in February between the five largest mortgage lenders and 49 state attorney generals. Since 2007, more than 91,000 homes have been foreclosed on in Palm Beach and Broward counties alone. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released new rules last week that are intended to protect consumers from risky mortgages and hopefully guard the economy from another housing market crash.

To read more on this story visit: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-realtytrac-foreclosures-year-end-20130116,0,684170.story?track=rss

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.

Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Florida Receives $3.6 Billion in Mortgage Relief

One of the largest consumer financial protection settlements occurred earlier this year and as a result, Florida homeowners received more than $3.6 billion in mortgage relief.  Between March 1st and September 30th, more than 309,000 borrowers across the nation received some sort of mortgage relief. According to a report by Joseph Smith who monitors the settlement, the average relief per homeowner was about $84,385. As of September 30th, approximately 48,998 Floridians have received relief. On average, Floridians received $73,663, which is about $10,700 less than borrowers in other states.
 
The settlement was between 49 states and the five largest mortgage lenders for a total of $26.1 billion. According to Smith, around $13.1 billion of that relief came in the form of short sales. Banks have cut homeowners’ mortgage balances nationwide by $6.3 billion as a part of the settlement. Refinancing home loans accounted for approximately $1.4 billion. Banks participated in trial loan modifications equivalent to $4.2 billion. Also, as part of the settlement, banks erased $2.6 billion in first-lien loans and $2.8 billion in second-lien loans.
 
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/19/3105335/distressed-florida-homeowners.html
 
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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Florida Holds Highest Foreclosure Rate for Two Consecutive Months

During the months of September and October, Florida’s foreclosure activity reportedly reached the highest in the country. In fact, during these months Florida’s rates were almost double the national average. According to RealtyTrac, one in every 312 homes was involved in the foreclosure process during this time. Nationally, only one in every 706 homes was going through foreclosure. During October, 28,783 Florida homes received a foreclosure notice.
Even though Florida had the highest foreclosure activity rate for two consecutive months, the state’s rates are actually down by 13 percent. In Palm Beach County alone, 1,418 new foreclosure cases were filed in September and 1,124 were filed in October. Experts believe that eventually the state’s foreclosure rates will reach a plateau.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.loansafe.org/florida-post-highest-foreclosure-activity-rate-for-2nd-consecutive-month
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. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Sarasota Home Builder Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Jim Butler, president of Paradise Homes, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection last Thursday. Paradise Homes is one of the builders for Lakewood Ranch community in Sarasota, FL. The company is in various stages of building approximately a dozen new homes. Butler filed for protection for two of his companies, Extreme Remodelers of Sarasota LLC and Paradise Lifestyle Center LLC. Butler is expected to have assets and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million.
Some of the homeowners are likely to bring in qualified builders as completion contractors, according to Attorney Alan Tannenbaum who represents two homebuyers. According to a representative from another builder for Lakewood, many homeowners are angry at Paradise Homes. Aside from the dozen homes currently under construction, 18 others are yet to be started.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20121026/ARTICLE/121029699/-1/news?p=2&tc=pg
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

Timothy Kingcade Posts

Positive Monthly Gains for Florida’s Economy

Recent increases in Florida’s home prices, consumer confidence and personal income are all signs of economic recovery, according to economists. In July, South Florida’s home prices saw a five percent increase since 2011. The rest of the country is experiencing the same trend, 16 of 20 major metropolitan areas showed an increase in home prices when compared to 2011. The improvement of the housing market and employee incomes has caused an increase in consumer confidence in Florida, now at its highest level in five years.
Although this is all good news for Florida, we still have a ways to go. There are 350,000 pending foreclosures in the court system. In August, Florida was ranked second in the nation for foreclosure activity and the home sale prices are still about 47 percent below what they were in 2006.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/real-estate/home-prices-confidence-incomes-all-rise/nSL4j/
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.

