Lucas County has the sixth-highest number of foreclosures in the state, according to the most recent numbers from the Ohio Supreme Court.

Of the 88 counties in Ohio, Lucas County is only behind  Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery and Summit counties in the number of foreclosure cases reported since September.

“In Ohio, Cleveland is the epicenter of foreclosures, but the Toledo area is not far behind,” said Kathy Broka, Northwest Ohio Development Agency and Toledo Fair Housing Center president and CEO. “Toledo was one of the first communities where predatory lending and toxic loans took place. Some of the loans with egregious terms are just beginning to catch up with residents.”

In Lucas County, two separate listings for foreclosure cases are filed; bank and tax.

The number of foreclosures in Lucas County has increased by 5.3 percent since last year, according to the Lucas County Clerk of Courts. Through November of this year 3,769 bank foreclosures have been filed in the county, 200 more bank foreclosures than were filed in 2008 at that time.

Foreclosures due to tax issues are also increasing. Through November this year there were 310 foreclosures, when in all of 2008 there were only 281.

“It’s a very serious problem that we have right now. It could be a multi-year cycle not just a one-time event. We keep looking for the foreclosure rate to level off, but we don’t see that happening soon,” said Steve Papadimos, chief of the county prosecutor’s office civil division.

The number of tax foreclosures would be “significantly higher” if the Lucas County Treasurer’s office was not working with taxpayers who were delinquent,”

Papadimos said.

“The treasurer’s office is doing a fine job trying to keep people in their homes. They’re putting people on multi month payment plans, waiving interest and penalties when the law allows,” Papadimos said.

If faced with a foreclosure the “worst” thing someone can do is ignore it, Broka said.

“You need to be proactive and be an advocate for yourself,” she said.

The first step for anyone who is facing a foreclosure is communication with the lender, said Eunice Glover, who is a foreclosure counselor for Northwest Ohio Development Agency.

“Constantly stay in touch with the lender. Let them know you want to stay, you want to pay and let them know what you can afford to pay,” Glover said. “With Obama’s Home Affordable Modification Program, banks are more likely to work with you to modify your loan and find a solution that is beneficial for you both.”

If the foreclosure goes to court it is important to seek legal aid, Glover said. Individuals going through a foreclosure should be leery of phone calls that may come offering assistance.

“Working with an agency to get a home mortgage modification should be free, it shouldn’t be costing you thousands of dollars,” Glover said.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Development has a list of certified counselors and agencies at the Web site www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/.

For more information on foreclosure assistance visit www.noda toledo.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm and is filed under Community, Economy.
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