Tampa Bay Appraiser's Blog

About Lauren’s Kids

Lauren’s Kids was founded by child abuse victim, survivor and educator Lauren Book-Lim. The organization educates adults and children about sexual abuse topics through an in school curriculum, a 24-hour Crisis Hotline and speaking engagements around the country. The ultimate goal is to raise funds for the creation of a Crisis Center for Children and their families coping with the aftermath of sexual abuse.

Lauren’s Story

Lauren Book-Lim, a victim and now a Survivor of child abuse, is nurturing hope for kids and their families by telling her story:

http://www.laurenskids.org

Here is a recent email from Lauren about the All-Star Game.  We are very proud of her passionate dedication to raising awareness of this kind.    continue reading…

Call it the temporary tax credit that just won’t end.

Congress approved late Wednesday an extension to the June 30 closing deadline for the home buyer tax credit, hours before it was set to expire. The move will give would-be buyers who signed a purchase agreement by April 30 more time to close on those deals and receive the credit that is worth up to $8,000. The new deadline is Sept. 30.

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Do you know how long the shadow inventory of REO’s is?  You may be asking what a shadow inventory is.  According to REO Insider, “many believe the shadow inventory represents the foreclosed inventory that has yet to reach the market.  Since the US government introduced delays in the foreclosure process, such as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program, Morgan Stanley measures the “shadow inventory” as the amount of homes that will need to be liquidated through the REO process. 

The shadow inventory includes all loans behind by 90 days or more, already in foreclosure and a vast majority of loans that are 30-to-60 days delinquent.  Government data released Tuesday showed the number of homes going through the foreclosure process jumped 22 percent during the first quarter.  The number of homeowners who are seriously delinquent on their mortgages is also up.  If prices keep falling, that number is bound to grow.    continue reading…

Bank of America is starting to forgive principal when modifying underwater mortgages eligible for the National Homeownership Retention Program (NHRP).  B of A servicers will forgive principal for homeowners who owe “considerably more” on their mortgage than the current value of the home while being considered for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).   continue reading…

T0 Read The Full Story in the St. Pete Times Click:  HERE.