Colorado Springs Real Estate: Short Sales Save the Day
Short Sales are the hot real estate topic in Colorado Springs.
Faced with foreclosures, banks and homeowners are working with industrious market professionals to sell property at lower costs.
If a homeowner is behind on payments and is in danger of foreclosing, a realtor can assuage the situation with a short sale.
Short sales are tricky, though. According the Colorado Springs Business Journal, it takes a dedicated, savvy realtor to complete the process.
The article reports:
There are several keys to the process, but one of the most important is to contact the borrower’s lender. That’s a lot easier when the lender is local. Otherwise, you end up spending hours trying to track down loan information — and even more to get current home values, public records or to work through loan serving companies.
Short sales are an alternative to foreclosure. They sell property for less than what is owed by the homeowner. They offer the lender roughly 80% of the property’s value, which, obviously, is better than losing out completely.
A foreclosed home faces challenges. Banks need to reestablish its value. If the home is damaged, they need to pay for repairs. Broker commissions are often high, and it may takes many months or even years to sell the property again.
Short sales, then, give banks options. But it takes a dogged realtor to put the deals together.
The article continues:
Tiffany Lachnidt, team leader of The Distinctive Group, a Keller Williams Real Estate affiliate, was drawn head-first into distress transactions during 2007 when an investor-client asked her to list and sell seven residential properties facing foreclosure.
“We got them all sold within a year,” she said.
In what seems to represent the new “norm,” half her business consists of homes in danger of foreclosure, bank real estate owned homes (REOs) or short sales.
Short sales often require the realtor to work quickly and effectively. If the lender is not local, realtors need to put pressure on lenders to provide loan and property information. Once the information is acquired, the realtor needs to complete the loan submission packet. Then a delicate balancing act transpires. The realtor must determine when and if a real estate attorney is required, answer questions about appraisals on first, second, or possible even third time mortgages, and attract potential buyers, all before the home goes into foreclosure–a big challenge, especially if the homeowner is already behind on payments.
Difficulties aside, short sales are getting property sold. The process demonstrates a realtor’s bold, creative verve, and a circumstantial willingness on the part of the lender. A struggling market needs smart alternatives to survive. It seems realtors and banks realize this.
If you would like to find information about Colorado Springs Real Estate, visit the Real Estate Book, the web’s most comprehensive resource for homeowners and homebuyers.
Related Posts
- Insight Into Real Estate Short Sales
- Who Says the Real Estate Market is Bottoming?
- What Are Real Estate Short Sales?
- Best Real Estate Financing Tips To Save You Money
- Do You Need A Real Estate Appraiser When Buying A Home Or Condo?
- Foreclosure Real Estate Investment System
- Real Estate Q&A
- Real Estate Investment ? 5 Changes in the 2008 Market
- The Advantage Of Getting A Pre-approved Mortgage In Real Estate Buying
- Residential Real Estate Dubai – Residential Real Estate Properties Dubai – Rental Real Estate Dubai
No comments yet.
No trackbacks yet.
Indianapolis Real Estate: Who Should Consider Refinance?
about 1 month ago - No comments
If you own a home in the Indianapolis real estate market that has a mortgage over 15 years old, you may still want to consider refinance. The stopping block to most home mortgage refinancing at this time is the decline of property values, and the fact that many homeowners cannot reaffirm a mortgage for the existing balance, because it is subsequently determined that the home is not worth what is owed on it. If you have an older mortgage, chances are you have already paid down enough of the equity in your home to successfully execute a refinance .
So, who should be considering refinance? Since there is no cost involved to see what the numbers would look like, everyone should give it a shot. Contact your local Indianapolis real estate lender, in fact, call several. Let them know that you are interested in refinancing and let them see what they can come up with. Since the lending agents are hurting just as much as the rest of us, they will likely jump at the chance for the business, especially if you are a long time homeowner with good credit. This will also put them in competition with each other, guaranteeing that you will get the lowest interest rate possible.
