Maryland's Foreclosure Mediation Program
What You Need to Know About Foreclosure Mediation
Maryland’s new Foreclosure Mediation Law will take effect July 1, 2010. The law requires mortgage lenders and servicers to be much more responsive to homeowners facing foreclosure. The goal of the law is to help homeowners get relief through a loan modification if they qualify or to find an alternative to foreclosure. The law gives homeowners a new opportunity to meet with the lender and an independent party to ensure that alternatives to foreclosure have been considered and evaluated.
Mediation is a process that can be used to resolve disagreements outside a courtroom. Both sides meet with a neutral third party who tries to help them find a resolution. “Foreclosure Mediation” under this new law is designed to help foster a dialogue between homeowners and lenders to make sure a fair assessment is made and the homeowner is offered any options they may qualify for.
Responsibilities of Lenders
Under this law, when a lender notifies a homeowner about possible foreclosure, the lender also must provide more complete information about options available to homeowners, including information about specific modification programs, such as the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), any lender-specific programs, and resources and assistance available from nonprofit organizations and government. If a homeowner fills out and returns a loan modification application, the lender must evaluate the request and document their decision before foreclosure can proceed to the next step. Should a lender take the next step, and initiate foreclosure proceedings with the court system, they must also send the homeowner a “Request for Mediation” form.
Responsibilities of Homeowners
Homeowners must contact their lenders and be responsive to any applications for loan modification programs or other alternatives to foreclosure that they may offer. If the home facing foreclosure is a homeowner’s principal residence, the homeowner will have the right to request mediation once the lender initiates foreclosure proceedings with the court system. At that time, the lender must send a “Request for Foreclosure Mediation” form. Homeowners will have 15 days to complete the form and file it with the Circuit Court. Homeowners must pay a non-refundable $50 fee when they formally file this request for mediation.
You should not wait until you can request mediation before starting efforts to save your home.
**** EVEN THOUGH LOAN MODIFICATIONS CAN BE DONE ON YOUR OWN YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HIRING AN EXPERT TO CONSULT, PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TO PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS FOR SUBMISSION! YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT! CALL ME, I CAN HELP! 240-882-4683 OR EMAIL ROBYN@VISIONSREALTYINC.COM
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, February 23, 2009
Peace! Be Still!
One day a King asked two artist to paint him a picture of peace.
The first artist returned with a picture of a beach, white waters, calm waves, beautiful sunset and a Robin bird sitting on a ever still tree branch.... singing .... And the King said "awww, peace".
The second artist return with his picture, also on a beach. But his picture was dark, the seas were violent, winds were fierce and the trees were bending, almost to a break ~ and still that Robin bird, was sitting on a shaking, brittle branch...singing...And the King said, "WOW, NOW THAT'S PEACE!"
I decided that the bird in that story was a Robin bird...of course! Because I am like the bird in both of those paintings. My peace is not contingent upon what is going on around me. My peace is rooted in the Word of God! I am sure that while the bird in the first painting was sitting, effortlessly on his branch, the bird in the second painting had his claws dug deeply in that branch, yet holdin' on! But regardless of the turmoil and no matter what she had to do to hang on - peace was ever present!
I believe the God I serve. I believe every Word He has written in His Word!
"A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you." Ps. 91:7 - I believe that!
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Ps 84:11 - I believe that!
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up A standard against him." Isaiah 59:19(b) - I believe that!
"For all God's promises are "Yes" in him. And so through him we can say "Amen," to the glory of God. - I believe that!
My peace permeates from my confidence in the promise of God! He loves me and I love Him. Together we are unstoppable and unmovable!
Peace! Be still!
The first artist returned with a picture of a beach, white waters, calm waves, beautiful sunset and a Robin bird sitting on a ever still tree branch.... singing .... And the King said "awww, peace".
The second artist return with his picture, also on a beach. But his picture was dark, the seas were violent, winds were fierce and the trees were bending, almost to a break ~ and still that Robin bird, was sitting on a shaking, brittle branch...singing...And the King said, "WOW, NOW THAT'S PEACE!"
I decided that the bird in that story was a Robin bird...of course! Because I am like the bird in both of those paintings. My peace is not contingent upon what is going on around me. My peace is rooted in the Word of God! I am sure that while the bird in the first painting was sitting, effortlessly on his branch, the bird in the second painting had his claws dug deeply in that branch, yet holdin' on! But regardless of the turmoil and no matter what she had to do to hang on - peace was ever present!
