By Darryl Hutchinson

February 11, 2011 2:18 p.m.

Californian’sface some of the highest foreclosure rates in the Nation. Concerned about the increased number of families in the South Bay area losing their homes to foreclosure, a local group and Councilwomen English have joined together to help address the needs of homeowners who may be behind on their mortgage payments or are facing foreclosure for any reason.

MortgageRecovery Service Center will conduct an outreach event for residents concerned about foreclosure on Saturday April 9th from 10am to 1pm at Hawthorne Memorial Center, 3901 West El Segundo Blvd, in Hawthorne, California. South Bay residents in Hawthorne, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Gardena, and Inglewood parishes are encouraged to come.

“Foreclosure is a big problem not only across the U.S., but also right here in South Bay” believes Darryl Hutchinson, founder of MortgageRecovery Service Center theorganization providing mortgage loan evaluations to homeowners. “Others think that they are the only ones facing foreclosure, but they are wrong. Foreclosure has been a big problem here in South Bay since 2008.”

“People are scared of losing their biggest investment – the roof over their head – and don’t know where to turn for help or advice,” Hutchinson said. “Maybe they’ve had bad experiences with their lender or servicer and are feeling hopeless about a resolution. “We want people who are facing foreclosure to know that the worst thing you can do is to ignore the calls and the notices,” he said. “We will have a small team of experienced counselors at this April 9th event that are ready, willing and able to provide good counsel and help you through the maze of options that are available.”
 

Agencies qualified to offer one-on-one individual counseling will provide assistance at no cost to the homeowner, organizers said. “In the last few months we have seen a dramatic rise in mortgage-rescue scams in our communities,” said Hutchinson.

“There is no legitimate reason to pay someone to modify their loan. The event will include a general-information session that will discuss foreclosure-prevention resources as well as financial and legal options available to help homeowners prevent foreclosure. The workshop will include information on your rights as a homeowner, loan modification and loss prevention options, foreclosure-rescue scams, fair housing laws and resources, and home ownership opportunities and resources.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved agencies specially qualified to offer one-on-one individual counseling will provide assistance at no cost to the homeowner if homeowner’s call them, organizers said.“Loan modifications under the federal government’s Making Home Affordable Program are free and homeowners must work with their mortgage company to apply and be patient.

Only the mortgage company can agree to modify a mortgage, and only the homeowner can apply for a loan modification. If homeowners need assistance navigating the application process, they should seek out a HUD-certified housing counselor, like those that will be at the event on April 9th.”

Agencies conducting the Homeownership Preservation Resource fair include Mortgage Recovery Service Center and Daniels International Group Network. Other Agency participation may include; Neighborhood Housing Services, Fannie Mae, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board of California, and the State of California Office of Financial Institutions. Not confirmed yet!
 

For more information or to find a counselor in your area please call (310) 957-7079 and speak to Darryl.