Florida RealEstateRama

TALLAHASSEE, FL - August 30, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Joseph Smith, Jr., the national mortgage settlement monitor, released an interim report on homeowner relief that the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers have provided as of June 30. Based upon figures voluntarily provided by the servicers, but not yet verified by the monitor, more than 23,000 Floridians have received an excess of $1.7 billion in relief under the settlement. The relief provided thus far includes first and second lien principal forgiveness, forgiveness of past forbearance, refinancing, and deficiency waivers. The report also details the servicers' progress on reforming their servicing practices as required by the settlement agreement. The interim report includes a timetable for future reports with the monitor’s first audited report expected in April 2013

TAVARES, FL - August 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- All offices of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Clerk of Courts, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector will be closed Monday, Sept. 3 in observance of Labor Day

TAVARES - August 28, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many times, offenders who are released on probation battle poverty, joblessness, homelessness and various other circumstances that make it difficult for them to re-enter society as productive citizens. In an effort to help facilitate the transition, the Lake County Probation Services Division has partnered with the national Open Table initiative.

TAVARES - August 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- As Central Florida braces for Tropical Storm Isaac, the Lake County Public Safety Department, Emergency Management Division is closely monitoring the storm. Officials are urging Lake County residents to take the proper precautions to ensure the safety of their family, property and businesses.

TAVARES, CA - August 20, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lake County’s longest-serving Property Appraiser, Ed Havill passed away Saturday at age 71. “Ed Havill was an outstanding pillar of this community who dedicated his life to Lake County,“ said Commission Chairman Leslie Campione. “We owe him a debt of gratitude for his many years of leadership and service. He will be deeply missed, and my sincerest condolences go out to his family.”

Fort Lauderdale, FL - August 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) will visit the recently opened Senator Philip D. Lewis Homeless Resource Center in West Palm Beach, Florida on Monday, August 20th at 2:00 p.m. Hastings serves as the Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness.

TAVARES, FL - August 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lake County continues to explore land options for the acquisition of property that could subsequently be used for future County projects.

ORLANDO, FL - August 6, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida has launched the Journey Home Campaign, a $12 million major gifts and endowment fundraising initiative to ensure the strength and viability of the Coalition for years to come. This is the largest-ever fundraising endeavor for the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, which benefits the community by providing housing and supportive services to more than 750 homeless men, women and children every day...and about 4,000 individuals each year. Fifty percent - or $6 million - has already been raised for the construction of the Men’s Service Center through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from Orange County and the City of Orlando.

Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida "Wall Raising" for new Men's Service Center

TALLAHASSEE, FlL - August 3, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that ProVest, LLC, one of Florida’s largest service processing firms, has agreed to pay $462,500 to the Florida Bar Foundation to continue the legal aid program that assists low-income individuals facing foreclosure. The settlement with ProVest resolves allegations regarding improper service of process in foreclosure cases filed in courts throughout Florida. Under this settlement, ProVest must follow certain business practices intended to ensure proper and lawful service of process in mortgage foreclosure cases filed in Florida

WASHINGTON, DC - August 3, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Justice today convicted two defendants for their roles in a South Florida mortgage fraud scheme that took advantage of homeowners on the brink of foreclosure and left many without their homes.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced that more than $211 million in unclaimed cash and property was returned to Floridians during Fiscal Year 2011/2012—nearly 12 percent more than the previous fiscal year. Last year, the Bureau of Unclaimed Property approved nearly 300,000 claims to reunite Floridians with their unclaimed property

Washington, D.C. - July 25, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) will offer the following testimony before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management today. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building, and can be streamed live here

TALLAHASSEE, FL - July 18, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- While survivors finish repairs to their homes or find a new place to live, money may be available to help them pay for a clean and safe place to stay.

TAVARES, FL - July 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season upon us, and residents facing an increased chance of rain and damaging winds that could result in home or property damage, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners is encouraging all citizens to hire licensed contractors to do any repair or construction work that they may need.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - July 5, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), one of America’s leading community banks and the nation’s largest...

TAVARES - July 6, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Lake County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a measure to reinstate 40-hour work weeks for staff with the Lake County Growth Management Department, Building Services Division, located on the fifth floor of the Lake County Administration Building at 315 W. Main St. in Tavares

Washington D.C. - July 3, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- In testimony filed today, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) called for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to require Praetorian Insurance Company to cut homeowners’ insurance rates by at least 44.1 percent. Praetorian sold in excess of $430 million in “force placed” insurance in Florida in 2011, as Balboa Insurance Company and QBE Specialty Insurance Company. Praetorian has requested that the rates for the largest insurer in the group, Balboa, remain unchanged.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - June 29, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Robert Martin Tolentino, 50, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court in Tallahassee today to defrauding SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. on a $2 million mortgage. The guilty plea was announced Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - June 5, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- During the first week of the 2012 Hurricane Season, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is urging Floridians to “Protect Your Home Base” and prepare financially for a storm this year. With two named storms before the season officially began, one making landfall in Florida just two weeks ago, now is the time for Floridians to prepare and protect their homes and businesses.