When you begin contacting several Indianapolis real estate lenders to inquire about refinance, there will be several questions they will all ask you, and you will be best served if you have this information on hand when you make the initial calls. The lender will want to know what the current balance is on your mortgage, how long you have been in the home, what is your current interest rate, is the interest rate fixed or adjustable, and how much longer to plan to stay in the home before attempting to sell. Having these fundamentals available will save you extra phone calls, and help determine if refinancing is a viable option.
If you want to save money over the long run, and you decide to refinance, don’t make the mistake of refinancing for another 30 years. This completely defeats the purpose of the refinance. It will get you a lower monthly payment, but you’ll be making more of them, ultimately costing you much more than if you had finished the original loan at the higher interest rate. For example, if you have 16 years left on your current mortgage, refinance for 16 years. And always be sure to secure a fixed rate of interest. There are many specifics to the process that your Indianapolis real estate lender will be able to guide you through, but do your research first, so you know the questions to ask.
As the general and Indianapolis real estate economic patterns fluctuate, having a long standing mortgage may be one of your best resources if you are hoping to reduce monthly payments over the short term. This topic is not to be taken lightly, because it likely will cost you more over the long run, but if you are concerned about your financial stability and the ability to make your mortgage payments in the future, checking into a refinance plan that does extend the life of your mortgage may be in your best interest. Re-using the above example, if you have 16 years left on your current mortgage and need lower payments, you can refinance for 30 years, thereby considerably lowering your monthly payment.
Another consideration, although not so much in the current market, is how long you plan to stay in the home. When the Indianapolis real estate market was stronger, and the potential for a quick home sale was more secure, this was a topic to explore because every refinance has fees associated with it for paperwork processing. If your new monthly payment is $100 lower than it was before, and you paid $2000 in fees, you need to be in the home for at least another 20 months before you will actually begin saving any money. Again, in the current market, there are not many people who take out a new mortgage and then try to sell the property, but for future knowledge, the information is valuable.
Whether looking for a short term solution to a foreseeable financial crunch, or desiring to save money over the long term, it will not cost you anything to discuss possible refinance of an existing mortgage with several lenders in the Indianapolis real estate market. There is also never any obligation to accept any offer for refinance. Knowledge is power, and knowing what options are available, in today’s economic climate, will go a long way in securing your future.
Related Posts
- After Bankruptcy, Rebuild your Credit Before Buying Real Estate
- What to do When Faced With Overwhelming Adjusted ARM Payment in Indianapolis Real Estate
- What First-time Real Estate Buyers Should Know to Avoid Foreclosure
- Real Estate Q&A
- Tampa Real Estate: Is It A Good Investment?
- Indianapolis Real Estate as Investment Property in a Declining Market
- Real Estate And Property Investment Strategies – Grow Your Equity And Wealth
- Understanding Seller Financing in the Tampa Real Estate Marketplace
- Insight Into Real Estate Short Sales
- Easy Guide To Real Estate Financing
Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
about 1 month ago - No comments
If you are a first time homebuyer, you may need some assistance going through the mortgage process to buy some Dallas real estate.
You should consider obtaining a Dallas real estate agent to guide you through the process of buying your new home. A good Dallas real estate agent can really help you through the process of applying for a mortgage, getting a home loan and buying a new home.
There are a few things you can do on your own to make it easier to get a home mortgage to purchase Dallas real estate. The first thing that you need to do when you are thinking about getting a home loan is pay down your debt.
When trying to purchase Dallas real estate, the more debt that you can pay off the better off you will be. The first thing a lender will do is run your credit report when you apply for a mortgage. The lower your debt to income ratio is, the better you will look to a lender. Therefore, you will obtain the best possible interest rate and closing costs. This will give you more option to buying bigger and better homes.
Paying down debt can be difficult while trying to save for the down payment on a home, but there are ways that you can pay your debt down while saving money for a down payment on some Dallas real estate. Take a look at your bank statement and figure out where you spend money. You may be surprised at how much you actually spend on the extras. Write down your set expenditures such as rent and utilities. Decide how much you really need for food and entertainment. Reducing these costs will be where your greatest savings occur. That’s why it is important to point these factors out.
