South Florida Archives - FREE CONSULTATION

Debt is Hitting Home for Many in South Florida as Interest Rates Continue to Rise

Posted on February 16, 2023by Admin

More consumers are racking up credit card debt at a pace not seen in decades as interest rates rise and inflation continues to pervade the economy. Many consumers in South Florida are struggling to manage this debt and as a result are in a vicious cycle that they cannot seem to escape.

Total credit card debt was on the rise towards the end of 2022. According to TransUnion, the average credit card user carried a balance of $5,805 over the last three months of 2022. This number is up 11 percent (11%) from 2021.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

South Florida Trails in Consumer Debt

Posted on December 12, 2013by Admin

A recent report from Equifax concludes that a lack of mortgages is what has lead to a decline in consumer debt in South Florida. Debt is down by 4.2%, the greatest drop among the country’s 25 largest metropolitan areas. Out the 25, six posted gains in consumer debt as more people took out mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit following the housing market crash.

Experts say that when it comes to credit card balances and other household debt, the South Florida region has a noticeably smaller share of debt tied to residential real estate. Florida’s large number of foreclosures has significantly effected the rankings since bank seizures essentially wipe out a consumer’s debt on a property. Experts also attribute this to the large number of recent cash purchases in South Florida’s real estate market. These type transactions, that do not create mortgage debt, could also be skewing the numbers.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy 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 website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

South Florida Falls to Number Three in National Foreclosure Rankings

Posted on May 29, 2013by Admin

According to RealtyTrac Inc., Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties fell from number one to number three in the foreclosure rankings. One in every 269 homes in the tri-county region was in some stage of foreclosure last month, RealtyTrac reports. South Florida had 9,127 total filings in April, up slightly from a year earlier, but new cases declined by 35 percent, said Daren Blomquist, a spokesman for RealtyTrac. More than 24,600 Florida homes were in the process of foreclosure last month, down slightly from a year earlier, according to RealtyTrac. Florida had the top foreclosure rate for six months in a row until being surpassed by Nevada in March.

The decline can be attributed in part to lenders getting caught up with delayed foreclosures and banks pushing through the backlog. Florida lawmakers have also passed a bill that would speed up the foreclosure process, forcing homeowners to respond more quickly to filings and giving homeowners’ associations more power in process. Opponents of the bill argue that it will strip homeowners of their rights and favors the banks, who have been accused of engaging in questionable foreclosure practices.

Click here to read more about South Florida falling to number three in the national foreclosure rankings along with new legislation aimed to speed up the foreclosure filing process in Florida.

Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. 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 website, www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

South Florida Families Struggle with High Cost of Living

Posted on May 7, 2013by Admin

According to a recent report by the Center for Housing Policy, approximately 41 percent of the low to moderate-income households across the three South Florida counties are spending more than half of their incomes on housing. Financial experts recommend families devote no more than 30 percent of their paycheck to housing costs. Although the economy in South Florida has shown signs of recovery in unemployment rates and lower home prices, the rental market and lack of salary growth are keeping housing costs high across Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties.

According to the 2011 U.S. Census data, some of the factors contributing to high housing costs include:

• Property owners taking control of the rental market.
• Former homeowners not qualifying for mortgages because of poor credit.
• Some would-be buyers either not having enough money for a down payment or facing a shortage of properties for sale.

Click here to read more about South Florida families struggling with the high cost of housing.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Nearly Half of South Florida’s Children Living in Poverty

Posted on February 13, 2013by Admin

A recent study done by the U.S. Census Bureau suggested that 44 percent of South Florida’s children are living in poverty. The study consisted of Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and showed that more than half a million children under the age of 18 live in low-income households. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University, a single mother with one child that makes an annual income of $30,260 or less is considered a low-income household.

South Florida was one of the hardest hit areas in the country during the recession. The median household income fell 14 percent in five years, according to Census data. The median household income in Broward and Palm Beach counties fell to approximately $48,900 in 2011. Also, the number of people on food stamps in Broward and Palm Beach counties has almost tripled since 2007. Families in South Florida have reportedly cut $10,000 out of their budget in the past two years. Younger parents have been hit the hardest since they typically earn less than older parents. South Florida’s poverty rates are consistent with the nation’s average, because approximately 45 percent of children under the age of 18, nationwide, are living in low-income households.

