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Delinquent Wells Fargo homeowners invited to workshop in Tampa

 
Published July 30, 2014

A nascent recovery in the housing market aside, Tampa Bay still has more than its share of residents struggling to stay in their homes.

Example: Wells Fargo shipped out more than 4,000 letters to customers who are either 30 days past due or have indicated they are struggling to make their mortgage payments, inviting them to attend a "home preservation workshop" next week.

As with past events, about 75 Wells Fargo loan specialists and HUD-approved credit counselors will be available to meet with delinquent homeowners who might qualify for a loan modification or the federal government's Home Affordable Modification Program.

"Two out of three times we can find a solution on the spot," Wells Fargo spokeswoman Kathy Harrison said, sometimes including principal forgiveness.

Harrison hopes that at least 300 people respond.

"There's still a need," she said. "In a 50-mile radius, there are 4,200 homeowners who are more than 30 days past due or have indicated they have a problem. There's an awful lot of people who are underwater or are struggling."

This is the fourth time Wells Fargo has held a "home preservation workshop" in Tampa since the fall of 2009. Nationwide, the bank has helped more than 949,000 customers with modifications, said community outreach director Hugh Rowden.

The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Hotel, 2900 Bayport Drive.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is strongly recommended in order to guarantee meeting one on one with a representative.

Customers should register by Sunday at wfhmevents.com/leadingthewayhome. Or call 1-800-405-8067 for information.