Carol Jacob

Hello,
If one has received what is called a "thirty day notice", meaning one has 30 days to respond to the bank's attorney, this is usually the first notice of court foreclosure proceedings. If one reads through the document, I believe one will find that it states the recipient has 30 days to respond to the attorney representing the bank. If this is the case, one may contact their office and usually the paralegal will advise just to respond personally to them with the details of the situation/hardship. If you have an attorney, he can do this for you--for a fee. However, it is okay to contact them yourself. This is just an acknowledgement to the attorney representing the bank as I said above. HOWEVER, please allow me to state I am not an attorney, nor do I give legal advice, I am stating above a typcial scenario for the "30 day notice" if that is what was received. In my experience, I have worked with several people who are facing foreclosure and have most times successfully prevented foreclosure through selling or loan modifications for my clients. Each scenario is very diffierent as the documents, so if you would like to contact me, I would be happy to direct you to an attorney or how we can possibly save your home from foreclosure. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Carol Jacob, Signature Realty Associates, 813-679-3180. - Wed Sep 3 2008, 13:03

As with most of the answers you received, it is wise to rent in order to get a feel for the area and its various neighborhoods. Where you might be employed would have a bearing on where you might choose to buy. Just another rental thought: you can also rent an apartment (really easy to do, with the least move in money required) for seven months. This way, you are not tied to a 12 month lease but could extend your tenancy if you wish near the end of the lease. This is the most simple, the most convenient and incurs the least expensive move-in costs and is only a temporary stop on the way to finding where you really want to live. More than likely you will have a community pool and exercise room there as well, plus various events the leasing office holds which will get you acquainted with others living near you. Plus, if you have credit issues, the leasing companies are sometimes easier to work with than an individual owner, just because of the risk factor spread. Let me know if I can be of further help to you. Carol Jacob, Signature Realty Associates; 813-679-3180. - Tue Aug 12 2008, 11:42

Typically, when insuring a home, insurance companies will want the wiring updated in order to limit their risk. Perhaps you could contract with an electrician, provide a written estimate from them to rewire, place this amount in an escrow account at an attorney's office or title company's office, making it payable by them to the electrical contractor following completion of work. Otherwise, you may not get any company to insure old wiring. Good Luck! - Mon Aug 11 2008, 19:55

You may be pleasantly surprised to know that you can possibly purchase a home for as little as 3% down on an FHA loan. You may also be able to use "gift" money given from family to use as a down payment. As well, there is qualifying down payment asistance available thru City programs, County programs and State programs. Do shop lenders in your neighborhood and ask them about these items. You may also contact the FHA.gov website or your State Housing website for helpful housing and downpayment information. Good Luck! - Mon Aug 11 2008, 19:48