Foreclosures in Florida

RealtyTrac, an online real estate marketing firm, released its end-of-year foreclosure report this week. And in spite of the best efforts or our many banks, aided by a relatively small number of our many law firms, Florida did not manage to come in first on the list. 

If you have been paying attention, you won't be surprised that Florida had more than half a million foreclosure cases filed in its courts during 2009. California had more cases – 632,573 – but they have twice as many people as we do. California and Florida accounted for more than 40 percent of the 2.8 million foreclosures filed last year.

Florida didn't come in first when RealtyTrac looked at percentages either. One out every 17 homes here received a foreclosure notice in 2009. Nevada and Arizona both had higher rates.

The overall numbers for 2009 would have been worse if not for “foreclosure-processing delays” such as the Obama Administration’s Home Affordable Modification Program and court-mandated foreclosure mediations, according to RealtyTrac. 

The numbers are depressing. It's even more depressing when you realize that, according to the Florida Supreme Court, 95 % of the homeowners in foreclosure case don't have a lawyer. 

If you own one of the half million plus homes that went into foreclosure here in 2009, numbers and percentages don't matter. What matters is your home and your family. So find out what your rights are and learn how to protect yourself.