People Plus Property Equals Interesting Real Estate News

Hi Folks,
   Monday again! That was fast !

   A few interesting and cool things going on in the world of Real Estate, and I figured that you might find these items interesting, too.

   A "Real Estate Cafe"...yes, you heard it right ! "The Maggio Shields Real Estate Cafe in Rehoboth Beach is a fusion restaurant of a different kind; it melds real estate with breakfast and lunch", writes Diana Dwyer, in a story on Delmarvanow.com. The restaurant/office hybrid appeals to hungry people - hungry for food or property. Managing chef Aric Roork commented that the saying around The Cafe is: "Have your cake and condo, too!", The Cafe serves soups, salads, sandwiches and pastries. This concept has been catching on in other countries, as well, so they may be onto something here!

   A "Real Estate Bus Tour"...you cannot make this stuff up! The national bus tour called "Home Ownership Matters", writes Claire Simms in an article on firstcoastnews.com, aims to "educate consumers about the real estate market and changes that could be coming to the industry", and further, to "raise awareness" of possible down-payment requirement changes and about the home buying process.

   Own a Home in China? You are en eligible bachelor! "China has a strange condition these days in which a man must buy a house before a woman will agree to marry him", says a recent article on TaiwanNews.com. What is the result of this? Due to the "gap between rich and poor", the story says, "many young people are unable to afford a house and thus not able to get married", which is likely to continue in the future. Apparently, Chinese officials are "scrambling to find a way around this impasse".

   It's a big world out there with a lot of property. There's a whole world of interesting news when people collide with property ! What do you think?

Would You Like Our Blog Posts Directly to your E-mail? Here's How:
1. Locate the "Follow this Blog by Email" box on the Right Side of your Screen.
2. Type your E-mail address in the box, and click "Submit"
3. Check Your E-mail and Confirm Your Subscription...it's That Simple !

Have a Great Week, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !
Regards,
Rob Eisenstein
HomeRun Homes Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com
HomeRun Homes Websites: http://www.lease2buy.com and http://www.homerunhomes.com

TAGS: #China #Rehoboth #Delmarva #downpayment #Taiwan #property #RealEstate

Short Sale Requirements For Sellers and Buyers

Hi Folks,

   My apologies for the late post, but I am recovering from a week filled with Strep throat and a high-fever. Thankfully, I have done a sizable amount of my homework upfront, and was able to get this out to you as quickly as humanly possible.

   A comprehensive discussion on the topic of short sales must straddle both sides of the transaction - both sellers and buyers. Today, we will look at some requirements of both sides of Short Sales.

   In a recent article by Greta Guest for the Detroit Free Press titled, "Shortsales, longwaits: Buyers and sellers find process frustrating", Guest says that what you need to qualify in terms of paperwork and forms can "vary by lender".

   The three things Guest says that a homeowner would need to qualify for a short sale (according to the Certified Distressed Property Expert website) are:

* To show Financial hardship: Prove that "there is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage."
* To show Monthly income shortfall: Prove to a lender that "you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage."
* To show Insolvency: "The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage."

   Now, let's discuss what needs to be done for those buying a short-sale.

   Jan Green, a Realtor with RE/MAX Excalibur in Scottsdale, AZ, who has processed short sales both on the listing side and purchase side, says that she counsels the buyers about short sales first, and says, "make sure they are pre-qualified; and what their time frame for closing is; do they have a house to sell?".

   Joseph Lam, a Real Estate Broker and a short sale listing specialist with Keller Williams Realty in San Jose, CA, who has been guiding sellers and buyers to get the transaction thru (approved) by the short sale lender, says that "Like any buyer in today's market, the buyer needs to get pre-approved for a home loan first." Lam names one of the requirements as verification of the buyer's downpayment (bank statement, etc.).

   Robyn Love, an agent and an investor with IRCA, who has done short sales on her own and with another negotiation service, also concurs that the "Buyers need to have been qualified from a bank" along with a downpayment. Green, Lam, and Love all add that patience is golden. These deals can take time !

   On the patience factor, Love says that Short sales, "especially when first listed, take several months to be approved.", and when an offer comes, the bank, "may or may not take their offer if it is too low." Love also adds that sometimes "if the foreclosure is months away, the bank won't move fast.", but, "If it's around the corner, the approval is faster."

   Some tips for Buying a Short Sale:

   Love says that usually, the bank is looking to minimize their loss, so a "low ball offer with no low comps or repairs will most likely be rejected.". She also says that pictures of repairs and low comps "help the bank make a decision".

   Green advises that when purchasing a short sale, to "garner all information as to the likelihood of a short sale closing before even putting" a buyer in her car.

   Additionally, Green says that she also interviews the listing agent before showing a short sale, and she asks, "if he/she has collected financial data, hardship letter, has seller consulted an attorney and CPA, does the seller have a true hardship (they might just be "trying" a short sale). "...what is the listing agent's experience in short sales."

   In Summary, short sales are wild-cards for now, until real legislation actually sticks..and yes, "HAFA" (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives), we are talking about you !!

   Comments? Questions? Venting? (Venting allowed within respectable limits)

PSSSST...
Did you know that you can be notified by E-mail when our new posts are available?

HOW?
Just type your E-mail address in the little box on the right side of this page, titled:

"SUBSCRIBE: Receive Our Blog Posts By E-Mail !"

Remember to check your E-mail to confirm your subscription !

Have a Great Weekend, and Happy Rent-to-Owning !
Regards,
Rob Eisenstein
HomeRun Homes Blog: http://blogging.lease2buy.com
HomeRun Homes Websites: http://www.lease2buy.com and http://www.homerunhomes.com

TAGS: #ShortSale #foreclosure #HAFA #hardship #insolvency #homeowner #prequalified #downpayment #comps