Judge Lee Haworth has seen a 600% increase in foreclosures in the 12th circuit court which covers Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. 500 families are having their homes taken away by foreclosure every month. The 12th circuit court has the 2nd greatest number of foreclosure cases behind Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
To slow the tsunami Judge Haworth made some changes in December that are just now beginning to sprout. The new procedures require lenders to talk to homeowners and explore options to help them stay in their homes. The judge is convinced that there are people abandoning their homes who can afford them.
Judge Haworth gave a 4 page memo to lenders outlining his plan to open communication and seek a solution to the flood of foreclosures. Some lender law firms are on board and some aren't. The law firms that are ignoring the Judge's memo are not getting a hearing date.
This ‘tough love' is designed to stabilize the Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties and stream line the foreclosure process. All foreclosure filings are now electronic. This increases efficiency and saves trees.
Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
