Florida Housing, Foreclosure and Finance Resources

For the third quarter in 2009, Florida ranked 4th among all states in foreclosure rate, a decrease of  0.71 % from the second quarter, yet a rise of 23.27% from the same quarter last year. Nationally, it was the worse three month period in US history, with 937,840 homes receiving a foreclosure letter.

You don’t have to lose your home if you live in the sunshine state. Below is some guidance on default and foreclosure prevention.

• Steps to take - act now if you think you will be unable to pay your mortgage
• HUD-approved housing counseling agencies - local agencies that provide free foreclosure avoidance counseling
• (888) 995-HOPE - free foreclosure prevention counseling on the phone or online
• Florida Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act of 2008 - do not give money to anyone promising to help you avoid foreclosure without a written agreement and until all services are completed
• Avoid foreclosure rescue scams
• Responding to a foreclosure summons and complaint - self-help information from Legal Services of Greater Miami about foreclosure and other topics
• Legal assistance
• Florida Attorneys Saving Homes | intake form
• Local government/community-based agencies - some offer foreclosure prevention assistance; contact your city or county housing and community development office
• Florida Attorney General’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force - report fraud, access current investigations, announcements, and tips
• Florida Office of Financial Regulation - check out a financial institution, file a complaint, read consumer alerts and tips
• Predatory lending
• Financial planning resources

If you are unable to reach your servicer or local state program, or if you would like additional assistance in this process contact Mortgage Outreach at 1-866-408-0420. Mortgage Outreach works directly with many servicers to help find solutions for borrowers that are struggling to keep up with their payments.