Try cooking more at home, as eating out can be very costly. Try using coupons and shopping in bulk. Do you buy lunch when you’re working? Buying lunch can easily cost $65 or more per week, so start bring lunch from home. A trip to your local discount store for snacks can easily save 3-4 dollars each day at the vending machine at work. Try drinking the coffee that your employer usually provides instead of stopping at the trendy coffee shops on the way in to work.
These things can easily save you more than $150 per week. You can put $75 per month towards debt and open a savings account and save $75 per month towards the down payment on your new home. There are other easy ways to cut costs so that you can save money for paying off bills and for a down payment on your new Dallas real estate too.
The new trendy consignment shops may be a better option for new clothes than the mall and with gas prices on the rise, try biking or walking more. Saving this money will be very rewarding in the end as you move into your new Dallas home.
Related Posts
- Getting a Mortgage to Buy Dallas Real Estate
- 4 Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud Tips
- Real Estate Tips: Home Renovation Loans
- Real Estate Mortgage Terms
- Reverse Mortgages are Loans on your Real Estate Property. How Do They Work?
- Easy Guide To Real Estate Financing
- The Benefits of a Good Faith Estimate and Pre-approval When Buying Real Estate
- Buying a Home at Fisher Island Miami Real Estate
- Reverse Mortgage Home Purchase ? The Secret of a Happy Old Age
- Real Estate Financing – You Can Get A Home Mortgage With Bad Credit
Real Estate And Property Investment Strategies – Grow Your Equity And Wealth
about 1 month ago - No comments
The first step to building wealth through real estate investing is to buy your own home. Instead of making rent payments that pay off someone else’s property, it makes more sense to make mortgage payments to pay off your own.
This way you not only are not only investing your payments in a property, you are able to take advantage of capital gains.
As you increase equity in your home, you will be able to use it to help you purchase other properties.
After purchasing your own home, the next most common step in real estate property investing is to buy a rental property. If you buy well and get a good rental return with minimal outgoings you will not only take advantage of capital gains but the rent you receive will go along way to paying your mortgage.
As you gain equity in your property and pay down your mortgage, you will be in a position to purchase yet another property and repeat the process.
You need to be careful to minimize the risk by buying properties at below their market value, preferably when market prices have dropped.
This is because real estate prices increase over time and if you are prepared to hold onto property, you will always make money in the long term.
Unless you are wealthy, you will need to take out a mortgage to buy real estate property. A mortgage loan uses property as security for a loan on the property.
A mortgage allows you to purchase real estate with a down payment and repayment terms so that you do not have to pay the full value of the property immediately.
If you default on the payments, foreclosure requires a judicial proceeding which provides the borrower with some protection.
Real estate has historically offered investors far better returns than most other investment options.
With most banks prepared to finance ninety percent of the value of property values, you only require a deposit of ten percent and the ability to make the monthly payments to repay the loan.
Therefore, if you buy conservatively you place yourself in an ideal position to make excellent profits. In fact, real estate has traditionally returned substantially more than average stock market investments over time.
As well as building long term wealth, property investment can offer tax advantages under certain circumstances.
Get advice from your accountant as to whether your circumstances would allow you to claim tax benefits.
Another advantage of real estate investing over stock market investing is that the prices are flexible. With real estate you can make an offer that is lower (sometimes substantially so) than the asking price.
Stock market prices are set and do not allow you any room to move. As a result, you can sometimes get excellent property buys when the seller needs to sell quickly and is prepared to accept your offer.
All in all, investing in real estate is a wise choice that offers excellent long term returns and sometimes even substantial short term gains.
You can begin small with a ten percent deposit on an affordable property and gradually accumulate investments in your property portfolio.
Real estate investment is generally a safe pathway to personal wealth and retirement funding as long as you behave conservatively and wisely.
Related Posts
- Real Estate Investment: Home Equity Loans Versus Refinancing
- Reverse Mortgages are Loans on your Real Estate Property. How Do They Work?
- Foreclosure Real Estate Investment System
- Indianapolis Real Estate as Investment Property in a Declining Market
- What First-time Real Estate Buyers Should Know to Avoid Foreclosure
- Real Estate Investment ? 5 Changes in the 2008 Market
- Real Estate Investment – 5 Changes in the 2008 Market
- Tampa Real Estate: Is It A Good Investment?
