Oppenheim met with Asset Protection Attorney Douglass Lodmell to share how Oppenheim Law guides South Florida homeowners through defending themselves and their homes and helps them fashion their own economic bailouts.

“We frequently represent individuals who are professionals and have done everything right in the traditional path to wealth in this nation,” Oppenheim said. “And now because certain institutions that we have all respected for so many years failed us, we are seeing these individuals have to figure out how to deal with getting out of their tricky financial situation.”

The current system, including banks, Congress, the President and the Courts, is failing American homeowners according to Oppenheim and Lodmell.

Oppenheim describes how his firm navigates through the current system to protect homeowners’ rights during the foreclosure process.

Check out the video below for the entire interview and we look forward to reading your comments and answering any questions.

Almost half of South Florida homeowners are facing negative equity in their homes, and more than 400,000 Florida foreclosure cases are expected by the end of 2010, according to real estate attorney Roy Oppenheim.

More than 40 South Florida homeowners turned out to hear the latest legal techniques and strategies Oppenheim Law is using to defend foreclosures, execute short sales, prevent deficiency judgments and keep people in their homes.

We’ve put together a summary of the main points from March’s Workshop, and look forward to seeing you at the next free event on April 1^st at 6 p.m.

• Social stigma is so yesterday. The fact that so many people are being affected by this real estate crisis completely erased the social stigma associated with foreclosure.

• Banks are overwhelmed. The depth and breadth of this crisis makes it difficult for banks to successfully foreclose homeowners who are represented by counsel.

• Do what’s right for you and get help. If it no longer makes economic sense to continue paying your mortgage, your best option is to speak to a qualified attorney.

• Don’t leave. Whatever you chose to do, stay in your home as long as possible.

• Banks warming up. Short sales are emerging as one of the best options for homeowners facing foreclosure, and believe it or not, banks are beginning to favor them as well. Some short sales are being approved in less time than in the past. One need only be 30 days behind on your mortgage to begin the short sale process.

• The bank is happy with instant cash gratification, while you avoid the hassle and stress of foreclosure proceedings.

• Price is right. When executing a short sale, an experienced real estate agent must price your home correctly, and you must protect yourself from a costly deficiency judgment through legal representation.

• Know the facts. Deficiency judgments can stay on your record for up to 20 years: Banks may garnish wages and even collect against heirs.

• Oppenheim Law has negotiated reductions in deficiency judgments by as much as 80-85%.

It is important to remember that buying yourself time in this real estate market can prove to be incredibly valuable. The tide is beginning to turn as new laws are discussed and the economy makes gains.

Again, 97% of folks facing foreclosure are not represented by counsel. Those who are have a much better chance of avoiding a deficiency judgment and saving their home.

We look forward to hearing your comments on March’s workshop and hope to see you all on April 1 for our next event.

Join Oppenheim Law at the next Free Legal Real Estate Workshop on Wednesday, March 3, as Oppenheim explains how short sales can prevent Florida deficiency judgments and provides insider tips for buying and selling Florida real estate in this turbulent market.

What: Short Sales, Deficiency Judgment + More: Free Legal Workshop

When: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 – 6:00 to 7:00 PM

Who: Homeowners facing foreclosure, real estate professionals, buyers and sellers

Where: 2500 Weston Road, Suite 404, Weston, FL 33331

Cost: Free with advanced registration

RSVP: To register email roy@oplaw.net or call 954.384.6114

For more information visit the Oppenheim Law News Room to access all of the event’s details. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions for the workshop.

Oppenheim Law looks forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, March 3^rd.

Buying in the murky foreclosure waters is not quite as dangerous as swimming with the sharks thanks to Foreclosure Title Insurance, says Florida foreclosure defense attorney Roy Oppenheim.

More than 500,000 foreclosure filings entered Florida’s books in 2009, and those properties now saturate the South Florida real estate market. While these economic times are challenging for most, they can be the best time for some South Floridians to capitalize on an unprecedented opportunity who want to purchase foreclosures.

