Jul 5, 2010 3
The meaning of foreclosed home means that either the mortgagor or the homeowner is incapable to make payments on the process of interest on the mortgage, and accordingly, the lender will seize and sell the home to recover the f Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 9, 2010 3
The real estate industry is reshaping a new market as a result of the real estate bubble burst and the sub-prime mortgage problem. We are now witness to the emergence of a new phenomenon called a Read the rest of this entry »
Mar 19, 2010 3
Buying a house below market value is a good way to get more profits as a real estate investor. One way you can find property at below market value is a foreclosure auction. Real estate goes into foreclosure when an owner of that real estate does not pay their mortgage on time. When real estate payments are not up to date it is a distress property. Nothing physically can be wrong with the house and it can be classified as a dist Read the rest of this entry »
Feb 21, 2010 0
Short sale approval occurs when banks allow borrowers to sell their property for less than the balance due on the mortgage note. The primary goal of short sales is to minimize lenders’ financial losses and prevent the property from falling into foreclosure.
Short sale approval is based on many factors and varies by lender. Unified criteria include: properties cannot be in foreclosure; borrowers owe more than the home is worth; and borrowers cannot own assets which can be used to satisfy the mortgage note.
The biggest mistake borrowers make is procrastinating about contacting their lender when they become delinquent with payment. This usually stems from embarrassment or fear. Believe it or not, lenders do not want your property. They are in business to make money, not manage properties. Most are willing to work with borrowers and devise a plan that is beneficial to both you and the lender.
The short sale process typically takes between four to nine months. Much depends on the bank’s caseload, number of lenders involved, and ability to locate a buyer. The process becomes more burdensome when borrowers hold a second or third mortgage against the real estate.
Borrowers will work with a loss mitigator assigned through their lender. Mitigators do not make final decisions on short sale approval, but can be instrumental in helping obtain a successful outcome.
Loss mitigators are overwhelmed with work. They are oftentimes verbally abused by frustrated, stressed-out borrowers. If you want an edge on obtaining short sale approval, be nice to your mitigator. Organize financial records and provide requested information in a timely fashion. Take time to thank the person for assisting you through this difficult process. As they say, you catch more flies with honey.
Banks generally require borrowers to submit a short sale packet consisting of a variety of financial documents. Expect to provide bank, credit card and investment statements, previous years’ tax returns, tax or creditor liens, list of income and expenses, spousal or child support orders, and property tax and homeowners’ insurance receipts.
Lenders oftentimes request borrowers to submit a short sale hardship letter outlining events which caused them to become delinquent. The hardship letter is a crucial element toward obtaining short sale approval. It should be crafted with care and include dates of events which took place. Events might include loss of employment, death of a spouse or child, divorce, or chronic illness.
Many banks require borrowers to have a sales contract in hand before authorizing short sale approval. Others grant time to list the property through a realtor to locate a buyer. Borrowers can save time and money by selling to real estate investors.
Today, investors are particularly interested in foreclosure and short sale real estate because these properties are sold below market value. Use the Internet to locate investors in your area or ask friends, family, realtors and banks for referrals. Some investors purchase real estate across the nation, so if you are unable to locate a local investor look for nationwide investors.
Investors oftentimes purchase distressed properties with cash in order to obtain a lower purchase price. Everyone knows cash is king and lenders are generally more receptive to working with buyers who have cash in hand.
Feb 9, 2010 0
Shop or canvass around
Compare rates and incidental charges from every and all lending institutions you can find. Do not limit yourselves with the banks or with banks per se. In fact, most banks have the worst interest rates. Ask advice from brokers, they are the ones who earn their livings with these kinds of transactions. They will know who among the other financial institutions will offer the best rates.
When you are equipped with all these knowledge, you can better decide to which institution to apply a real estate mortgage with. You also protect yourself from surprises because you can manage your money better when you know exactly how much to pay on a monthly basis. Imagine yourself expecting only to pay the monthly installment plus the interest rate only to find out that there are a hundred or so incidental charges added to your monthly rate? The worst case is that you will default on payment and will have a hard time coping up with the default which would result to a foreclosure proceeding against you.
Go for gold or an A+
That is when it comes to your credit score. A bad credit score will be known to all financial institution as they do conduct credit investigations before agreeing to lend out money, even if secured by a home as a collateral. How do you keep a good credit score? Pay all your bills on time and keep your credit balance to a minimum and by minimum means to keep it below half of your credit limit. Bad credit score means higher rates for you, because the lender will want to install safety measures just in case you default on your payments. As they say, first impressions last. So before signing up for a mortgage, impress your lender with a good credit score.
Think of a mortgage as another bill to pay
With another bill to worry about, who would think of burdening themselves with yet another? Meaning, as tempted as you may be, do not apply for another credit card. Although it initially increases your credit limit, in turn lowering your credit balance percentage, it actually hurts your credit score. So keep to the current ones, or at best, maintain a single account by paying off all the others and closing them.
Bigger down payment, smaller rates
Most lending institutions require the payment of a down payment. The rates range from five percent to twenty percent of the total purchase price of your home. So even if the lender requires a small percentage, offer as high as you can because it will translate to lower rates to be charged against you.
These may be hard and meticulous steps at first, but will be more than worth it in the long run. Hey, if it means saving your home right?
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