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Troubled Homeowners Can Find Help At New Chase Center

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Chase Homeownership Center manager Judi Lockhart tells non-profit workers about the help now being offered.

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By SHANNON BEHNKEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

Updated: 03/26/2009 04:11 pm

TAMPA - Nothing is more frustrating for financially-strapped homeowners than calling their lenders and not getting through to the right person.

Some Tampa Bay homeowners now have a place to go to meet face-to-face with a loan counselor.

The Chase Homeownership Center opens today and will serve those with loans owned or serviced by Chase, Washington Mutual or EMC, all of which are now part of JPMorgan Chase.

"Many people avoid their lender," said Nancy Norris, Chase spokesperson. "We want to work it out. We have tools we can use to help people, depending on their situation."

Chase plans to open 24 homeownership centers across the country this year.

The Tampa center is located at 4919 Memorial Highway in Tampa and is one of five such centers opening in Florida.

The locations were based on the number of troubled loans in each area, Norris said.

The Tampa center will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling (813) 880-6400.

The center is for customers who are already behind on their mortgage and want to avoid foreclosure.
But those who have made mortgage payments on time but fear falling behind can get help, too Norris said. Those customers can call 866-550-5705.

"We now have tools available to do temporary modifications, interest rates, change loan terms and other things," Norris said.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.

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