I believe the God I serve. I believe every Word He has written in His Word!
"A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you." Ps. 91:7 - I believe that!
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Ps 84:11 - I believe that!
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up A standard against him." Isaiah 59:19(b) - I believe that!
"For all God's promises are "Yes" in him. And so through him we can say "Amen," to the glory of God. - I believe that!
My peace permeates from my confidence in the promise of God! He loves me and I love Him. Together we are unstoppable and unmovable!
Peace! Be still!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
God's The Boss ~ and Don't You Forget It!
Every believer has discovered the Lord as his Savior, but have we discovered God as El Elyon and El Shaddia?
El Elyon literally means God Most High, creator and possessor of heaven and earth! Our God is not just the greatest of all gods. He is the only true and living God! The creator of the entire universe! Everything in it belongs to Him--all wealth and possessions...He is in control of everything you see around you! He's the boss!
El Shaddia is the Hebrew phrase for Almighty God. It literally means God, all powerful and all sufficient. God is not only in control of all things but He always keeps His Word. No obstacle or situation can prevent Him from His Word coming to pass.
I am not bound my natural law! I am not subject to what seems impossible in the earth! I can do ANYTHING AT ANYTIME! Nothing can stop my promise, I am El Shaddai and I guarantee My Word!
How powerful is that! So many times we can find ourselves focusing on the impossibilities of our situation. We can't see any natural way to get out of it. Nothing seems to be lining up. We're too old, we're too young, we're too broke, we're too far gone and so on, and so on...
But our way of escape, our way out of seeing the impossible is in the Name of God. It's in knowing who God really is...He's God. And we are able to walk upright before Him not because we have willpower and knowledge but more because we are fully persuaded that El Elyon and El Shaddai is all powerful and will keep His promise to us!
The evidence of this faith is our restful hearts! We can be like Paul who said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He said he knew how to abound (how to have plenty) and how to be abase (how to have little) Either way, he was content because he knew El Shaddia! Whatever He promised, He would definitley deliver!
Rest in the promise of God. Trust Him. Seek His face, stay focused on Him and He will get you to the expected and desired end that He has in store for you.
It really doesn't matter what's going on around you; it only matters what's going on inside of you ~ the Holy Spirit has filled you and is ministering to you everyday. Just yield and know, God's the Boss and you better not forget it! :)
Until next time!
El Elyon literally means God Most High, creator and possessor of heaven and earth! Our God is not just the greatest of all gods. He is the only true and living God! The creator of the entire universe! Everything in it belongs to Him--all wealth and possessions...He is in control of everything you see around you! He's the boss!
El Shaddia is the Hebrew phrase for Almighty God. It literally means God, all powerful and all sufficient. God is not only in control of all things but He always keeps His Word. No obstacle or situation can prevent Him from His Word coming to pass.
I am not bound my natural law! I am not subject to what seems impossible in the earth! I can do ANYTHING AT ANYTIME! Nothing can stop my promise, I am El Shaddai and I guarantee My Word!
How powerful is that! So many times we can find ourselves focusing on the impossibilities of our situation. We can't see any natural way to get out of it. Nothing seems to be lining up. We're too old, we're too young, we're too broke, we're too far gone and so on, and so on...
But our way of escape, our way out of seeing the impossible is in the Name of God. It's in knowing who God really is...He's God. And we are able to walk upright before Him not because we have willpower and knowledge but more because we are fully persuaded that El Elyon and El Shaddai is all powerful and will keep His promise to us!
The evidence of this faith is our restful hearts! We can be like Paul who said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He said he knew how to abound (how to have plenty) and how to be abase (how to have little) Either way, he was content because he knew El Shaddia! Whatever He promised, He would definitley deliver!
Rest in the promise of God. Trust Him. Seek His face, stay focused on Him and He will get you to the expected and desired end that He has in store for you.
It really doesn't matter what's going on around you; it only matters what's going on inside of you ~ the Holy Spirit has filled you and is ministering to you everyday. Just yield and know, God's the Boss and you better not forget it! :)
Until next time!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Behold, this dreamer cometh! Genesis 37:19
There is something about a dreamer! Not a dreamer in the sense of someone with their heads up in the clouds, but a visionary... A dreamer is not easily swayed to move off of what he sees or knows to be true. Once a dreamer sees the end result, he is almost destined to reach that goal!
