Source: NewsSun

Those affected by foreclosure may see some relief as courts statewide have been ordered to expedite and mediate for those losing their home.

The Florida Supreme Court ordered local judges this week to adopt a uniform mediation program to help pare down nearly 450,000 current foreclosure cases clogging the state’s courtrooms.

According to Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine, Highlands County currently has 1,502 homes in the system pending foreclosure, with a few more waiting to be filed.

Germaine said that the county currently has five Supreme Court approved mediators, but he does not see the change making a difference in the judge’s docket, nor in the amount of cases filed.

“If we see a 10 percent reduction in a judge’s time, I will be surprised. The case still has to be filed, and by the time it gets to the courts, our local banks have already tried what they could to work out a solution,” Germaine said.

After the homes are foreclosed, then they are sold at a sheriff’s sale, but even at a discount, they are not moving.

“No one is showing up for the sales, and the banks are taking them back right now,” Germaine said.

Continue Reading