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

Laura Roper of Lakeland says she and her husband feel trapped by their mortgage even though they aren't yet behind on payments. ...more

March 14, 2009

A vote by the Hillsborough County Commission to award $50,000 to an embattled Tampa nonprofit agency has been postponed until Feb. 4. ...more

January 22, 2009

A vote by the Hillsborough County Commission to award $50,000 to an embattled Tampa nonprofit agency has been postponed until Feb. 4. ...more

January 21, 2009

Question: One of our owners was found dead in her unit. She had no known heirs. The police came and took the body, but never contacted the association with any follow-up information. Can you tell me what government agency we should contact about dealing with her unit and other property? ...more

November 18, 2008

There's at least one mortgage company that still sees opportunity in the real estate market. ...more

November 6, 2008

Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson faces foreclosure on his Sarasota condo. ...more

August 14, 2008

The foreclosure epidemic has spared no one - not even newly elected city Commissioner Curtis Beebe. ...more

July 16, 2008

The slowdown in the area commercial real estate market has prompted the owners of the vacant Citrus Landing Office Park to offer the property at public auction. ...more

July 16, 2008

Dear Edith: Awhile back you had someone ask you about reverse mortgages. I lost the article; therefore, would you please let me know how to attempt the process of getting a reverse mortgage. I will be 62 on December 26 of this year. Does your credit standing have to be excellent or will a person with fair credit be acceptable? Also, right now I have a payment agreement with my mortgage company until a year from July. ...more

July 13, 2008