- Commercial Real Estate Investment Property and Business Financing
- Indianapolis Real Estate: Who Should Consider Refinance?
Getting a Mortgage to Buy Dallas Real Estate
about 1 month ago - No comments
Are you a first time home buyer? If you might need some help going through the process of getting a mortgage to buy some Dallas real estate.
You should go through a Dallas real estate agent to buy your home if it’s the first home that you’ve ever bought because a good Dallas real estate agent can really help you through the process of applying for a mortgage, getting a home loan and buying a new home.
But there are some steps you can take on your own to make it easier to get a home mortgage to buy some Dallas real estate. The first thing that you need to do when you are thinking about getting a home loan is pay down your debt.
The most debt that you can pay off the better off you will be when it comes to getting a home loan to buy Dallas real estate. When you apply for a mortgage the first thing a lender will look at is your credit report. The more debt that you can get removed from your credit card the better you will look to a lender.
It can be hard to pay down debt and try to save for the down payment on a home but there are ways that you can pay off some smaller bills while you are saving money for a down payment on some Dallas real estate. The first thing that you need to do in order to accomplish both of those goals is to look at your household budget and see what things you can cut out so that you will have extra money to pay off as many bills as possible and start to save for a down payment on your new house.
Do you eat out a lot? Stop eating out. Do you buy lunch when you’re working? Buying lunch can easily cost $60 or more per week, so start brown bagging it. Bring lunch and snacks from home so that you don’t waste 3-4 dollars each day at the vending machine at work. Drink plain coffee instead of fancy lattes and if your office gives workers free coffee drink coffee work and skip the morning stop at the coffee shop.
Just doing those three things can save you more than $100 per week. You can put $50 or more towards both paying off debt and saving a down payment for a house. There are other easy ways to cut costs so that you can save money for paying off bills and for a down payment on your new Dallas real estate too.
If you need new clothes for work shop at a thrift store or at Goodwill instead of at the mall. Try walking or biking to work instead of driving to save gas and wear and tear on your car. And the biggest money saver of all is to start using coupons and shop in bulk when you shop for food. Food accounts for the biggest part of most people’s budget, so if you can significantly cut your food costs you can save a lot of money.
Related Posts
- Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
- 4 Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud Tips
- Important Facts for First-Time Home Buyers
- Special Loans create big incentives in the Metro Minneapolis Real Estate Market
- Real Estate Financing – Creative Financing Tips
- Buying a Home at Fisher Island Miami Real Estate
- Get to Know Your Loan Officers before Signing Your Home Loan Contract
- The Advantage Of Getting A Pre-approved Mortgage In Real Estate Buying
- Real Estate Tips: Home Renovation Loans
- How to Get the Best Mortgage to Buy Real Estate
Understanding Seller Financing in the Tampa Real Estate Marketplace
about 2 months ago - No comments
As you go about looking to purchase a home, you may have encountered situations in which an option for seller financing presents itself. You may not really understand everything that is involved in seller financing. Because you really do not necessarily understand the ins and outs of seller financing, you may not be able to ascertain whether or not seller financing is the right choice for you.
Generally speaking there are two types of seller financing that are utilized in the real estate marketplace today. Again, in some instances, seller financing may prove to be a good option for you when it comes to the purchase of real estate today.
However, with that said, you will need to closely examine the details of any agreement that you enter into when it comes to a seller financing situation. You need to examine up close the liabilities you are assuming in a seller financing scheme. You need to pay particular attention to what will happen if you default under the terms of the seller financing agreement that you might enter into.
The first type of seller financing that is available in some instances involves instances in which the seller effectively functions as a bank. Rather than the seller being paid in full at the time of closing through the application of proceeds from a home mortgage loan that you otherwise would have to obtain, the seller effectively loans the balance due and owing on the real estate to you.
You will agree with the seller to make monthly payments directly to the seller until the balance due and owing on the real estate is paid off in full. The seller carries the loan.
You need to keep in mind that in many of these situations there can be serious and immediate consequences if you ever default on these payments to the seller. You can end up facing a nearly immediate loss of possession of the real estate and you can forfeit any money that you may have paid towards the real estate.
