Archives

June 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Maine Housing Counseling Network with assistance and support from the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, US Department of Housing and Urban Development and MaineHousing will host free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics in Augusta, Portland, Sanford, and Bangor.

March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on March 25, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Penobscot Judicial Center. After this session, each judicial region across the State will have held at least one informational session. Chief Justice Saufley reported that previous sessions in other parts of the State have been received well by those who have participated. “Homeowner attendance has been high at these sessions, which indicates that homeowners are working to prepare for mediation. Ensuring that both parties are prepared for mediation will be key to successful resolutions,” she said.

Aroostook County Housing Counselor Added to Program AUGUSTA, ME - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection signed a contract this month with Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), increasing the number of housing counselors serving Maine homeowners. This contract adds another certified housing counseling service to the seven non-profit agencies currently under contract around the State

March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bureau of Financial Institutions Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain, III announced this week that fourth quarter 2009 data submitted by Maine-chartered banks and credit unions shows a continuing increase in home foreclosures in Maine. In general, foreclosure activity at Maine banks and credit unions appears to be lower than in many other states and it does not pose a threat to the stability of Maine-chartered financial institutions.

March 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On March 10, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Augusta District Court for homeowners who have been ordered to attend as part of the new foreclosure mediation process; lenders and their attorneys in these cases are also invited to attend, although their attendance is not mandatory. The Supreme Judicial Court designed informational sessions to educate homeowners about the foreclosure mediation process and it is hoped that as a result of these sessions, the parties will be better prepared to use mediation sessions productively.

February 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on February 26, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Ellsworth District Court for homeowners who have been ordered to attend as part of the foreclosure mediation process. The Foreclosure Diversion Program is the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court established a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine.

February 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on February 19, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session for homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure in Cumberland County. The Foreclosure Diversion Program is the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court established a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine.

December 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- On December 21, 2009, the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, by adding Rule 93. Effective January 1, 2010, M.R. Civ. P. 93 will govern the operation of the Foreclosure Diversion Program.

AUGUSTA, ME - December 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bureau of Financial Institutions Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain, III announced this week that third quarter 2009 data submitted by Maine-chartered banks and credit unions shows a continuing modest increase in home foreclosures in Maine. In general, foreclosure activity at Maine banks and credit unions appears to be lower than in many other states and it does not pose a threat to the stability of Maine-chartered financial institutions.

AUGUSTA, ME - November 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Janet Mills today joined the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general of twenty-six other states in a national crackdown against foreclosure rescue and mortgage modification operations. These companies prey on consumers who are desperate to save their homes from foreclosure.

November 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Foreclosure Diversion Program is opening up a limited number of spaces in its loan modification tools training for Foreclosure Diversion Program mediators, attorneys affiliated with Maine Attorneys Saving Homes, and Maine State Housing Authority staff, to interested attorneys. The December 2, 2009, training to be held at the Augusta Civic Center will be focused on various loan modification programs and the FDIC’s mod-in-a-box tool that will be used in the program. The training will start at 9 A.M. and end at 4 P.M. The Foreclosure Diversion Program will seek CLE credit approval for this training. The training will cost $50, which must be received before December 2, 2009. The fee is non-refundable

October 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The newly enacted Foreclosure Diversion Program seeks applicants who are interested in being trained as foreclosure mediators in preparation for the program’s state-wide launch in 2010. Professionals trained in the areas of law, accounting, banking, or mediation as well individuals with work experience that includes foreclosures, credit and collections work, or work done on behalf of creditors or debtors in actions to collect on mortgages, notes, or debts are encouraged to apply

Professional & Financial Regulation - Financial Institutions. September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain, III announced this week that recently completed analysis by the Bureau of Financial Institutions of second quarter 2009 data submitted by Maine-chartered banks and credit unions shows a continuing modest increase in home foreclosures in Maine.

September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on September 23, 2009 the York County Pilot Project of the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session for homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure. The York County Pilot Project and the Foreclosure Diversion Program are the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court will establish a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine. Although the Act requires that the mediation program be available statewide in 2010, the Court launched the Pilot Project on August 3, 2009, in York County to gain a better understanding before the Diversion Program is offered throughout the State. This first informational session will be held at the District Court in Springvale

AUGUSTA, ME - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Maine homeowners receiving a recorded phone message from someone telling them to call "Maine Housing Authority" to help with foreclosure or to refinance their mortgage may be victims of a scam, state housing officials warned today