But there is something else very unique about dreamers...they are always surrounded by "dream thieves"! Dream Thieves are almost as determined as the dreamer, but their desire is to see the dream die.
Dream Thieves don't always come in the form of people; Satan is too clever for that. No, he sends the economy, job loss and declining markets to form what he believes to be insurmountable odds against what you know to be your destiny - the dream fulfilled.
But I love the scripture that reminds me "As for you [Satan - Dream Thief], you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result! Genesis 50:20
I have to admit, Satan's no slouch! He almost had me going for a while there! My daughter is on her way to college - how are we going to pay for it now? Hmmm...for the past 7 years we knew our income was much to high to ever qualify for financial aid, so we set ourselves to pay cash - $50,000 per year - no problem right...well that was then and this is now...
While Satan thought he would mess with our finances, all he really did was gave us optimum qualification for financial aid and scholarships! Not only that, he made it possible for me to also pay for Law School for myself- with Financial Aid! As a matter of fact, business was so busy at one time, I never knew how I would even be able to accomplish the goal of attending Law School...well, I have the time and the money now!
And you thought Evil against me!!! God used it for my good! And to make matters even better, because I am a tither and a faithful disciple of Christ, business is improving in the midst of this economy ~
You can't stop destiny. So to the world I say, BEHOLD, THIS DREAMER COMETH! And she can't be stopped...and neither can you! Dream on and don't let anything or anyone stop the vision from coming to pass.
But there is something else very unique about dreamers...they are always surrounded by "dream thieves"! Dream Thieves are almost as determined as the dreamer, but their desire is to see the dream die.
Dream Thieves don't always come in the form of people; Satan is too clever for that. No, he sends the economy, job loss and declining markets to form what he believes to be insurmountable odds against what you know to be your destiny - the dream fulfilled.
But I love the scripture that reminds me "As for you [Satan - Dream Thief], you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result! Genesis 50:20
I have to admit, Satan's no slouch! He almost had me going for a while there! My daughter is on her way to college - how are we going to pay for it now? Hmmm...for the past 7 years we knew our income was much to high to ever qualify for financial aid, so we set ourselves to pay cash - $50,000 per year - no problem right...well that was then and this is now...
While Satan thought he would mess with our finances, all he really did was gave us optimum qualification for financial aid and scholarships! Not only that, he made it possible for me to also pay for Law School for myself- with Financial Aid! As a matter of fact, business was so busy at one time, I never knew how I would even be able to accomplish the goal of attending Law School...well, I have the time and the money now!
And you thought Evil against me!!! God used it for my good! And to make matters even better, because I am a tither and a faithful disciple of Christ, business is improving in the midst of this economy ~
You can't stop destiny. So to the world I say, BEHOLD, THIS DREAMER COMETH! And she can't be stopped...and neither can you! Dream on and don't let anything or anyone stop the vision from coming to pass.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Faithfulness of God
God is Faithful!
Proverbs 24:6
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
Psalm 37:23-25
The steps of a good man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Even if he has a fall he will not be without help: for the hand of the Lord is supporting him. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.
I admit, there were times over the past year that I felt I had just fell right off the "high" horse, sort of speak! I had spent years growing in the knowledge of God. I matriculated from babe in Christ to Minister of the Gospel; 17 years dedicated to getting to know Jesus; 10 years of financial freedom and then 2008 happened! What a year! Good Ridden!!!
I really could not understand what had knocked me down. As a matter of fact, I spent so much time trying to figure out how I got knocked down, I failed to take control and get back up! I think I was in shock! I had suddenly been faced with financial challenges and "people" challenges...it was an interesting year to say the least...But God!
Finally, 2009 I had an epiphany! I remembered who I was and more importantly who I belonged to! I am a child of the Most High God. He calls me righteous and a good man! And yes, the Bible says that my footsteps are ordered by God. And because they are ordered by God, though I may fall, I shall rise again! Even if I fall seven times (God forbid) I will rise again! And not only will I rise, but that stumbling block Satan put in my path, the one I somehow missed and failed to dodge, it will not accomplish what Satan set out for it to accomplish. Those stumbling blocks were meant to destroy me, but the hand of God supported me and He was my help!