The second type of seller related financing is a situation in which the buyer assumes the obligation on the home mortgage loan that the seller already has in place. Once again, you need to pay attention to the details of any agreement that you have with a seller in a loan assumption situation. You need to keep in mind the dire consequences that can result if you do not make payments under the agreement in a timely manner. Because you are not the holder of the mortgage loan itself, you likely will not have any of the protections afforded to an individual who defaults on a home mortgage loan. In other words, if you default, it is likely that the seller will be able to repossess the real estate in short speed. You would lose any payments that you had made in such a set of circumstances.
It is always advisable to consult with a real estate attorney before entering into any such agreements. If you need the name of a good attorney or have any questions about the Tampa real estate market please don’t hesitate to give me a call.
Related Posts
- Tampa Real Estate: Is It A Good Investment?
- Seller Financing ? What Every Home Owners and Buyers Must Know
- Seller Financing – What Every Home Owners and Buyers Must Know
- Best Real Estate Financing And Home Mortgage Tips You Can Use Now
- Real Estate Financing – Mortgages – Secrets Of The Trade
- Real Estate Financing – Mortgages – Secrets Of The Trade
- Best Real Estate Financing Tips To Save You Money
- Tips For Understanding Real Estate Financing
- Real Estate: A1 Home Selling Checklist
- Real Estate Financing – You Can Get A Home Mortgage With Bad Credit
How to Get the Best Mortgage to Buy Real Estate
about 2 months ago - No comments
Mortgages come in many different shapes and sizes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this article you’ll be able to find out about current rates, along with advice from a home loan expert. So what is a mortgage anyway? Well mortgages are used by people and businesses to make large purchases of real estate without paying the entire value of the purchase up front. Mortgage lending is the primary way banks in most countries to finance private ownership of homes. Generally with a mortgage, the debtor must meet the conditions of the underlying loan or other obligation and the conditions of the loan.
What about your credit?
Credit balances is one of the factors used to calculate the “price” of your loan. Credit plays a large factor in the type of home you can buy, in determining how much you pay for money. Your credit history is another factor. Credit history refers to the length of time that each of your credit accounts are open. Credit bureaus also frown on large amounts of debt from any one segment of financing. And lastly your credit inquiries are factored in to your score because credit bureaus may penalize people who are desperate for credit. Good credit can save you an enormous amount of money if you plan on keeping your home.
What about the interest?
Interest in the finance charge for use of the lender’s money. Interest may be fixed for the life of the loan or variable, and can change at pre-defined periods. The interest rate you get can also, be higher or lower. Interest rates can change because of today’s market conditions. Interest rates today are at an all time low because of the slowing economy.
And My Monthly Payment is Determined How?
The best way to find out is to find a mortgage calculator online. Also when considering a mortgage consider it’s prepayment terms. Some types of mortgages may limit or restrict prepayment of all or a portion of the loan, or require payment of a penalty to the lender for the prepayment. And then when you make the loan, lenders usually require that the borrower make a down payment, in other words, by giving a portion of the cost of the property. This down payment may be expressed as a part of the value of the home. In most cases, a mortgage loan where the purchaser has made a down payment of 20% has a “loan to value ratio” of 80%.
Mortgage interest rates are still at near historic lows. Remember you can search for financing quotes online. Although mortgage applications rose 3% recently, and the mortgage process may take a little longer to process, you’ll still have access to great rates on a current 30-year fixed mortgage rates as well as variable mortgage interest rates for most home loan programs.
Related Posts
- Real Estate Mortgage
- Check out a Mortgage Calculator When Looking at Orem Real Estate
- Best Real Estate Financing And Home Mortgage Tips You Can Use Now
- Real Estate Mortgage Basics
- Real Estate Mortgage Terms
- Consideration in Finding a Good Real Estate Mortgage
- Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
- Getting a Mortgage to Buy Dallas Real Estate
- Insight Into Real Estate Short Sales
- Best Real Estate Financing Tips To Save You Money
What to do When Faced With Overwhelming Adjusted ARM Payment in Indianapolis Real Estate
about 2 months ago - No comments
The Indianapolis real estate market has recently begun to feel the sting of the housing market fallout that has pummeled the rest of the nation. As recently as January of 2008, the local economy was credited as being very stable, and investors have been taking note. Now recent new homeowners are finding that the pinch of the sub-prime ARM rate adjustments are forcing them into a position of taking care of the squeaky wheel first, when it comes to paying the monthly bills.
