Faces of the Downturn: Foreclosure crisis creates heartache, opportunity [South Florida]

Faces of the Downturn: Foreclosure crisis creates heartache, opportunity [South Florida] It was a motley crew that arrived at the Fort Myers courthouse, and it had one thing on its mind — profit. Men and women wedged themselves into a windowless second-floor room and spilled into the neighboring jury room. They mingled in baseball caps, …

Margate condo eviction: Residents at complex face eviction over water bill

Margate condo eviction: Residents at complex face eviction over water bill Dozens of residents at the Atlantic Palms condominium complex could be evicted from their homes within two weeks if they’re unable to pay a city utility bill of more than $7,000. Margate officials say more than 60 of the 76 units at Atlantic Palms, …

Housing crisis: Lenders expected to sue homeowners for repayment of mortgage debt

Housing crisis: Lenders expected to sue homeowners for repayment of mortgage debt Before Larry Thomas unloaded his Pompano Beach home last fall for a fraction of what he paid, he cut a deal that will keep him from worrying about a huge debt hanging over his head. Thomas insisted that his lender, American Home Mortgage …

Are unpaid dues protected in bankruptcy?

Are unpaid dues protected in bankruptcy? Q. Is the debt of an uncollected homeowners association annual dues assessment considered a “secured debt” when filing a Proof of Claim if the owner files for bankruptcy, since it involves real estate (vacant land or land with a home)? Or is it just an unsecured debt? Creditors of …

Drywall maker settling with builder [Central Florida]

Drywall maker settling with builder [Central Florida] Chinese drywall maker Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. has reached an agreement to settle with Atlanta-based national home builder Beazer Homes, according to three people familiar with the matter. “Nothing has been finalized, but we’re hoping we’ll have something to comment on in the next couple days,” Buster …