Credit, Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

$25 Billion Settlement with Banks Provides Payout to 167,398 Floridians

Attorney General, Pam Bondi announced last week that 167,398 Floridians will be receiving applications in the mail for a payout after losing their homes to foreclosure between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. The payout is a result of the $25 billion mortgage foreclosure settlement between 49 states and the five largest lenders in the U.S. Among the many agreements within the settlement, approximately $1.5 billion will go to two million Americans who lost their homes as a result of fraudulent foreclosure practices by lenders.
Borrowers have until January 18, 2013 to send in their applications for the payout. Applying for the payout is easy for those who are eligible. Borrowers simply have to sign the forms mailed to them and submit them by the January 18th deadline date. Borrowers are not required to prove any other financial hardship or give up any lawsuit rights in the future. Florida will be sending out applications until October 12, 2012.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.loansafe.org/florida-ag-pam-bondi-makes-announcement-that-victims-of-foreclosure-may-be-eligible-for-payment
For more information about eligibility visit: www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com
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 Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

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.

Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Mayor Fears Pensions May Bankrupt Titusville, FL

One of the many Florida cities facing financial hardship is Titusville, FL. Recently re-elected mayor, Jim Tulley, warned his city that without a reform of city employees’ pensions and other retirement programs, the city would ultimately go bankrupt. Workers unions, particularly representing police officers and firefighters, have been reluctant to agree to any form of restructuring of their pension plans after an earlier agreement promised them a better retirement, but lower pay.
As of October 2010, Titusville’s annual financial reports showed that unfunded liability in the Police Officers and Firefighter’s Retirement Trust had reached $25 million. The unfunded liability in the General Employee’s Retirement Trust had reached $19 million; not to mention, pension costs are going up. Other forms of retirement programs are costly as well, such as health insurance. The annual financial report showed the cost of other unfunded liability for retirees to be $44 million.
Titusville’s financial director, Bridgette Clements, said the city is not at immediate risk for defaulting, but must take precautionary actions for the future. Other cities throughout the country, such as Stockton, CA, have already gone bankrupt largely due to pricy pensions and other benefits for city employees.
After six months and no progress made in the negotiations, the city declared an impasse last week with police, firefighter and general employee unions. Mediators will now come in to help determine the best plan of pension reform for the city. The mayor said that without reform, the city’s residents will endure problems on a larger scale and the quality of life will go downhill.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120819/NEWS01/308190051/Mayor-Pensions-might-bankrupt-Titusville
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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

State of Florida Still Number One in Percentage of Mortgages in Foreclosure

According to CoreLogic, twelve percent of Florida’s home mortgages are in foreclosure, the highest percentage of any state in the nation.
In April, 66,000 foreclosures were completed across the nation, flat with the month of March and down from 78,000 in April 2011. The percentage of mortgages in foreclosure in Florida was down 0.4 percent from April 2011.
The five states that logged the most completed foreclosures for the year ended in April 2012 were California with 142,000; Florida with 92,000; Michigan with 60,000; Texas with 58,000; and Georgia with 57,000, CoreLogic said.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/30/2824533/florida-still-no-1-in-percentage.html#storylink=cpy
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, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Governor Gone Crazy

With Florida having the nation’s second-highest foreclosure rate and court proceedings taking an average of 638 days, the pressure has mounted for the state to eliminate courts from the foreclosure process. Supporters of the concept-which is used in nearly 30 states, say it will speed up the foreclosure process, get houses back onto the real estate market and boost the economy. Opponents say it puts property owners at the mercy of banks.

Governor Rick Scott, House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos are proponents of new legislation which will change Florida laws so judges will no longer be necessary in the foreclosure process. Florida is one of the 20 states that require all foreclosures go through the court system.
Even in states where judges are not forced to preside over foreclosure cases, property owners can take the proceedings to court. However, with the filing fee being nearly $2,000 in the State of Florida, that’s cost prohibitive for most people struggling to keep their home and their finances intact. Taking away individuals’ property rights is denying their ability to access the courts.

This has not been the first attempt to eliminate courts from the foreclosure process. In 2010, the Florida Bankers Association pushed unsuccessfully to change the state’s law so judges did not need to sign off on foreclosures. Representative Darren Soto, D-Orlando, who fought against the 2010 legislation, said he will fight again if it returns in 2012.

To read more on this story visit:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/rick-scott-gop-look-at-taking-courts-out-of-florida-foreclosure-process/1192603

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.