Foreclosure buyers can now add a perk to their deals with Foreclosure Title Insurance. Check out how South Florida real estate investors can protect themselves with Florida Foreclosure Title Insurance.

Rock the vote! Voting is underway for The Sun-Sentinel’s Best of Blogs Awards and Oppenheim Law’s South Florida Law Blog received a nomination in the Business Blog Category.

The South Florida Law Blog is committed to bringing timely news and advice to our readers as we work together to survive this treacherous real estate market.

You can vote once a day for your favorite blog (Hopefully ours!) after registering for a free Sun-Sentinel account here. Voting ends March 1^st.

We appreciate your continued support, feedback and comments and look forward to bringing you the latest and greatest in Florida foreclosure defense and real estate trends.

Thanks for your positive feedback on our new column. This post is the second for Oppenheim Law’s senior partner, Ellen Pilelsky, as she discusses Florida real estate and foreclosure, sharing her perspective “From the Heart.”

Some say there is a reason for everything and that we can control our own lives. Both of these thoughts come to mind when I watch Allstate’s recent “Our Stand” ad campaign.

I’ve now watched this short video a few times, and each time I am so moved that I felt compelled to share it with you.  The video drives home the point that even through these difficult economic times, we all can and will make it through.

It’s up to us to deal with and rise from the challenges we face today.

There is hope.  We all just need to look at our lives and make changes that need to be made.  As long as we are able to recognize what is really the most important things in our life, like family and friends, then we can avoid getting bogged down with “all the other stuff.”

The Silver Lining

There has to be a true silver lining to this foreclosure crisis.

I believe that our children will learn from these challenging times to live on what they earn and not beyond their means. They will become our future leaders in just a few short years and they will bring that old fashioned American Ideal to Washington and to the State Capitals. Soon our governments will learn to do with less, but still provide the essential services we need. We all just have to believe.

Although families may have to double up at times, children will actually once again truly know their grandparents.  We all will learn how to prepare a home cooked meal with more natural ingredients and eat out less. Families may decide to reacquaint themselves with the great outdoors and go camping instead of trekking to a pricey resort.  And we will find true happiness or riches is not just a bank account but how fulfilled our lives are based on friends and the good deeds we have done for others. Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project is a good read and reminder of this.

Paying it Forward

I always taught my family the importance of “paying it forward” and believe now more than ever that lesson can provide much joy and happiness to the person paying it up front.

It is strange how in times like these we all need to understand we really do not need all that much. And if we can use our energy to be positive and move forward, then we will emerge stronger and wiser.

From the Heart,

Ellen Pilelsky

Oppenheim Law has been arguing for creative and practical solutions that benefit banks and homeowners alike for more than two years. Finally, while curiously late into the game, CitiMortgage announces a trial deed-in-lieu mortgage program allowing  homeowners to avoid the painful foreclosure process.

The deed-in-lieu program allows Florida homeowners facing foreclosure to remain in their homes for 6 months, in exchange for signing over their deeds to CitiMortgage at the end of the period.

Check out Roy Oppenheim’s opinion on the CitiMortgage announcement by reading the entire article in the Oppenheim Law News Room.

There are two caveats to this waiver that you must be aware of.  The first caveat is that the waiver is limited to forward mortgages, so it does not apply to Home Equity Conversion Mortgages.  The second caveat is when the sales price of the property is 20% or more over and above the seller’s acquisition costs, the waiver will only apply if the new buyer’s lender:

(1)     Justifies the increase in value by retaining in the loan file supporting documents and/or a second appraisal verifying that the seller has completed sufficient legitimate renovations, repair and rehabilitation work on the subject property to substantiate the increase, or the appraiser provides appropriate explanation of the increase in property value since the prior transfer of title; AND

(2)     Orders a property inspection and provides the inspection report to the purchaser before closing.

A.     The lender may charge the borrowers for this inspectio

B.     The inspector:

• Does not have to be an FHA-approved or a 203(k) consultant
• Must have no interest in the property or relationship with the seller
• Must not receive compensation from any other party other than the lender
• May not compensate anyone for the referral of the inspection
• May not receive any compensation for referring or recommending contractors to perform any repairs recommended by the inspection.

