Class shows homeowners wiggle room in hard times

ORLANDO, Fla. – April 7, 2008 – Vince Gabrielly bought his Orlando home two years ago. But with less income from his two businesses, he said, the monthly mortgage payment is a heavier burden now.“I’m not behind on my payments or anything,” Gabrielly said. “But I think information is important to have. You just don’t know what’s going to happen down the line.”Gabrielly was one of a handful of people at the Beardall Senior Center on Saturday to attend the first of six foreclosure workshops during the next two months. Organized by the city of Orlando, the workshops are meant to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, prevent scams and get guidance if they do decide to relinquish their homes.“People are afraid,” said Cora Fulmore, president of the Mortgage & Credit Center, LLC, in Winter Garden. “They think if they call the lender, that’ll speed up the foreclosure process. That’s not true. They need to communicate with the lender and they should fully share their financial situation.”Leila Allen, director of Orlando’s Housing and Community Development Department, said about 70 foreclosure notices go out to homeowners in Orange County each day. The crisis is such that lenders and government organizations, such as her agency, have become involved to help salvage the industry.

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