At-Risk Homeowners

If you are a homeowner in Sarasota County and are having difficulty making your mortgage payment, you are not alone. Florida consistently ranks as one of the top states in foreclosures. If a change in job status or other life-altering event is causing you to miss your mortgage payments, you are considered at risk of foreclosure. Time is of the essence.

The information on these pages can help you better understand what foreclosure is, what it potentially means for you, and your ability to stay in your home.

What is Foreclosure?

Foreclosure is defined as a legal process by which a bank or lender attempts to recover a property as a result of the homeowner’s failure to make payments.

Where Do I Begin?

The answer may be simpler than you think: start by contacting your lender. Most experts agree that contacting your lender at the first sign of trouble is your best chance to learn what foreclosure alternatives are available to you based on your circumstances. Avoiding your lender will only increase the likelihood of you entering into foreclosure and possibly losing your home.

Be persistent. As the old saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Many lenders are dealing with a high volume of homeowners at risk of foreclosure or in foreclosure and may not immediately respond to your initial request. Keep trying. Your lender is your first, best option to resolve your mortgage issue.

Remember, there are no easy answers. If you are a homeowner facing foreclosure, know that saving your home will not be easy – or necessarily straightforward. The good news is there are steps you can take right now to work with your lender and improve your chances of avoiding foreclosure altogether.

Did you know? The best approach if you are a defendant in a foreclosure filing is to be proactive. Ignoring correspondence from the banks will only complicate the issue.

Foreclosure Resources

The Sarasota County Clerk of Court presents the following resources you may find helpful.

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Foreclosure Division

Legal Aid Society of Manasota

GulfCoast Legal Services Foreclosure Assistance

Florida Bar Association Foreclosure Help For Consumers
The Florida Bar Association has various resources available for free or at a reduced cost to help you defend against a foreclosure.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is a government agency whose mission, in part, is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and affordable homes for all. HUD provides resources for avoiding foreclosure, modifying a loan, and contacting an approved housing counselor.

Florida HUD Info - Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a government agency that provides resources for avoiding foreclosure, modifying a loan, and contacting an approved housing counselor.

Making Home Affordable
Making Home Affordable (MHA) is a joint project between the Departments of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development. MHA offers a range of programs, including those designed to help homeowners lower their monthly mortgage payments.

Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides information for those at risk for or facing foreclosure, including information on alternatives to foreclosure, tips for working with a lender, tips for avoiding and reporting mortgage scams, and many other resources.

Emergency Rental Assistance Following Foreclosure
Due to the sharp rise in foreclosures during the past several years, displacement has negatively affected many families. If a foreclosure proceeding results in the loss of your home, regaining housing stability is a crucial step in moving on with your life. This program is available through the U.S. Department of Treasury