Helpful resources and upcoming events

PLEASE NOTE: OUR WEBSITE HAS MOVED.

For the latest videos, news and resources updated through 2012 - visit the new Foreclosure Task Force website .




FREE FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE WORKSHOP - MAY 19th

Free Foreclosure Assistance Workshop

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) Office – 1455 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples FL 34109

Sponsor: Collier County Foreclosure Task Force, a grassroots pro bono initiative promoting foreclosure prevention since 2008 through education and intervention

Are you looking for answers to foreclosure related questions? Join us at the Free Foreclosure Assistance Workshop to learn about alternatives to foreclosure, including loan modifications, short sales, Deeds in Lieu of foreclosure – and the steps you can take to save your home.

Format: An expert panel will discuss ‘hot topics’ related to foreclosure, and provide literature and other free resources to assist you. Pro bono attorneys, real estate professionals and representatives from participating agencies will be stationed at ‘booths’ to speak with you individually and answer questions. This is a 100% pro bono initiative – no one who attends will be solicited for any service or business.

Topics Include: Understanding your rights; the Foreclosure process; how loan modifications work; understanding the major Federal Foreclosure Assistance Programs – including HAFA and HAMP; avoiding foreclosure rescue scams; HOA’s and foreclosure; deficiency judgments; asset protection and the impact of foreclosure on your credit rating; tax implications of foreclosure; avoiding unlawful or prohibited transactions; how the new ‘Hardest Hit’ fund works; understanding Bankruptcy; and how to cope with the stress.

Participating agencies include, but are not limited to: Legal Aid Service of Collier County, Collier County Bar Association, Housing Development Corp. of SW Florida, Inc., Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Naples Area Board of Realtors, Collier County Code Enforcement, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County School District, NAMI, Treatment Works!, and the Naples Daily News.

Representatives from Fannie Mae and the Florida Department of Financial Services will be present, as will lenders representatives, including, but not limited to: J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, Wells Fargo, SunTrust Mortgage and GMAC.

See the Flyer for the event. .

Look for articles by members of the Collier County Foreclosure Task Force in the Naples Daily News in the weeks leading up to the Free Foreclosure Assistance Workshop on May 19th.

For more information, call Legal Aid at (239) 775-4555.


STAY TUNED -Details on the formation of a new initiative, the 'Economic Recovery Task Force.'

To learn about local resources available to business owners, visit the Prosper in Paradise Business Tools section of Collier County's official website .


FORECLOSURE TASK FORCE WORKSHOP BEFORE THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Members of the Collier County Foreclosure Task Force conducted a comprehensive 3 hour Workshop on the topic of foreclosures in Collier County before the County Commissioners. The presentation included an overview concerning the level of foreclosures in Collier County and related effects, the response by the Task Force to the foreclosure 'crisis,' and recommendations. A detailed overview of the state of the local economy was included in the presentation. The Workshop was broadcast on CTV Channel 97 in Collier County.

To view the video archive of the Workshop before the Board of County Commissioners, click here .

To view the complete Powerpoint presentation to the BCC by the Task Force, including a comprehensive overview of local economic conditions, foreclosure mapping and statistics, the coordinated community response to the crisis, and the Task Force's recommendations, click here .

Matrix of Resources - download a free brochure listing local resources available to those facing foreclosure in Collier County

9 Numbers you need to know:
1. Legal Aid Service of Collier County - (239) 775-4555. Non-profit providing free legal services to qualifying low-income individuals and households.
2. Collier County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service - (239) 252-8138. Find a local attorney to assist you.
3. Housing Development Corporation of SW Florida, Inc. - (239) 434-2397. Non-profit agency providing free foreclosure intervention counseling.
4. Florida Attorneys Saving Homes ('FLASH') pro bono program - toll free at (866) 607-2187. See below for more information.
5. HOPE NOW - Voluntary coalition of lenders and servicers across the country. Call toll free - (888) 995- 4673.
6. Countrywide - (800) 669-6607. If you are a Countrywide borrower, call to see if the recent settlement between the Florida Attorney General's Office and Countrywide renders you eligible for new options or opportunities to save your home.
7. Florida Attorney General's consumer hotline - (866) 966-7226. Call to report suspected mortgage fraud.
8. Collier County Code Enforcement - (239) 252-2440. Call to report a property with suspected code violations. You can do this anonymously. Keep neighborhoods safe and attractive!
9. Collier County Sheriff's Office - (239) 775-TIPS. Call this number to join the Community Safety Team initiative. You can also anonymously report any suspicious activity on abandoned or otherwise vacant properties. Help fight crime!


The new statewide 'FLASH' hotline - for those in pre-foreclosure status looking for pro bono legal assistance. A pro bono attorney may be able to negotiate with your lender in an effort to avoid foreclosure and allow you to remain in your home. See the below blog post dated July 30, 2008. The toll-free Hotline number is (866) 607-2187. The Tampa Tribune recently published an article on the 'FLASH' program . You must call between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This program prioritizes those seeking to save owner-occupied 'homesteaded' property, for folks who are currently 'economically disadvantaged.' Contact the program for further details.


Monday, May 4, 2009

Free foreclosure workshop - May 13, 2009 at NABOR

On May 13, 2009 the Collier County Foreclosure Task Force will be conducting a FREE foreclosure workshop from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Naples Area Board of REALTORS (NABOR) office located at 1455 Pine Ridge Road, Naples FL 34109.
This is not a 'lecture' - this is your chance to ask a panel of experts general questions on a wide range of foreclosure related topics. The expert panel will include attorneys, realtors, HUD certified credit and foreclosure intervention counselors, mental health and wellness professionals - as well as representatives from Collier County Code Enforcement, Collier County Sheriff's Office, Collier County Public Schools, and Collier County Clerk's Office who will be there to answer questions.
Topics will include:
The Foreclosure Process (including timelines)
Short Sales
Deeds in Lieu of Foreclosure
Loan Modifications - and how to start negotiating with your lender
Transferring schools - 'children and foreclosure'
Tenants' rights in foreclosure
Bankruptcy
Tax consequences of foreclosure
How to obtain a pre-purchase code inspection
How to report (anonymously) code violations or suspicious activity on abandoned properties
Mediation in Foreclosure
Foreclosure rescue 'scams' - and how to avoid them
How to join a confidential free foreclosure support group

The program will be facilitated in English, Spanish and Creole. All who attend will receive a free "Matrix of resources' brochure, identifying the free, safe and reliable local resources available to those facing foreclosure - and where to turn to for assistance. You can also learn how to obtain free credit and foreclosure intervention counseling, how you may be eligible for free legal assistance if you are a member of a low-income household, and where to call to find a private attorney to assist you if necessary.

Special thanks to: Naples Area Board of Realtors; Greater Naples Area Chamber of Commerce; Naples Daily News; and the Collier County Bar Foundation.
Posted by Collier County Foreclosure Task Force at 1:44 PM
Labels: , ,

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Is there any a full-service law firm with excellent legal representation for individuals and Lawyer Naples Fl small businesses throughout Sarasota County.

January 11, 2013 at 4:39 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)