C.     At a minimum the inspection must include:

• The property structure, including the foundation, floor, ceiling, walls and roof;
• The exterior, including siding, doors, windows , appurtenant structures such as decks and balconies, walkways and driveways;
• The roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems;
• All interior; and
• All insulation and ventilation systems

So to all of you real estate investors… go ahead and buy these lemons and make a profit by selling lemonade.

Oppenheim Law marked its 16^th Monthly legal real estate workshop last Thursday and thanks to you – our readers  – who attended or brought a friend, we continue to evaluate the real estate market.

For those not able to make the event, I have two pieces of good news for you:

• Oppenheim Law is already preparing for our next free real estate workshop scheduled on Wednesday, March 3.
• We have a recap of the workshop’s timely highlights

The most important message: things are changing.

• Florida Foreclosure Defense is constantly evolving and Oppenheim Law is finding new ways to defend foreclosures every day.

• The FL Supreme Court’s ruling requiring mandatory mediation between homeowners and banks already started in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties.

• 70% of foreclosure cases that go to mediation are settled.

• The social stigma of foreclosure is evaporating: everyone knows someone who is in foreclosure.

• Walking away from an underwater mortgage is no longer a moral decision. The banks were allowed to walk away from their monumental debt and write it off as a “business decision.” Why can’t homeowners do the same?

• The crisis in Haiti will likely have an influence on the South Florida real estate landscape. Florida saw similar results after Hurricane Andrew when folks were searching for new places to live. Black Swan events like these are important to consider and watch.

Oppenheim Law stresses the importance of helping homeowners avoid deficiency judgments at all costs. Ignoring the foreclosure notice or moving out is perhaps not the best possible decision you can make.

While 97% of folks facing foreclosure are not represented by counsel, those who are have a much better chance of avoiding a deficiency judgment and saving their home.

We look forward to hearing your comments on our last workshop and invite you to join us on WEDNESDAY, March 3 (A Wednesday for this next month only!)

From the Trenches,

Roy Oppenheim

Many of you have been reading Attorney Roy Oppenheim’s “From the Trenches” series over the past year as he details his experiences as Florida foreclosure defense attorney. This post is the first for Oppenheim Law’s senior partner, Ellen Pilelsky, as she discusses Florida real estate and foreclosure, sharing her perspective “From the Heart.”

The Mortgage Bankers Association wants to know what folks in foreclosure should tell their kids.

I usually remain behind the blogging scenes, but this is my first attempt to share my views as a woman, mother and foreclosure defense attorney about how the world has changed and why we need to understand how to cope.

Last month John Courson, President of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said he had no idea what individuals were going to tell their children about why they stopped paying their mortgage. He suggested people who are in foreclosure are somehow immoral.

My response is simple:

1. Never be judgmental towards others, for then you too will be judged: and
2. Never, ever, throw stones when you yourself live in glass house.

The MBA arguably represents the very folks who brought us the current economic crisis. Perhaps worse than that, Mr. Courson has a less than stellar record himself of “doing the right thing,” as was well articulated by some of the subscribers to Oppenheim Law’s South Florida Law Blog.

The reality is we need to help our children understand that:

Wherever you move, or wherever we as a family move, we will always have a home. A house is just made of bricks and lumber, but the things that make it a home are the family and the memories we create together wherever we live.

If your kids are in middle school or older you can explain the economy is experiencing one of its biggest corrections in 80 years, something we all have never experienced in our lifetimes. Maybe some of their grandparents went through the Depression, but in fact, very few Americans truly can remember that experience personally

Thus, we are all going through something that they too will be able to tell their children about and even their grandchildren one day. There are lessons, like everything else, to learn from what has happened.

In the meantime let your children know you love them and that mistakes were made by many people: politicians, regulators, lobbyists, banks, investment banks, mortgage brokers, lawyers… and even us!

We all are not above reproach.

But in the end, the important thing is to learn from these mistakes as we all grow to be better people and create a better country.

From the Heart,

Ellen Pilelsky, Esq.