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State, local officials say help is available, but you have to ask for it
By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Saturday, Oct 04, 2008
Ninety-year-old Addie Polk's problems serve as a reminder that there are resources to help homeowners going through foreclosure, government officials and consumer advocates said Friday.
''This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation,'' said Cara Keithley, chief of communications for the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Keithley said borrowers who are having problems paying their mortgages should not procrastinate.
''Help is available and it is important to take action to save their homes,'' Keithley said.
Agencies within Ohio earlier this year launched a Web site and information hot line for homeowners and renters.
The ''Save the Dream'' information can be found at http://www.savethedream.ohio.gov or by calling 888-404-4674. The trained representatives can guide homeowners to local resources, including housing counselors, legal services and community agencies.
Dennis Ginty, Department of Commerce spokesman, said it's never too late to call.
''A call can come in extremely late in the process and through intervention by the state of Ohio or a housing counselor, that sheriff's sale can be stopped. Certainly, we encourage people to work with their mortgage servicer earlier,'' Ginty said.
Too often, people who have run into problems paying their mortgage ignore notices, said Cynthia Sich, director of the Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs.
''Just because you get the letter . . . all is not lost. The courts have implemented — not just in Summit County but the state of Ohio — foreclosure mediation programs through the court. If you answer within 28 days of receiving the document, you can ask for the foreclosure mediation,'' Sich said. ''You still have opportunities to save your home.''
In cases where the home can't be saved, the eviction is not immediate, Sich said.
''The sheriff will give notice and at that time, you can save money before vacating the property,'' she said. ''They don't pick you up and throw you out. They really do work with homeowners.''
Typically, homeowners are given 10 days from notice to leave the home, but that can vary, Sich said.
Sich said the tragedy surrounding Polk, who apparently shot herself as deputies were knocking on her door with eviction papers, should encourage people to talk about finances with family and friends. But sometimes pride gets in the way.
The Ohio attorney general's office has begun targeting scam artists trolling public foreclosure suits in what is called ''foreclosure rescue.''
''They'll contact you and say, 'I can get you out of this foreclosure. Pay me $550 up front and I'll make it go away.'
''[Homeowners] don't have the $550, but they pay them and they don't do anything,'' said spokeswoman Michelle Gatchell.
Homeowners want the foreclosure to go away, she said, but ''it just can't happen overnight.''
Troubled homeowners should be proactive.
''Don't panic and run from a notice,'' she said. ''There's a possibility you can work through this and keep your house. It's never going to happen if you're not talking to people.''
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
Ninety-year-old Addie Polk's problems serve as a reminder that there are resources to help homeowners going through foreclosure, government officials and consumer advocates said Friday.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 09:43 AM, 10/04/2008
Age disrimination may be illegal and all, but I would still question the sense of "a thirty year loan to a ninety year old woman" thing someone mentioned in one of the other articles about this today.
Posted 08:38 PM, 10/04/2008
Kevin can't answer you Jack, his break is over and he has to use both hands so he can push his broom around the floors at the burger joint all night.
Posted 09:00 PM, 10/04/2008
Repub nazis never debate...they attack the meesenger and avoid the message...its FAUX news training...like potty training...only with more poop
Per the article... ''The sheriff will give notice and at that time, you can save money before vacating the property,'' she said. ''They don't pick you up and throw you out. They really do work with homeowners.''
HOMEOWNERS BEWARE... some banks are sending agents out before they file for eviction with the sheriff... the agents state they are there to change the locks and any belongings left in the house will be thrown into dumpsters... they are doing this (illegally) months before the sheriff's sale date... and the agents are lying to the occupants by stating that the occupants have been legally evicted (only the sheriff can evict occupants)... the Akron police do not understand foreclosure proceedings and have tried to get some homeowners to allow these agents to change locks on houses... (they tried this with me)... you can say no to the agents and police and not allow these agents from the bank on your property if they have not evicted you through the proper legal means (sheriff's office)... don't let the bank evict before they have the legal right to...
