Tag Archives: christian lawyer

Short Sale Process

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Homeowners are often unsure of what options are available when they reach financial hardship. A short sale is an agreement by a mortgage lender to sell property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the buyer of the mortgage obligation.

A short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to avoid foreclosure. Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may help avoid the huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure causes. Additionally, short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property.

A short sale can be completed by finding a buyer to purchase the home who is willing to pay current market value, and having the mortgage provider agree to the sale. Any shortage after the sale will then either be written off by the lender and an IRS 1099 is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

The short sale process can be complicated, and the lender may not be willing to negotiate. It is important to know that a real estate attorney can help negotiate the sale and terms with the mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your sale is being handled by an accountable professional.

If you have legal questions regarding your short sale or you are considering your options, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

 

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Blick Law Firm Participates in Book Donation to Children in Need

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Blick Law

Blick Law Firm is hosting a Santa meet and greet to benefit needy children

TAMPA, FL. Dec.  21, 2012— Santa Claus is coming to town!  On December 21, 2012 Blick Law Firm will partner with Gracepoint, The Source for Wellness a nonprofit organization for the 500 Books N Bags program which  provides books to underprivileged children who are in need.

Blick Law Firm is helping Gracepoint collect books from the local community; and as an added incentive, those who show their support will receive free photos with Santa Claus!

Anyone who brings an approved book into Blick Law Firm between noon and 4 p.m. will get his or her picture taken with Santa and receive a light lunch. Please note that all books brought in must be chosen from the approved reading list indicated below. The following books are approved:

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael                                            Across the Universe by Beth Revis

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-galbis                         Hide and Seek by Katy Grant

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson                        Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante             Flip by Martyn Bedford

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods                   The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson                           Matched by Ally Condie

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby                           I will Save You by Matt de la Pena

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King                                              Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson                   Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

The Queen of Water (Mature Reader) by Laura Resau                    Stupid Fast by Geoff Herback

Happenstance Found by P.W. Catanese                                 Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison                                Recovery Road by Nelson Blake

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

To ensure that certain books aren’t purchased substantially more than others, Gracepoint has created an online wish list at www.tinyurl.com/gracepointbooksnbags.

Blick Law Firm will also provide a way for those unable to purchase a reading book beforehand to do so at the event, by computer.

“We are a Christian firm so we really think it’s important to give back to those less fortunate than us, especially around the holidays,” said Michael Blickensderfer, owner of Blick Law Firm.

Blickensderfer donates year round, as he contributes 10 percent of his profits to charities and missions in need.  In the past year Michael has donated either his time or money to the Children’s Cancer Center, Feeding Children Everywhere, and alike. In addition to being a helper to the community, Blickensderfer has 25 year’s legal experience and extensive trial and courtroom knowledge. Blickensderfer is a former Marine, former prosecutor and is licensed in Florida, New York and New Jersey.

The event will be at 4351 Gunn Highway in Tampa and it will be from noon to 4 p.m.  For any questions about the event follow Blick Law Firm on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/blicklawfirm or call Blick Law Firm (813) 931-0840.

About Blick Law Firm
Blick law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in personal injury, criminal and real estate law all across the state of Florida. The owner, Michael C. Blickensderfer, has over 25 years’ legal experience in Florida, New York and New Jersey. Blick Law Firms practice areas include criminal law, DUI/ Traffic, real estate transactions, loan modifications, short sales, foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, title insurance and real estate litigation. We also serve clients in personal injury, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls premises liability, dog bites, marine and aviation accidents and wrongful death. For further information regarding our legal services please visit our website at www.blicklawfirm.com.

* The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Copyright © 2010 by Blick Law Firm. All rights reserved. Disclaimer

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Foreclosure Properties: Common Buyer Mistakes

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Blick Law

Buying a foreclosed property is much different than a traditional home purchase. Certain repairs and defects often associated with foreclosed property may require significant and often overly burdensome cost and attention, so it is important to know what you are taking on. During the growth of the foreclosure problem in Florida, homebuyers across the State have been abundantly utilizing Foreclosure Auctions and Short Sales to purchase homes and property for costs well below market value.

However, when purchasing a home, especially in short sale or foreclosure auction, it is important to inspect the premises and discover any defects or structural deficiencies prior to closing on the home. Many times, homebuyers who purchase a short sale ignore defects and property deficiencies because the bargain is too good to pass up. Often, this creates problems that end up costing more than the bargain is worth.

Homebuyers tend to become so passionate about purchasing the real estate at such a lower cost that they refuse to accept the risks that can arise. Common mistakes include:

  • Ignoring property problems – Severe problems with the property may exist due to neglect, mold exposure, termites, and even vandals. Structurally, these homes may be in severe disrepair and even uninhabitable.
  • Ignoring legal and Insurance Information- Information that identifies any flood exposure or renovations and repairs made on the home is available to homebuyers and should be utilized to identify possible flaws and dangers that may exist on the property.
  • Failing to have the home inspected – Many buyers are so anxious to proceed with the acquisition of the property that they fail to have an adequate inspection of the premises conducted. Later, latent defects can become huge problems and the homeowner may incur exorbitant costs to repair the damages.

