Real world effects of Dodd Frank Act on lending over the last five years

In response to the approximately 8 million homes that fell into foreclosure during the financial crisis in 2008 through 2010, the Dodd Frank Act was made into law by Congress in 2010. With it Dodd Frank brought numerous rules that were meant to safeguard consumers – and the economy in general – against a variety of “predatory” lenders and unfair lending practices.

The 5-year anniversary of the enacting of this historic financial reform legislation was recently passed. As a result several of the biggest financial news outlets including CNBC marked the occasion by looking at the effects that the Dodd Frank Act has had on financial reform in its first 5 years of existence. CNBC Real Estate Reporter Diana Olick published an article looking at both the good and bad effects that Dodd Frank has had on the United States (and Florida) housing market.

Olick’s (and many other experts in the financial industry’s) conclusion? Dodd Frank has made it significantly tougher to get a mortgage or any other type of loan instrument, particularly if you do not have the financial means or history to prove your credit worthiness. In addition, the cost to lenders has risen significantly, and on several levels, due to the extra time and effort that must be put into the additional paperwork, background checks and other compliance stipulations required by the law.

According to a recent study by the Mortgage Bankers Association cited by Olick, lenders are taking longer to process loan applications, and are able to process only about 20% of the number of applications per month today as compared to 2005. Olick concluded, “The home loans being made today are arguably the most pristine in history. New default rates are at record lows. All that, however, comes at a cost to lenders, borrowers and the overall health of the housing market itself.”

Falling Mortgage Productivity - from CNBC

To read Diane Olick’s entire article, please go to: http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/16/how-dodd-frank-changed-housing-for-good-and-bad.html

A perfect example of every law meant to fix a situation has both good and unintended consequences. On the bright side, the rampant predatory lending issues from 10 years ago have been curbed to a significant degree, a clear sign that the law is having positive effects, as well.

The Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Defense Attorneys at Korte & Wortman, P.A. have the knowledge and information to help you to utilize the Dodd-Frank Act if you feel that you have been exploited by a predatory lender. If you are in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Clearwater or anywhere else in the state of Florida and in need of a law firm knowledgeable about the Dodd-Frank Act, then contact us at Korte & Wortman, P.A. Korte & Wortman, P.A. is a law firm specializing in all aspects of real estate law, including the Dodd-Frank Act.

In addition to using this blog as a helpful resource, please contact us directly if you have any questions or current legal issues that might related to predatory lending, foreclosure, bankruptcy or credit issues. Our main office is based in West Palm Beach, at 2041 Vista Parkway, Suite 102. We also have offices in Sunrise and Clearwater, Florida.

You can call us at (561) 544-7071, stop in to our office, email us at vdinapoli@kwlawfirm.com or come to our website at http://www.foreclosurefactor.com. Our firm represents clients throughout the state of Florida and across the eastern seaboard. We also have offices in Sunrise and Clearwater, Florida.

We look forward to helping you get the legal advice that you need in all predatory lending, foreclosure, bankruptcy and credit card situations.

The knowledge and experience you need if you are facing foreclosure in West Palm Beach, Florida

Recent news in the real estate market seems to be all positive for anyone who owns a home. Just last week the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches announced that home sellers in Palm Beach County are getting 94% of their asking prices, 3.3% more for their homes than a year ago, and their homes are staying on the market for an average of only 38 days. The percentage of homeowners who are underwater on their mortgage is down from 24% in 2014 to just 16% this year.

To read more, please go to: http://www.rapb.com/realtors/industry-news/blog-posts/rapb-blog/2015/08/20/palm-beach-county-home-sales-dropped-to-38-median-days-on-market

All of those numbers sound great. But what if you are part of that 16% who is still underwater, and no longer can afford to stay in your home? The reality for those of you in this situation is much less rosy. In fact, lenders have started coming down hard on homeowners who can’t keep up.

Lenders including the banks have become more aggressive with their foreclosure procedures. They are no longer being as lenient with those who are in trouble with their mortgages. And then, they are adding a double whammy by using “deficiency judgments” against the deposed homeowner after the foreclosure, deed-in-lieu or short sale is complete. A deficiency judgment is a personal judgment against you for the difference between your home’s sale price and the original loan balance.

If you are facing foreclosure, or a deficiency judgment situation, you should not try to face this situation alone. You can cost yourself tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars if you do not know what to do. You need a lawyer who will fight for your rights, and your money.

Brian K. Korte is a founding partner of the law firm of Korte & Wortman, P.A., and concentrates his area of practice in mortgage foreclosure defense, credit card defense, trial litigation and personal injury. He represents thousands of clients throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Korte is a noted speaker on the foreclosure defense lecture circuit and has given countless lectures for Foreclosure Seminar Services and the Foreclosure Defense Tactics Group.

Prior to co-founding the firm, Mr. Korte practiced in the area of consumer litigation and has an extensive background in personal injury litigation. As a result of his courtroom successes, he saved over 3,000 homes through loan modifications as well as over 150 case dismissals, where the bank was unable to prove their case, resulting into the borrower’s mortgage completely dismissed.

Mr. Korte is an advocate for his clients, helping each one find the right solution for their family. His specialties / Area of Practice:

  • Mortgage Foreclosure Defense
  • Credit Card Defense
  • Trial Litigation
  • Personal Injury

His Bar Admissions include:

  • Federal Bar
  • The Florida Bar Association-Young Lawyers Section
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association

Brian is also an active member of his local community in Wellington where he volunteers his time with the Wellington Soccer Academy and Wellington Youth Baseball.

Facing foreclosure can be a homeowners’ worst nightmare. If you are in this situation, facing a deficiency judgement, have any other credit issue or need an attorney for any real estate transaction in West Palm Beach or anywhere else in the state of Florida then contact us at Korte & Wortman, P.A. To learn more about Brian Korte, please go to http://foreclosurefactor.com/attorneys/brian-k-korte/.

Korte & Wortman, P.A. is a law firm specializing in all aspects of real estate law. In addition to using this blog as a helpful resource, please contact us directly if you have any questions or current legal issues in any type of real estate transaction. Our home office is based in West Palm Beach, at 2041 Vista Parkway, Suite 102. You can call us at (561) 544-7071, stop in to our office, email us at vdinapoli@kwlawfirm.com or come to our website at http://www.foreclosurefactor.com. Our firm of lawyers represents clients throughout the state of Florida and across the eastern seaboard. We also have offices in Sunrise and Clearwater, Florida.

We look forward to helping you get the best settlement or price possible in all of your real estate transactions!