As promised, federal authorities have amped up criminal mortgage fraud prosecutions. ...more

November 6, 2009

At the peak of the housing boom, an unemployed Tampa day trader managed to get two mortgages worth more than $300,000, despite having no income, authorities say. ...more

November 4, 2009

The victims were as old as 91 and their losses could add up to nearly $20 million. ...more

October 26, 2009

A broker for a Tampa mortgage company has agreed to plead guilty to federal conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for falsifying information on mortgage applications. Gilberto Jesus Lima, a licensed mortgage broker, worked for Mortgage Corporation of America when he was supposed to pair qualified borrowers with lenders, according to his plea agreement. For his work, he received a commission of 70 percent of fees, while his employer received 30 percent. ...more

August 12, 2009

You would think that poor people, those who can't afford to make a down payment, would be the first to lose their homes in a housing crisis. ...more

March 9, 2009

Amyra Hernandez-Oquendo remembers working at her father's music store in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he sold Latin albums and the instruments that dominated Latin songs. ...more

January 14, 2009

Mortgage interest rates are at a 58-year low, and according to Fifth Third Bank, homeowners are applying for new loans at near-record levels. ...more

December 22, 2008

Joilee Hazley wondered what all the people were doing in her front yard. ...more

December 8, 2008

For years, the Housing and Education Alliance has helped prepare low-income residents to buy their first home, teaching a mandatory class for anyone seeking down-payment assistance. ...more

November 16, 2008

TAMPA - Philip W. Coon sat down Wednesday in federal court, adjusted his tie, put on his glasses, took a hit of breath spray and was ready to begin serving time. ...more

November 6, 2008