A new look at foreclosures and mediation

A new look at foreclosures and mediation The Florida Supreme Court and Florida’s banking industry agree there’s a logjam of foreclosure cases clogging the state’s circuit courts, but they disagree on what to do about it. The Supreme Court issued an order in December mandating each foreclosure case go through mediation before a judge can …

Refinancing fails to hit potential

Refinancing fails to hit potential The refinancing wave that swept the nation when mortgage rates hit historic lows last year is petering out, leaving behind millions of homeowners who could not qualify for the best rates. Half of the nation’s borrowers have mortgages with rates above 6 percent, even though the average rate on 30-year, …

Second jury finds fault with controversial foreclosure rescue deals

Second jury finds fault with controversial foreclosure rescue deals In 2005, Thomas Cook told 68-year-old Yolanda Rodriguez that the St. Petersburg company he worked for could help save her home from foreclosure. Instead, Garco Inc. got the deed to the house, and Rodriguez, who was evicted, lost as much as $200,000 in equity. But on …

Homeowners rent out rooms to stave off foreclosure

Homeowners rent out rooms to stave off foreclosure Reeling from the recession’s one-two-three-punch of job woes, climbing mortgage payments and evaporating equity, desperate homeowners are dipping into a nearby income stream to avoid foreclosure: That bedroom just down the hall. While renting out a room has been around for years, especially in the California’s Latino …

Foreclosure mystery: Why can’t conservative Utahns afford their mortgage?

Foreclosure mystery: Why can’t conservative Utahns afford their mortgage? During the housing bubble, they led the nation in bankruptcies. Now that the bubble is bust, they’re among the top states in foreclosures. A RealtyTrac report released Thursday showed they had the fifth-highest foreclosure rate among the states, with 1 in 231 homes receiving a foreclosure …

How to Compete Against Foreclosures

How to Compete Against Foreclosures Want to know the big secret to selling a home quickly? Make it look pretty. Patrick McAllister and his wife Lisa Cox had an edge in that regard. Their 1917 Craftsman house was beautifully renovated with hardwood floors and bright, airy rooms. Carefully chosen artwork hangs on the walls. In …