Homeowners who qualify for financial assistance may receive up to six (6) months of monthly mortgage payments (including escrowed mortgage-related payments) and/or funds to pay past due mortgage payments to bring the mortgage current; these funds are paid directly to the loan servicer/lender.

More than 10,000 unemployed or underemployed Florida homeowners have applied for federal money since April 18.

Yet the federal Hardest Hit Fund program could help another 30,000 struggling homeowners in Florida. Eligible applicants could receive up to $18,000.

Program requirements

An eligible homeowner:

• Must be a Florida resident;
• Must occupy property as primary residence (the property cannot be vacant, abandoned or rented);
• Borrower/co-borrower must be unemployed or underemployed through no fault of his/her own, which makes the first mortgage unaffordable;
• Must have documented total household income at or below 140% of the area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size;
• Must have an active checking/savings account that can be debited by the ACH method of funds transfer;
• May not have unencumbered assets of $5,000 or more, or three times the current monthly mortgage payment (whichever is greater);
• Cannot have a bankruptcy that has not been discharged or dismissed; and
• Cannot have been convicted of a mortgage-related felony in the last 10 years.

The current mortgage:

• Must be serviced by a participating lender, who agrees to accept payments on behalf of the homeowner;
• Must not be more than 180 days past due at the time of application;
• Must have been originated on or before January 1, 2009; and
• Must have an existing principal balance of less than $400,000.

Please be aware that www.FLHardestHitHelp.org is the OFFICIAL website for Florida’s Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) information and to apply for assistance.

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The Florida Housing Finance Corp. announced Tuesday it is expanding the federal Hardest Hit Fund statewide.

The $1 billion fund will help eligible homeowners make mortgage payments for up to 6 months. Homeowners must be unemployed or their housing cost must be 31 percent or more than their income. Delinquent homeowners who are now able to start making payments could also get help getting current on their loans.

There will be two programs, one for the unemployed and one to help homeowners who’ve found work get caught up on payments.

The Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program will provide up to $12,000 to pay monthly mortgage and escrowed mortgage-related expenses for up to 6 months, or until the homeowner can resume making mortgage payments.

The Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Payment Program will provide up to $6,000 to bring the homeowner’s mortgage current, if the homeowner is able to make mortgage payments.

To qualify, homeowners cannot be more than 180 days delinquent on their mortgage payments.

Homeowners can apply for assistance through the Florida Finance Corporation website.

The post Help for homeowners facing foreclosure appeared first on Sea to Sky Realty . Bradenton Real Estate, Anna Maria Real Estate.

Drive-out-of-Florida deals are back for 2011 spring and early summer travel.

Each year, there are heavily discounted rates offered to move cars out of Florida after the popular winter-travel season ends. These deals give travelers and vacationers cheap rentals during their Florida vacations. Book one, and you’ll get to see more of the U.S. when you drive out of Florida.

The best deals is from Hertz. For just $5 per day, or $35 per week, you can take a driving vacation, as long as you can pick up your vehicle between April 24 and June 12. The offer is valid on economy-size and compact cars, and drop-offs are available as far north as Maine and as far west as Arizona. The maximum rental is for two weeks. Use RQ code DRV5 when booking. Contact: 800-654-3131; www.hertz.com.

National, Alamo and Enterprise are offering daily rates of $19.95 for economy through full-size vehicle rentals when you book by April 9. Cars may be picked up between March 25 and May 31 in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa or West Palm Beach and between April 25 and May 31 in Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando or Sanford. The maximum rental period is 21 days, and cars may be dropped off at participating locations in the continental U.S., excluding Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact National at 877-222-9058 or www.nationalcar.com, Alamo at 877-222-9075 or www.alamo.com, or Enterprise at 800-261-7331 or www.enterprise.com.

Avis is also offering one-way rentals out of Florida for those who want a car for a really short time. Rentals are valid for one to four days and must be rented between April 1 and June 30. Daily rates include $19.95 for a compact, $24.95 for a midsize, $27.95 for a standard and $29.95 for a full-size or an intermediate SUV. Cars may be picked up at airport locations in Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach and dropped off at participating locations in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Use AWD Number G575600. Contact: 800-331-1212; www.avis.com.

The rates quoted don’t include taxes and fees. American express cardholders for example can also save a lot of money for primary CDW coverage by enrolling in a special plan issued by your CC company. Instead of overpriced daily charges there is a one time charge per rental for CDW between $20 and $30. Many other credit cards provide at least secondary insurance coverage.

You could drive all the way up the East Coast and fly home. For a shorter drive, the closest drop-off city with good airfares is Atlanta. You could drive up the coast and enjoy historic sites in St. Augustine, head to Savannah and dine at Paula Deen’s restaurant, then drive to Atlanta for your flight home. You have a number of options with these deals, so choose a vacation that suits your need.

Axel Weiss, Realtor
Weiss International Realty
Bradenton, FL 34205
www.bradentonbroker.com

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