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

South Florida Foreclosure Sales Skyrocket

Posted on December 12, 2012by Admin

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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Mortgage Rates Fall to New Lows

Posted on November 21, 2012by Admin

The housing market continues to show signs of recovery as average rates on fixed mortgages fell to new lows last week. Freddie Mac released that the average rate on 30-year loans fell to the lowest rate since 1971 at 3.34 percent. The rate was down from 3.40 percent the following week. The average fixed mortgage rate on 15-year loans was down from 2.69 percent the previous week to 2.65 percent last week.
Home prices, home sales, home construction and refinancing have all slowly increased this year. The Federal Reserve announced that tight lending standards have slowed down the economy’s recovery process. Chairman, Ben Bernanke said the banks were forced to raise their standards in 2008 after the housing market crashed. He went on to say that if banks would loosen lending standards now that things are improving, the economic recovery would speed up by boosting home sales.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/15/mortgge-rates/1706975/
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

South Florida’s Unemployment Rates Drop to 2008 Lows

Posted on November 20, 2012by Admin

South Florida recently experienced its lowest rate of unemployment since 2008. The combined unemployment claims dropped eight percent during October from the previous year. However, South Florida experienced declining rates of as much as 25 percent during the beginning months of 2012. In Broward County, October’s first-time unemployment was down 12 percent from a previous three-month average. In Miami-Dade, October’s rate was down five percent from the previous year. Another positive sign for the economy is that job growth rates increased during the month of October.
Although the numbers are rising for the job market and unemployment filings are down, economists are disappointed the recovery is not at the speed it was during the end of 2011 and the start of 2012. Many believe the presidential election slowed down the job growth because companies were hesitant to hire during the campaigning process.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/14/3097754/unemployment-claims-lowest-since.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.

Foreclosures, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Big Banks Face Foreclosure to HOAs in South Florida

Posted on September 19, 2012by Admin

Since the housing market crash, South Florida has experienced a string of ‘foreclosure waves.’ This is where foreclosure filings skyrocket, forcing a large number of delinquent homeowners out of their homes. After a foreclosure is final, the bank is granted ownership of the property. Ownership means the bank is legally responsible for the full amount of maintenance fees and partial fees during the foreclosure proceedings.
As a result of the foreclosure waves, a new trend has developed where lenders are opting not to pay their HOA fees. As a result, Homeowners Associations’ have been forced to increase maintenance fees and cut back on security, in some cases. Homeowners who have faithfully paid their bills throughout the recession are now suffering the consequences. Some of the HOA residents in South Florida are paying up to a 25 percent increase in HOA fees due to the banks’ delinquencies.
It appears that oftentimes lenders are remaining intentionally delinquent on their fees until the house is sold. After the house is off the market, lenders use the money from the sale to pay off the accumulated HOA fees. The rate of HOA foreclosure suits against lenders has recently increased and the trend is expected to continue throughout the rest of this year.
Banks and HOAs have been at odds for some time over who is responsible for the maintenance fees. Some banks claim they are not liable for the fees because they are only the ‘trustee’ for the legal owner. Homeowners Associations’ claim the banks are making their own rules.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/realestate/fl-hoa-foreclose-banks-20120810,0,5206219.story?page=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.

Bankruptcy Law, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Student Loan Defaults Increase Nationwide

Posted on July 19, 2012by Admin

The Sun-Sentinel reported that across the nation, former students are defaulting on their federally backed student loans at rapid rates. In return, the government is filing lawsuits against former students who default on these loans. The report also stated that more than 4,300 lawsuits were filed across the country against former students who defaulted on their loans in 2011. South Florida reported that 183 lawsuits were filed against residents in 2011 that were unable to make their student loan payments.
Across the state, federal statistics reflect that more than 19,000 residents have defaulted on their student loan payments in the past two years; approximately 1.7 percent more than the national average of those who began repayment in 2009. The number of lawsuits and defaulted loans are expected to continue climbing due to unemployment rates.
Many former students struggling financially are choosing to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to relieve some of their debt. Although student loan debts are non-dischargeable through bankruptcy, this is a primary way for former students to avoid a lawsuit.
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.