Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 23, 2026 |
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.
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 20, 2026 |
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.
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 18, 2026 |
Student Loan Debt and Bankruptcy: What Orange County Homeowners Need to Know Right Now
By Charles W. Daff, Attorney at Law
If you're an Orange County homeowner struggling with both mortgage payments and student loan debt, the landscape has changed dramatically. What was once considered nearly i...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 16, 2026 |
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.
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 13, 2026 |
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.
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 12, 2026 |
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.
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Apr 24, 2023 |
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, April 24, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Charles Daff, bankruptcy law expert, wins the Best of Los Angeles Award- "Best Bankruptcy Attorney - 2023", according to Aurora DeRose, award coordinator for the Best of Los Angeles Award community.
The "Best of Los Angeles Award...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 30, 2023 |
Charles Daff, Renowned Bankruptcy Law Expert, says self-reflection is a top priority in a post-COVID-19 World. “The pandemic made people aware of their own mortality,” says Daff. During the pandemic, the way people lived and conducted business abruptly changed, giving many individuals plenty of o...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jan 30, 2023 |
Charles Daff, Top Bankruptcy Expert, weighs in on the shocking repercussions of “COVID-Hangover.” According to McKnights Senior Living, a new report by Gibbins Advisors says that the "hangover" from COVID includes dwindling government support for the disease, the inability to pass on cost increas...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Dec 22, 2022 |
“We're honored to include Charles Daff into our BoLAA family.” ~Aurora DeRose
The mission of the community is to celebrate the best of Los Angeles, and allow its community members to connect with other members who share the highest standards of quality and integrity.”— Aurora DeRose
LOS ANGELES, ...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jul 12, 2021 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jun 25, 2021 |
Most consumers wonder what is the effect of a bankruptcy case for them personally and for their creditors. The best place to start is to consult with a bankruptcy attorney. A bankruptcy case is designed in the law to provide debtors with relief from oppressive creditors. A consultation with a ban...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
May 07, 2021 |
Effective January 1, 2021: Gov. Newsom signed SB 1079, Homes for Homeowners, Not Corporations by Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. SB 1079 is designed to prevent the scenario California experienced during the Great Recession when large corporations bulk-purchased foreclosed homes, causing owner-occ...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Apr 01, 2021 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 26, 2021 |
Industry experts are keeping a close eye on delinquency rates, as the U.S. economy gradually emerges from a pandemic-caused recession and an end to forbearance programs loom on a not-too-distant horizon. The experts at AEI Housing Center, which provides market predictions and studies, recently pu...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 19, 2021 |
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 ...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Mar 18, 2021 |
If you plan to file bankruptcy, there are several things you should or must do prior to filing—or even before retaining an attorney.
Here is a brief, non-exhaustive list of the dos and don'ts before filing bankruptcy.
1. DO take your Credit Counseling course, online or over the phone. This takes ...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Sep 09, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Aug 25, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Aug 12, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Aug 05, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jul 29, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jul 22, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jul 15, 2020 |
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...
Posted by
Charles W. Daff |
Jul 08, 2020 |
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...