The current mortgage holder of Indianapolis real estate, if the purchase was made in the last 5 years, is likely the victim of a lender who was willing to overextend credit to borrowers who obviously could not make the loan payment once the variable rates adjust. This was usually glossed over with the advice to “be sure to refinance before the rate change”. In previous times, the borrower would not even have to watch for the rate change date, because 6 months before, he would begin receiving the daily barrage of calls from the lenders proposing refinance deals. Today, this is not the case.
As the Indianapolis real estate property values have crashed, most lenders will not consider refinance because the current value of the property does not cover the amount remaining on the loan. In fact, most lenders who had previously extending a line of credit with a new mortgage purchase as an incentive to buy, are now retracting the limits of that credit to match the amount currently owed. If you have maxed out your equity line, you can pay it down, but your available credit on that line will remain zero.
The options for the Indianapolis real estate owner who finds himself with a new mortgage payment that he just cannot afford have changed pretty dramatically in the last 12 months. The first option has always been painful, but logical: sell the property. If you cannot afford the payment, you need to sell and then purchase a property within your financial means. Obviously, the option to sell is not the simple answer any longer, with far more sellers on the market than buyers.
The option to short-sell a property in the Indianapolis real estate market, is a more viable option with the lenders than it has been in the past. More and more lenders are willing to take a partial loss on the property rather than lose the entire remaining value of the loan to foreclosure and be stuck with a property that they cannot sell either. As recently as 18 months ago, several large national lenders had the attitude that holding foreclosure over the heads of the borrower would somehow force them into being able to pay the mortgage, or find a buyer who would accept a selling price that would cover the remaining mortgage. In today’s market, a short sale will absolutely be considered by the lender. In this transaction, the homeowner sells the house for as much as he can get, even though it is below what he owes on the home, and the lender will “forgive” the remainder of the debt. This is a tremendous financial savings to the lender, who otherwise would have to incur the expenses of foreclosure proceedings, property taxes and Indianapolis real estate agent fees for listing the property for sale after the foreclosure. As options to foreclosure, lenders today are also being more reasonable in trying to help the homeowner find ways to retain their property while they regain some financial control.
Lenders holding title to Indianapolis real estate have a variety of solutions available to borrowers who are looking for relief in their mortgage payment. Many will agree to temporarily reducing or waiving payments, if the financial situation the borrower is facing is a temporary condition. If the borrower calls after missing several payments, before foreclosure proceedings begin, he can negotiate to have the missed payments divided up over the next six months and added to the current payment or negotiate to have the missed payments added to the principle of the mortgage, thereby increasing the monthly payment only slightly for the remainder of the loan term. Again, these options only work if the borrower now has come into the financial means to cover the new payment.
If you have fallen behind in your mortgage payment, you will find that calling the lender to discuss the issue is not the humiliating experience it once was. The lenders are getting many of these calls on a daily basis in the Indianapolis real estate areas, so you are not alone. As a result, the lenders have also been forced to become more knowledgeable about solutions they can make available to you.
Related Posts
- Indianapolis Real Estate as Investment Property in a Declining Market
- Indianapolis Real Estate: Who Should Consider Refinance?
- Who Says the Real Estate Market is Bottoming?
- What Are Real Estate Short Sales?
- Smart Loans to Make Your Real Estate Deal Hassle Free
- A Real Estate Agent ? a Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Mortgage Quality Of Canadian Real Estate
- Highs And Lows Of The Real Estate Business
- Searching for a New Home in the “post Sub-prime” Crash is More of a Challenge Than Ever Before! the Answer: Work With a Real Estate Agent
- A Real Estate Agent – a Bridge Over Troubled Water
Reverse Mortgages are Loans on your Real Estate Property. How Do They Work?
about 2 months ago - No comments
Reverse mortgages are good those retirees who have a great deal of equity in their Real Estate but they need an influx of cash to support their lifestyle. So what actually is a reverse mortgage?
