Tag Archives: tampa real estate attorney

Foreclosure and Short Sale

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Blick Law

Foreclosure is the process by which a lender attempts to recover the unpaid balance of a loan after the borrower discontinues payments. Foreclosure allows the lender to force a sale of the home in order to satisfy the remaining balance of the loan.

In Florida, if you have received a foreclosure summons complaint, you have 20 days to answer in order to avoid a default judgment being issued against you. Once your home is threatened by foreclosure, it is important to seek legal advice and explore what options may be available.

For many homeowners, a short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to avoid foreclosure. 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. 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.

Though a Short Sale may be an available option to avoid Foreclosure, it is a complicated process, and sometimes the lender may not even be willing to negotiate with you. It is important to consult a real estate attorney  who can offer you peace of mind that your potential foreclosure is being defended by an accountable professional.

If you or a loved one are being threatened by Foreclosure or have legal questions regarding a Short Sale or other potential legal remedies, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

Posted in Blog, Foreclosure Defense, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tampa Bay Red Light Traffic Camera Fines

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Blick Law

In 2010, the legislature passed the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, named after a Bradenton man who was killed by a red-light runner in 2003. The Act authorized the use of Red Light Cameras to record footage of motorists running red lights and then issuing violators a traffic citation accordingly.

Conflicting studies on the effectiveness of the Red Light Cameras have produced inconclusive results, but proponents of the cameras insist that the legislation saves lives. However, Florida drivers across the state have fought against the constitutional validity and overall effectiveness of the cameras asserting that the purpose of the cameras is solely to increase government revenue.

Nonetheless, Courts across the state have upheld the validity of the legislation and are enforcing the fines against drivers found in violation. Each ticket is a hefty $158, but no points are assigned to the driver’s record.

If you have been issued a citation for violating a photo enforced red light and have questions concerning your rights, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

*** For your reference: the following link is a map of all red light camera locations in the Tampa Bay Area, provided by my Fox Tampa Bay.

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law, Personal Injury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foreclosure Auctions and Short Sales: Common Buyer Mistakes

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Blick Law

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.

When purchasing a home, especially in short sale or 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.

Posted in Blog, Foreclosure Defense, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Short Sale Common Questions

Posted on August 27, 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.

Posted in Blog, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bank of America is offering up to $30,000 for short sale

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Blick Law

Bank of America released a press release Tuesday, May 15th, announcing the launch of a nationwide program offering delinquent homeowners more assistance with relocation expenses upon the completion of a qualifying short sale.

Qualifying borrowers could receive anywhere from $2,500 to $30,000 in cash upon the close of a short sale. The amount of assistance provided under the new program is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the value of the home, amount owed and other considerations not clarified in the press release.

Bob Hora, an executive in home transition services for Bank of America, stated that the company is committed to providing alternatives to foreclosure whenever possible. This program will benefit homeowners when all other home retention offers have been exhausted.

To see if you qualify for the relocation assistance payments under the new program, call Blick Law Firm today.  The short sale must be initiated by the end of the year and close by Sept. 26, 2013.  If you have already started a short sale process and have not closed, you may still be eligible for this program. 

Bank of America is currently the only bank offering this program to its homeowners.  While it is available nationally, the greatest response is expected from borrowers in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida and the other states hit hardest by the housing market.

Posted in Blog, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are you struggling to pay your mortgage?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Blick Law

Have you fallen behind on your mortgage payments?  Is your home now worth less than you owe on the mortgage? Are your payments and interest sky high and unaffordable? Are you facing foreclosure? Has your lender denied you assistance?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, call a Loan Modification attorney immediately to see if you qualify for a loan modification program.

A Loan Modification is a permanent change in one or more of the terms of a Borrower’s loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the Borrower can afford. *This is not a short sale or refinance program.

Loan Modification programs have been initiated to provide the homeowner, who has experienced financial hardship, options to reduce the interest rate or principal balance of their home loan, or both. These programs make monthly mortgage payments affordable according to the homeowners financial situation in order for the homeowner to remain in their home.

Why hire a lawyer to assist with your loan modification? Struggling homeowners may benefit from hiring a lawyer to try to modify a mortgage or avert foreclosure, and avoiding being caught up in scams, saving overall costs of fees as well as time wasted. With a lawyer you may have a better chance to quickly and accurately get your home approved and modified.

Some homeowners try to take this challenge on themselves and while successful at times, it is a battle to win when it comes to dealing with lenders. Lenders deal with many struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments every day. Trying to work with the lenders directly may absorb much of your time. Those who have the assistance of a loan modification lawyer are more likely to get responsiveness from the lender; pushing your loan modification documents aggressively through the piles of other pending approvals.

With the help of Blick Law Firm, we will screen you to see if a loan modification is your best option and if so assist you to get your loan modification approved. Call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840 and ask about your modification options!

Posted in Blog, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment