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88 Florida Minority Certified Business MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD COUNTIES 786-499-6994 www.REOPitStop.com Luis@ContinentalRealtors.com RESNET ID: 106089 | Equator ID: 272261 Luis F. Guzman Broker/Owner FLORIDA Secretary Carson: HUD Aiding South Floridians On Oct. 7, the Miami Herald published an op-ed by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, highlighting the work HUD has done to help families recover from Hurricane Irma. According to HUD, hundreds of men and women are working to ensure safe, affordable housing for those affected by the disaster. Prior to Irma's impact, many HUD employees volunteered to go to Florida to serve immediately as a partner to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and assist individuals and families in need of resources, according to the article. Secretary Carson said he visited Florida to monitor HUD's progress, talk with residents, and ensure HUD provides everything it can to support the rebuilding effort. As part of the response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts, HUD's primary job is to "use the best data available to ensure disaster recovery funding is targeted to the hardest-hit areas." "We will put our knowledge, experience, and expertise to work in coordination with state and local authorities," Secretary Carson said. "In the months and years ahead, HUD will play a central role in Florida's integrated efforts to rebuild lives and communities." In addition, Secretary Carson said he is in touch with Gov. Rick Scott and his staff, as HUD is helping to locate vacancies to move vulnerable residents into safer housing. "We are working closely with FEMA and shelters around the state to ensure they have the resources they need to serve displaced Flo- ridians, and ultimately help these families find longer-term housing," Secretary Carson said. Secretary Carson continued to explain that HUD is also providing special mortgage relief through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). HUD has already granted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures for FHA-insured properties in disaster-affected areas. "We offer loan forbearance and loan modi- fications for borrowers struggling to make payments in disaster-affected areas," he added. Specific mortgage products for those im- pacted by disasters—as some homeowners whose properties were destroyed or damaged may be eligible for 100 percent financing through HUD's Section 203(h) program. According to Secretary Carson, this will enable them to rebuild or buy another home. In addition, homeowners can use Section 203(k) FHA insurance to refinance an existing mortgage into a new mortgage that covers the cost of repairs. Law Firm's New Ownership Shatters Florida Legal Glass Ceiling One of Florida's well-established creditor foreclosure, litigation, and bankruptcy law firms has shattered the glass ceiling of woman-owned law firms. Andrea Tromberg, Esq. has acquired Gladstone Law Group, the firm at which she has served as managing partner since 2011. Now branded Tromberg Law Group, the firm is 100 percent woman-owned. is ownership change and renaming of the firm to Tromberg Law Group is breaking new ground in the Florida legal community. Tromberg Law Group is now one of the largest woman-owned creditor firms in Florida serving the U.S. and Puerto Rico. "I don't view myself as any kind of pioneer," Tromberg said. "I have worked for some of the largest servicers and investors in the industry, and I am looking forward to continuing a leader- ship role in our field. I believe it is the best firms with the best attorneys that ultimately succeed. at's what we already have at Tromberg Law Group. But if I can help pave the way just a little bit, I am proud to be a part of it." Since Tromberg has faced adversity through- out her career, she understands her success wouldn't be without a strong team to support her. Tromberg said she is proud of the team she has built—which includes highly-skilled and diverse professionals. "A good leader knows that she cannot do it alone," added Tromberg. "A dedicated and talented group is essential to success." In 2010, Tromberg joined Gladstone Law Group and during her tenure, she was instru- mental in creating a strong litigation department and appellate division. Meanwhile, she improved processes and built a strong legal team. With her leadership, her firm became a major participant in leading appellate cases that are now landmark decisions in Florida concern- ing the statute of limitations, lien priority, and standing in foreclosure cases. In addition, Tromberg serves on the Board of Directors for the American Legal and Financial Network (ALFN). She has served on numer- ous committees and is a current member of the leadership committee for Women in Legal Leadership (WILL). Tromberg has been engaged as a speaker at various events, including those of ALFN, NARCA, Five Star and other groups to discuss hot topics in the industry such as the statute of limitations, proposed bills in Congress, ethics, FDCPA claims, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). LOUISIANA Baton Rouge Sees Largest YOY Decline in Home Sales Last month, Redfin released a housing market report—providing insights based on data reported for October 2017. e report breaks down its information into four main categories, including; competition, A recent study by LendingTree examined the migration patterns of U.S. residents wanting to relocate to a new state, finding that the South—specifically Florida—is leading the way in terms of moving trends. KNOW THIS

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