Courts Clogged With Foreclosure Cases

September 29th, 2008 | Tags: Foreclosures

The courts are clogged with foreclosure cases and can hardly move. Lee County has chalked out a new plan that will put the courts on a fast track. Kevin Gadsby residing in Dean Park and owns many houses. He refers to his place of residence as a historical place whose serene atmosphere attracts visitors. The place has a story to tell. But it is a different story across the street. The house has been foreclosed. Gadsby bemoans that there is nobody to care. “It’s a shame”, he adds.

The Code Enforcement personnel tell WINK that there are many houses in similar condition. These are eyesores. The maintenance business is up because vacant foreclosure houses get stuck in the queue and needs looking after till the date comes. In many instances no settlement has been reached and the fate is hanging in the balance. This means there is nobody accountable for the property said Charlie Green, Clerk of Courts.

The houses hanging in limbo slowly begin to fall apart. This brings down the quality of life in the locality as well as the price of adjoining houses. Criminals and mosquito borne diseases take over. The reporter is shown one property that has been boarded up thrice. It badly needs cleaning up.

The court has drawn up taking all things into account a plan. There are 23 thousand pending foreclosure cases. These will be put on a fast track and be given a definite date. Part time judges will take part in the plan to share the workload. The plan will take off from 1st October. The cases will be listed and entered electronically.

If the foreclosed houses get over the court hurdle and are put into the market then the owner will be identified. The house will no longer stand empty and eerie like an abandoned orphan. The locals will be happy to see the change. Gadsby added, “I feel personally that when you keep your property nice, it boosts the morale, where you live.”

The entire staff is working hand in hand – especially the clerk’s office of the court. The driving force is the idea that the faster foreclosed houses the better it is for all. They hope that within a year the backlog will be cleared.

Hopes are one thing but reality is another. Despite palliatives and remedial measures incoming surge of foreclosures are surging the markets causing further trouble for courts. Some states have decided to increase foreclosure fees.