This is a mortgage loan on the equity in your home but in reverse. Your take the cash value out of your home without making mortgage payments while you continue to reside in the residence. Since you don’t make monthly payments, your debt increases. You also do not need to qualify for a reverse mortgage in terms of your income.
There are few qualifications – you generally must be older than 62 and be the owner of the home. The loan will not have to be repaid until:
1. You move out of the home permanently.
2. You sell the residence.
3. You die.
As your debt grows larger, the amount of interest added to the loan increases. So your equity is falling and your debt continues to increase. If your property value is not increasing rapidly, you may consume the equity during your lifetime.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are some downsides you should consider prior to signing up. They are:
1. Lenders charge closing costs and all loan fees to create this loan.
2. Lenders may charge you fees to carry the loan.
3. Your total mortgage amount will probably increase in time.
4. Your equity will decrease.
5. Most reverse mortgage loans are given out with variable interest rates. This means the rate can increase based on market conditions.
6. Interest on these mortgages is not tax deductible on income tax until the loan is paid.
7. If you don’t plan to live in the home for an extended period of time, the costs you pay to obtain the loan are just too high.
For more free information on this subject, check out the Federal Trade Commission site at www.ftc.gov/credit or HUD at www.hud.gov.
Related Posts
- Smart Loans to Make Your Real Estate Deal Hassle Free
- Real Estate And Property Investment Strategies – Grow Your Equity And Wealth
- Los Angeles Real Estate, Negative Amortization Loans
- Real Estate Financing – What You Should Know About Home Mortgages
- Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
- Real Estate Financing – What You Need to Know About Home Mortgages Before You Commit
- The Benefits of a Good Faith Estimate and Pre-approval When Buying Real Estate
- Reverse Mortgage Home Purchase ? The Secret of a Happy Old Age
- First Time Buyers Fuel the Real Estate Market
- Real Estate Q&A with Kolasch Real Estate March 2009 – Mortgage Modification update
Insight Into Real Estate Short Sales
about 2 months ago - No comments
What is a short sale?
When the amount of a mortgage is more than the home is worth, the property may be a candidate for a short sale. A short sale is when the lender agrees to take less money for the home than the amount that is owed on the mortgage. The balance, technically, can be attached to the seller, so if you are considering a short sale it is important to work with an experienced real estate attorney.
A short sale may make sense for a seller if they must sale the home and the value of the property has dropped. A short sale may also make sense if your home is in or close to reaching default status or pre-foreclosure status. If the seller needs a way to get out from under a mortgage, due to unemployment, a divorce, a health crisis or death, a short sale is an option to consider. If the seller has assets, such as in savings or investment accounts, it will probably not be possible to negotiate a short sale with the bank.
Who benefits from a short sale?
The one person who loses the most in a short sale is the seller. While they do get out from under the stress and financial commitment of a mortgage, they will also walk away with nothing. Any equity in the home is gone. The bank, while agreeing to take less money than what is owed on the mortgage, still benefits from the short sale. Because short sales typically occur when a home is in danger of being foreclosed on, the short sale prevents the bank from entering into the foreclosure process. It also takes the home off of the bank’s hands. In a typical foreclosure, the bank has the responsibility of maintaining the property and getting it sold. With a short sale, the bank never has to take responsibility for the property. Those involved in the real estate transaction, such as agents, attorneys, appraisers and title companies, all benefit from the short sale. Although they may not receive their full fee when processing a short sale, they still make money from the process.
The biggest winner in a short sale is typically the buyer. By purchasing a home with a short sale, the buyer gets a home below market value. Because the amount that the bank will lend is based on the appraised value, when a home is purchased for less than that amount, a smaller down payment is required and PMI can be avoided. PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is a costly form of insurance that new home owners must purchase if they borrow more than 80% of the value of the home.
Disadvantages of Short Sale
Short sales can be a good decision for the home owner that cannot afford their mortgage, but they are not the answer to all financial problems. The Mortgage Forgiveness Act of 2007 states that the amount of debt forgiven by the lending institution can be considered income for the seller. Often, the lending institution will issue a 1099 to the seller, which means that they may be required to pay taxes on the forgiven amount.
