Florida Association of Realtors® Announces Face of Foreclosure Project and Website

ORLANDO, FL – July 8, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Across Florida, people are struggling to deal with some of the aftershocks caused by the current economy, including the alarming rise in foreclosed homes now devastating families and communities.

To gain a better understanding of foreclosure, the people who are affected by it and the impact it has on their lives, the Florida Association of Realtors®  (FAR) has initiated “The Face of Foreclosure,” a project aimed at gathering as much meaningful information as possible on this monumental, complex problem.

“Florida Realtors® are launching the ‘Face of Foreclosure’ website, www.floridafaceofforeclosure.com, in an effort to better define the true face of foreclosure in Florida,” says 2009 FAR President Cynthia Shelton, CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member). “Our goal is to ask consumers – especially those who have personally experienced foreclosure – to visit the website and take a survey to help us compile this vitally needed research. We are discovering that in most cases, many victims of foreclosure believe they were never more than a loan number or a case number. They have a story to tell – a story that we all need to hear. Through this website, Florida Realtors are asking the questions that will reveal these personal experiences of foreclosure.”

The Florida Association of Realtors recently received a $97,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to assist with foreclosure prevention and promote foreclosure prevention awareness. As a result, FAR purchased statewide radio announcements to educate consumers about foreclosure prevention resources, and will continue to provide educational materials and support efforts aimed at foreclosure prevention.

In conjunction with these efforts, FAR has undertaken a research project that will foster a more thorough understanding of foreclosure trends throughout the state of Florida, says John Sebree, FAR’s vice president of public policy. “As part of this project, we are currently examining the past three years of Florida foreclosure data from numerous sources, which we expect will shed light on some of the reasons for disparities in foreclosure information reported in the media,” he said.

Through the Face of Foreclosure website at www.floridafaceofforeclosure.com, FAR hopes to collect high-quality, factual survey data regarding foreclosure victims and the circumstances surrounding their experience, he noted.

“All of this information will provide the building blocks for strong advocacy and ultimately, good public policy as it relates to the housing market in all its facets,” Sebree said. “Along with further research, this data will help us find solutions as we seek to better understand foreclosures in Florida.”

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. For more FAR media releases, go to www.media.floridarealtors.org.

Contact: John Sebree, Vice President of Public Policy,
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 850/224-1400.