So I am constantly reminded that God is faithful! No, it doesn't feel good to fall. I don't like it at all. I was created to be on top and to stay on top. As a matter of fact, the God I serve says He is able (and I believe willing) to keep me from falling! Nonetheless, God gets the glory out of it! I have learned much and have been able to teach much through all of this. I have actually come out of 2008 stronger, wiser and much more determined to be an example.
So I leave my enemy with this:
Genesis 50:20
Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.
Proverbs 24:6
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
Psalm 37:23-25
The steps of a good man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Even if he has a fall he will not be without help: for the hand of the Lord is supporting him. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.
I admit, there were times over the past year that I felt I had just fell right off the "high" horse, sort of speak! I had spent years growing in the knowledge of God. I matriculated from babe in Christ to Minister of the Gospel; 17 years dedicated to getting to know Jesus; 10 years of financial freedom and then 2008 happened! What a year! Good Ridden!!!
I really could not understand what had knocked me down. As a matter of fact, I spent so much time trying to figure out how I got knocked down, I failed to take control and get back up! I think I was in shock! I had suddenly been faced with financial challenges and "people" challenges...it was an interesting year to say the least...But God!
Finally, 2009 I had an epiphany! I remembered who I was and more importantly who I belonged to! I am a child of the Most High God. He calls me righteous and a good man! And yes, the Bible says that my footsteps are ordered by God. And because they are ordered by God, though I may fall, I shall rise again! Even if I fall seven times (God forbid) I will rise again! And not only will I rise, but that stumbling block Satan put in my path, the one I somehow missed and failed to dodge, it will not accomplish what Satan set out for it to accomplish. Those stumbling blocks were meant to destroy me, but the hand of God supported me and He was my help!
So I am constantly reminded that God is faithful! No, it doesn't feel good to fall. I don't like it at all. I was created to be on top and to stay on top. As a matter of fact, the God I serve says He is able (and I believe willing) to keep me from falling! Nonetheless, God gets the glory out of it! I have learned much and have been able to teach much through all of this. I have actually come out of 2008 stronger, wiser and much more determined to be an example.
So I leave my enemy with this:
Genesis 50:20
Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
This is our Year!
I am so glad that I have a role model and mentor such as Dr. Dee Dee Freeman! As I have watched her grow and evolve as a Woman of God, I too have evolved into a better person, a more diverse person, a more enlightened person and a person, much more in touch with the Will and Purpose of God.
"Begin to Dream Again!" "You are entitled to your dreams!" These were the directives Dr. Dee Dee proclaimed as she ministered an awesome word "I Have a Dream" during today's Women Walking in the Word Fellowhip.
You know, even those of us who have learned to live by faith - keeping our eyes on God, can get distracted by the unprecedented events in todays economy. Dreams were fading, dreams were being altered and many dreams had been vacated - all being dictated by the circumstances of the day. But now, I have made a decision to DREAM AGAIN!
I have pulled out my goals, dreams and vision and looked at them asking "Can these dead bones live again?" And thanks to my mentor, my Woman of God, Dr. Dee Dee, I was reminded of the answer. The answer that has been proclaimed so much over the past 2 years during our historic presidential election. The answer that was spawn on the heels of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King over 40 years ago. The answer to Can my dreams live again? Or more appropriately, Can I dream again....
YES, I CAN!
and now,
YES, I WILL!
"Begin to Dream Again!" "You are entitled to your dreams!" These were the directives Dr. Dee Dee proclaimed as she ministered an awesome word "I Have a Dream" during today's Women Walking in the Word Fellowhip.
You know, even those of us who have learned to live by faith - keeping our eyes on God, can get distracted by the unprecedented events in todays economy. Dreams were fading, dreams were being altered and many dreams had been vacated - all being dictated by the circumstances of the day. But now, I have made a decision to DREAM AGAIN!
I have pulled out my goals, dreams and vision and looked at them asking "Can these dead bones live again?" And thanks to my mentor, my Woman of God, Dr. Dee Dee, I was reminded of the answer. The answer that has been proclaimed so much over the past 2 years during our historic presidential election. The answer that was spawn on the heels of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King over 40 years ago. The answer to Can my dreams live again? Or more appropriately, Can I dream again....
YES, I CAN!
and now,
YES, I WILL!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Happy Blogging!
Okay! I'm excited about blogging! Not sure how all of this works, but you know, it reminds me of when I use to keep a journal! So, stay tuned!
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