A different foreclosure system in PA
Pennsylvania is experimenting with a mandatory mediation system for foreclosures that requires borrower and lender to try to work things out before a judge. But Jeff Tyler reports many don't know the program exists.
Foreclosure on For Sale sign (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)
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Bill Radke: As Americans struggle to pay their mortgages, Congress is debating ways to help people keep their homes. In Pittsburgh today, Senator Arlen Specter holds a hearing on how a foreclosure prevention program in his state might serve as a model for the country. Marketplace's Jeff Tyler has more.
Jeff Tyler: Pennsylvania has been experimenting with mandatory mediation. Before a foreclosure can be enforced, the borrower and lender must go before a judge and attempt to work things out.
Senator Arlen Specter says the pilot programs help protect homeowners struggling with mortgages they can't afford:
Arlen Specter: Frequently, there's a misunderstanding. Sometimes there's misrepresentation or even fraud. And what happens on these mediation efforts is that they try to keep the people in their homes.
But Specter says many who qualify for the program are unaware of it. Same is true in New Jersey, where Kevin Wolfe oversees the office of foreclosure.
Kevin Wolfe: When your property gets listed for foreclosure, you get 50 letters a day from people saying that they're going to help you. The court's letter might just be considered another one of them. We have to somehow get through that clutter.
Senator Specter hopes today's hearing will cut through that clutter as foreclosures continue to rise.
I'm Jeff Tyler for Marketplace.
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From Twin Falls, ID, 03/03/2009
Friend in Arizona about to lose home of 20 years to foreclosure May 1st despite trying to work with Wells Fargo since Oct 2008. She keeps getting run around that they require same documents repeatively and nothing done. Lots of web sights listing Wells Fargo foreclosure homes in Arizona for sale. Is it me or does it seem like Wells Fargo has a vested interest to obtain this home rather than help the homeowner. By the way my friend does have income just been reduced and only wanting interest lower to make payment affordable to stay in home. Why are not more states adopting the PA court system forclosure. Banks fail to work with people and need apparantly a little help getting it done.
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