Relief is on the way for some financially strapped homeowners. Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, which took control of Countrywide Financial Corp. early this year, said Monday it will modify bad mortgages with up to $8.4 billion in interest rate and principal reductions for 400,000 Countrywide customers. ...more

October 7, 2008

Responsible condo and homeowners are increasingly being hit with special assessments and higher association fees to cover the growing cost of those who are not meeting their obligations because they have lost their homes. ...more

September 23, 2008

Financial advisers and brokers in the Tampa Bay area found themselves caught up in the turmoil of Wall Street this week as anxious clients called looking for help making sense of the breathtaking sweep of events. The tumult culminated Friday with a federal government plan to cleanse banks of the bad mortgages that had touched off a world financial crisis. The government plan ignited a two-day rally on Wall Street on Thursday and Friday that erased shattering losses earlier in the week when insurance giant AIG, swept up in the mortgage mess, teetered on bankruptcy. ...more

September 20, 2008

I inherited a home from a family member, and it has no mortgage. The house is in California and I am in Georgia. The caretaker, who was instrumental in taking care of my elderly aunt before her death, wants the house but would not qualify for the mortgage based on her income or assets. ...more

August 28, 2008

We just received a letter from our board of directors telling us it is approving a special assessment to provide for delinquent accounts that are in foreclosure and bankruptcy. Is this legal? ...more

July 3, 2008

If you have lost your job or are facing a layoff, you need a plan for coping financially. This is especially true if you haven't been able to build an emergency fund or you've been living too high and have never considered there might be a disruption in your income. ...more

June 15, 2008

TAMPA - Facing foreclosure, the developers of the Ventana condominiums in the Channel District have agreed to hand the keys to the project's lender and walk way, according to documents filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. ...more

June 3, 2008

I know from experience that if one person has a question or problem, there are thousands more behind the scenes who are struggling with a similar situation. So I like to dole out the answers and tips in this space whenever possible. ...more

June 1, 2008

After months of flirting with potential buyers, the Lake Jovita Joint Venture has unloaded the two 18-hole golf courses and clubhouse in the community off State Road 52. ...more

February 12, 2008

Our country's national debt is in the trillions of dollars, most Americans are head-over-heels in personal debt, most have not saved anything for retirement - and yet, the government's answer is to reward us with a tax rebate to "stimulate" the economy. And they may have to borrow the rebate from China, adding to the national debt. ...more

February 3, 2008