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Mortgage Rates Jump Half a Point in Three Weeks — What SoCal Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Need to Know

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 23, 2026 | 0 Comments

If you own a home in Southern California, the last three weeks have been unsettling. The average 30-year fixed rate has climbed from near three-year lows to roughly 6.31%–6.37% — a swing of more than half a percentage point in barely three weeks. For homeowners already struggling with payments, that kind of volatility doesn't just make refinancing harder. It makes the window to act feel like it's closing fast.

Mortgage Rates Climb as Fed Holds Steady — What SoCal Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Need to Know

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 20, 2026 | 0 Comments

The Federal Reserve wrapped up its March meeting this week with a familiar refrain: rates held steady. The FOMC voted on March 18 to keep the benchmark federal funds rate at 3.5%–3.75%, citing elevated uncertainty tied to the conflict in Iran. But for Southern California homeowners watching their budgets tighten, the real story is what happened in the mortgage market — and what it means for anyone already behind on payments.

The Fed Meets This Week -- What It Means If You're Facing Forclosure

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 16, 2026 | 0 Comments

If the Fed holds rates — and they almost certainly will — mortgage rates stay where they are: right around 6%. That is actually not bad news if you are in distress. It means refinancing remains a viable option for homeowners who act before a foreclosure filing damages their credit score. It also means the broader Southern California housing market stays relatively stable, which protects your equity position. The latest data from ATTOM shows California recorded 2,790 foreclosure starts in January alone — the eleventh straight month of year-over-year increases. Meanwhile, existing home sales ticked up 1.7% in February, and the California Association of Realtors projects the statewide median price will reach approximately $905,000 this year, up about 3.6%. Translation: if you own a home in Orange, Riverside, LA, or San Bernardino County, there is a very good chance you are sitting on real equity — equity that can be protected if you act now. But here is the catch. Foreclosure filings are climbing nationally — up 26% year-over-year in January — and California ranked second in the country for completed foreclosures. The trend is gradual, not a crisis. But for the individual homeowner who has missed three or four payments, gradual national trends are irrelevant. Your timeline is personal, and it is already running.

Mortgage Rates Tick Up as Iran War Fuels Market Volatility - What SoCal Homeowners Need to Know

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 13, 2026 | 0 Comments

If you’ve been watching the housing market this week hoping for that elusive dip below 6%, this week’s numbers may have caught your attention for the wrong reasons. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed back to 6.11% according to Freddie Mac — up from 6.00% just last week — as the ongoing conflict in Iran continues to send shockwaves through energy markets and Treasury yields alike.

The Foreclosure Pipeline Is Building Momentum

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 12, 2026 | 0 Comments

If you're a bankruptcy professional handling real estate in Southern California right now, you're looking at a market that hasn't existed since before the pandemic: prices are softening, foreclosures are climbing, and inventory is finally loosening up. For those of us who spend our days working with distressed real estate in bankruptcy cases, this convergence of factors is creating the most actionable environment we've seen in years.

The Ins and Outs of Bankruptcy

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Jul 12, 2021 | 0 Comments

Has the pandemic piled so much debt on you that you're wondering whether you ought to file for bankruptcy? If so, that's not surprising. In the wake of coronavirus-related business shutdowns and job losses, personal bankruptcy filings spiked this year, with nearly 80,000 Americans hoping to erase...

What Are Important Bankruptcy Terms to Know

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Apr 01, 2021 | 0 Comments

Bankruptcy is a commonly discussed subject that impacts the lives of many people and businesses every year. During the bankruptcy process, you are likely to hear a handful of words and terms with which you may not be familiar. The legal world comes with its own language and jargon that can be int...

Why You Should Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Mar 19, 2021 | 1 Comment

If you've considered filing for bankruptcy, there is a high chance you'll be debating on whether or not to hire a bankruptcy attorney. Bankruptcy laws are highly intricate and a small error could have a big impact on the determination of the outcome. A bankruptcy lawyer is familiar with the laws ...

What Are the Negative Consequences of Bankruptcy

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Sep 09, 2020 | 0 Comments

The consequences of bankruptcy can have long-lasting effects and should not be taken lightly, but it can help people and businesses in debt. It can eliminate all or a portion of their debts and help them repay part of what they owe to creditors. However, while bankruptcy offers much-needed relief...

Charles W. Daff: Best Bankruptcy Attorney 2020

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Aug 25, 2020 | 0 Comments

Charles W. Daff, acclaimed bankruptcy attorney, was awarded a Best of Los Angeles Award. He earned the “Best Bankruptcy Attorney – 2020” award. The “Best of Los Angeles Award” community consists of over 7,000 professionals living and working in Southern California. This prestigious award celebrat...

How Does Bankruptcy Effect Tax Debt

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Aug 12, 2020 | 0 Comments

Most tax debt cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, and you are still required to pay the IRS if you file for bankruptcy. Declaring bankruptcy can offer individuals who are drowning in a magnitude of debt a sense of financial relief. However, if part of your debt includes taxes, you may not get the...

How to Prepare for Bankruptcy

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Aug 05, 2020 | 0 Comments

Filing for bankruptcy is complicated and overwhelming. Before you dive in, there are several steps you can take to prepare for bankruptcy. Following our advice can help you avoid making several mistakes that will cost you time and money in the long run. Taking these necessary actions before filin...

How to Handle Bankruptcy and A Divorce

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Jul 29, 2020 | 0 Comments

Bankruptcy and divorce are two of the most emotional and stressful life events that a person can endure. Dealing with one of those at a time can feel taxing, but handling them simultaneously is entirely overwhelming. If this is a reality you are facing, you may find it comforting that many others...

How to File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Jul 22, 2020 | 0 Comments

Individuals facing a considerable amount of debt and are thinking about bankruptcy have a couple of options: Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Those who do not meet Chapter 7 requirements because of your income are often advised by their bankruptcy attorney to file Chapter 13 bankru...

What Is an Automatic Stay?

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Jul 15, 2020 | 0 Comments

Debt is an overwhelming reality hundreds of thousands of Americans deal with every year. Many individuals face a magnitude of debt and may need to turn to bankruptcy for financial relief. Filing for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can give you the reprieve you need for a fresh start, beginnin...

Can I File for Bankruptcy without A Lawyer?

Posted by Charles W. Daff | Jul 08, 2020 | 0 Comments

When it comes to personal bankruptcy, you are not required to hire a lawyer. In some cases, you can file for bankruptcy on your own and represent yourself (also known as “pro se”). However, this requires plenty of time and thorough research. In most cases, it is wisest to hire a lawyer to help wi...

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