Short sales also show up on the credit report. Although it would seem that a short sale is a better option than foreclosure, in the case of your credit history, they are the same. The short sale is listed as a pre-foreclosure that has been redeemed. The seller, regardless of how the rest of his credit history looks, will need to wait three years before getting a decent interest rate on a new mortgage.
Convincing the lender to agree
While lenders prefer a short sale to foreclosure, they strongly prefer that you pay off the amount of your loan when selling the home. It is up to the bank whether they will accept a short sale or not. The best way to convince the bank that a short sale is in their best interest it to prepare a package detailing the reasons you are considering accepting a short sale offer.
An estimate closing statement is the first step in convincing the lender a short sale is necessary. This statement should include the estimated sale costs, such as commissions and inspections fees, the unpaid loan amount and any late fees. If property values have dropped recently, leading to your homes value decreasing, ask your real estate agent to prepare a CMA, or comparative market analysis. The CMA shows homes in the area that are actively on the market, those whose sales are pending and homes that have been sold in the last six months. It will help strengthen your case for accepting a lower amount of money for your home. You should also include bank statements and other proof of income and debt, as well as a detailed hardship letter, which explains exactly why you feel it necessary to accept the short sale.
Short sales can be a good choice for buyers and sellers alike, but it is important to know what the drawbacks are before entering into a contract for a short sale.
Related Posts
- What Are Real Estate Short Sales?
- HVCC Appraisal Regulations – The Next Bad Decision is Here For Our Real Estate Economy
- Get Smart With Marketing Your Real Estate Company
- Real Estate Q&A
- Colorado Springs Real Estate: Short Sales Save the Day
- Real Estate Mortgage Basics
- Indianapolis Real Estate: Who Should Consider Refinance?
- Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
- Getting a Mortgage to Buy Dallas Real Estate
- Understanding Seller Financing in the Tampa Real Estate Marketplace
Check out a Mortgage Calculator When Looking at Orem Real Estate
about 2 months ago - No comments
When you are looking for real estate in Orem, you need to know what you can afford to spend. While you might have one idea in your head that may not necessarily be what you can actually afford. That is why it is important to use a mortgage calculator in order to find out what your mortgage will mean to your finances.
How Much Can I Afford?
This is one of the most important things you will find out by using a mortgage calculator. You need to know what you can afford so you can then look at Orem real estate in that price range. Simply find a mortgage calculator online and input some financial data. The calculator will then figure your situation and let you know what you can afford. That will make it much easier to get Orem real estate.
How Much Can I Get?
When you know how much you can afford, you then must decide what you can get from a lender. This is important, because it could be a number smaller than what you can afford. That means you will either have to come up with a more sizable down payment for your Orem real estate or you will have to look for real estate that is less expensive.
What’s My Down Payment?
You can also use a mortgage calculator to find out down payment information. The more expensive the home, the larger the down payment, and you want to know what to expect when looking at Orem real estate.
When you know what down payment will be expected with what home, you will then know what homes are within your budget. This can save a lot of time when looking at Orem real estate.
What if I Prepay My Loan?
Often, people like to pay extra on their mortgage loans. If you want to know what kind of an effect that will have on your loan, you can use a mortgage calculator to find out. When you pay off your loan early, you are able to benefit from paying less interest over time. Find out how much less you will end up paying so you will know how much you want to pay on your Orem real estate each month.
By using a mortgage calculator, you can shop for Orem real estate without worrying. You will not have to concern yourself with the problems that many people get themselves into when they first buy real estate. You will know what to expect so you will be able to make a smart decision.
Related Posts
- How to Get the Best Mortgage to Buy Real Estate
- Real Estate Q&A
- Real Estate: A1 Home Selling Checklist
- Real Estate Mortgage Quotes
- Real Estate Mortgage Options
- Real estate mortgage leads made simple and easy – just for you!
- Obtaining a Mortgage to Purchase Dallas Real Estate
- Getting a Mortgage to Buy Dallas Real Estate
- Reverse Mortgages are Loans on your Real Estate Property. How Do They Work?
- Insight Into Real Estate Short Sales