If you or your family are purchasing a home and have concerns regarding short sales or foreclosure auctions, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 and schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Probate and Simple Will

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Blick Law

With Thanksgiving just passing and the Christmas Holiday quickly approaching, most Floridians are preparing to spend time with family and gather together to relive old memories and catch up on lost time. Many families are faced with the uncomfortable thought of spending their last Christmas with grandparents or ill family members. It is important for every family to consider the importance of planning ahead for their relatives passing and ensuring that last wishes and health care decisions are carefully memorialized in writing.

A Will is a legal document that provides direction for how a decedent intends to distribute their assets upon their death. Many times, people avoid considering the different options available through probate out of apprehension of thinking about their own death.

When a person dies without a will they are said to have died intestate. The State will then follow the intestacy guidelines governing how to distribute intestate assets to heirs based on bloodline and relation.

Realistically, executing a Will for the disposition of one’s assets is an important part of planning the future of your estate. It is always better to have your intentions memorialized in an executed Will than have the State determine the disposition of your assets. Probate is the process of identifying and gathering the assets of the deceased person, paying their debts, and distributing the assets to his or her beneficiaries.

Many considerations must be made prior to setting forth the distribution of one’s assets following their death, and often times other legal documents are more suitable for particular situations. It is important to discuss your situation with an experienced Will, Probate and Estate Planning Attorney, and determine what is best for you be it a Will or Trust instrument.

If you or a loved has concerns or questions about the future of your estate, call Blick Law Firm today. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer today at 813-931-0840.

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Florida Real Estate Foreclosure Alternatives

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Blick Law

According to a report released last week by the California-based real estate data company, RealtyTrac., Florida leads the nation in home foreclosure rate for the second month in a row in October, with one filing for every 312 housing units. Florida’s rate is more than double the national rate of one in every 706 housing units, and this report confirms that Florida continues to struggle to recover from the recent housing crisis. Though indicators suggest that the housing market is improving, foreclosure still appears to be a significant problem.

If your property becomes subject to foreclosure, here are some potential remedies:

  • Reinstatement – To avoid the completion of the foreclosure process, you may be able to reinstate the loan by making payments on the past due amount. Generally, the lender will be cooperative if you bring your account up to date, or demonstrate that you now have the means to catch up on the past due payments.
  • Mortgage Modification – The lender may be willing to modify the terms of the mortgage. Modification of the agreement may involve adding payments to the end of the mortgage and simply extend the term of the loan. Modification of the mortgage agreement may also be made by reducing the interest rate of the original Mortgage Agreement, and it could include partial forgiveness of the amount of money you owe.
  • Forbearance Plan – As a borrower you may be able to file a forbearance plan with your mortgage provider. Under this arrangement, the lender will agree not to pursue the foreclosure action; but, the lender will likely require proof of adequate means to satisfy the repayment on the loan. This is generally a viable option if you have encountered a temporary setback such as poor health or loss of employment.
  • Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – You may also deed the home back to the mortgage provider if the lender agrees to accept a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure. The lender will take back the property and cancel the remaining debt. You will be unable to keep your home, but avoid foreclosure and minimize the detriment to your credit score.
  • Short Sale – To avoid foreclosure, you may also be able to sell your home for less money than owed. A short sale can be completed by finding a buyer to purchase the home and is willing to pay current market value, and having the mortgage provider agree to the sale. Any shortage after the sale will then either be written off by the lender and a IRS 1099 be issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

Foreclosure continues to be a growing problem in Florida, and if it happens to you, the worst thing to do is ignore it.

Call Blick Law Firm today @ 813-931-0840. Schedule an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with Attorney Michael Blickensderfer to see what your legal rights are in defending a foreclosure action.

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Short Sale: Questions and Concerns

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Blick Law

Homeowners are often unsure of what options are available when they reach financial hardship. A short sale is an agreement by a mortgage lender to sell property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the buyer of the mortgage obligation.

A short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to avoid foreclosure. Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may help avoid the huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure causes. Additionally, short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property.

A short sale can be completed by finding a buyer to purchase the home who is willing to pay current market value, and having the mortgage provider agree to the sale. Any shortage after the sale will then either be written off by the lender and an IRS 1099 is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

Beginning November 1st, 2012, changes were made to help streamline the short sale process including:

  • An expedited short sale approach for borrowers most in need.
  • Lenders will now have the power to quickly and easily qualify certain borrowers who are current on their mortgages for short sales.
  • Lenders will waive the right to pursue deficiency judgments in exchange for a financial contribution when a borrower has sufficient income or assets to make cash contributions or sign promissory notes.

The short sale process can be complicated, and the lender may not be willing to negotiate. It is important to know that a real estate attorney can help negotiate the sale and terms with the mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your short sale is being handled by an accountable professional.

If you have legal questions regarding your short sale or you are considering your options, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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