Homeowner associations block guests

Homeowner associations block guests Melissa Solis said she understands that she can’t use her community pool or clubhouse because she’s late paying her homeowner-association fees. But it’s unfair, she said, that security guards at the gated entrance to her neighborhood prevent her friends, family, babysitter and even the delivery man from Winter Garden Pizza Co. …

Loan modifications: Waiting for Bank of America to offer another loan modification

Loan modifications: Waiting for Bank of America to offer another loan modification – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com I first talked to Yvonne McBride-Acosta of Sunrise in October. Her situation was bad. Since then, it has gotten worse. Back then, I wrote about her here-it-is, there-it-goes loan modification. She had qualified for one in July 2009, but …

Around Tampa Bay, foreclosure means never having to leave [Central Florida]

Around Tampa Bay, foreclosure means never having to leave [Central Florida] When his lender started to foreclose in 2003, Jeffrey DeĀ­Mauro appealed for time to resolve his financial problems. “I sincerely want to work this situation out and get back on track and save my home,” DeĀ­Mauro wrote to Pinellas County court officials. “I have …

Mortgage, tax bills ultimately come back to haunt walkaways

Mortgage, tax bills ultimately come back to haunt walkaways While foreclosures and loan modifications have made it tough for overwhelmed banks to go after walkaway borrowers, there’s evidence they are starting to crack down. Lenders are hiring collection agencies. They also are getting deficiency judgments — court orders that allow banks to collect on mortgage …

Desperate condo, homeowner groups given new way to grab overdue fees

Desperate condo, homeowner groups given new way to grab overdue fees Revenue-starved condominium and homeowners associations struggling to keep the taps running and the lawns mowed have found a novel way to squeeze money from units that don’t pay what they owe. It’s called a reverse foreclosure, a tool that can force banks to pay …

Richard White: Reserves help associations, owners plan for the future

Richard White: Reserves help associations, owners plan for the future Q. I live in a small HOA. In November our board approved the budget for 2010. It included funds for painting, but the painting is not scheduled for three years. The funds are being placed in a line item called reserves for the use of …