WPCNR THE REALTY REPORT. From the Westchester County Clerk's Office. April 13, 2008: At the beginning of April, Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni released figures showing a "significant increase in foreclosure filings" in the county. The County Clerk  urges Westchester residents who may be at risk of foreclosure, to seek help immediately. 

           “We want Westchester residents to be able to live comfortably in our county, but the first quarter of 2008, which ended on March 31^st, brought with it another significant increase in foreclosure filings,” the release quotes  Idoni. 

           “And more disturbing than the increase in foreclosure filings is the increase in the number of actions resulting in a judgment of foreclosure,” said Idoni.  “Comparing judgments from the first quarters of 2007 and 2008, shows an increase of 80 percent,” continued Idoni.   “Westchester residents need our help.” 

Locally in White Plains forclosure actions statistics begun in the first quarter of 2008, jumped 54%.

Idoni urged residents facing foreclosure or having problems meeting their mortgage obligations to consider investigating the following steps and to avoid "foreclosure rescuers": 

Attend Operation Protect Your Home:  The New York State Senate Westchester Delegation is sponsoring “Operation Protect Your Home” on Saturday, April 5^th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Roosevelt High School, 631 Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers.  There will be various educational seminars throughout the day as well as opportunities to meet with mortgage counselors.

Contact Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO):  WRO is a non-profit housing agency with offices in White Plains and Mount Vernon.   Call one of their trained counselors at 428-4507 or visit their website at www.wroinc.org to see how they can help you.

Contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):  Contact HUD to obtain the name of a reputable counseling agency by visiting www.hud.gov or calling 1-800-569-4287.

·         If you have been served with foreclosure papers, understand that you can still get help.  The commencement of a foreclosure action does not mean that a Westchester home will be lost to foreclosure.  Many homeowners enter into a repayment plan, secure a modified loan, refinance with another lender or sell their home on their own to avoid foreclosure.  Do not give up.  Instead, take advantage of the resources outlined above.

·         Beware of foreclosure rescue scams.  Unfortunately the current foreclosure climate brings with it a new set of con artists just waiting to take advantage of residents who are under the stress of foreclosure action.  Making a bad situation worse can be avoided by relying on a reputable counseling agency or a trusted attorney to guide you through the process.

Foreclosure Actions Commenced and Judged -- Last four Years.

1^st Quarter Foreclosure Statistics for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

Annual Foreclosures Month by Month In Westchester County for 2005, 2006 and 2007