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 Miami-Dade County, Florida - The single story at 705-1800 NW 24 AV has been sold. Property information
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Portofino Villas West, Homestead - The single story at 0-640 NE 21 TE has been sold. Property information
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Cocoplum Terrace, South Miami - The single story at 6400 SW 62 CT has been sold. Property information
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Sunny Acres, Merritt Island - Announcing a price reduction on 660 NE 145 ST, a 1,603 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now  MLS®$99,000 - . Property information
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Olympia Heights, Miami-Dade County - The single story at 10001 SW 42 TE has been sold. Property information
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This past November, the Treasury Department released guidelines for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), designed to help homeowners who are unable to retain their home under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Under HAFA, homeowners may be able to avoid foreclosure by completing a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL). If you or someone you know is having trouble making mortgage payments, understanding this new government program is essential.
As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I have consulted with many clients faced with a distressed property situation. The good news is HAFA is designed to simplify and streamline the use of short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure by improving the process. Here’s how:
• Help homeowners who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home
• Use financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification
• Allow borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property
• Require borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt and if the subordinate lien holder receives an incentive under HAFA, that debt as well
• Use standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines
• Provide financial incentives: $1,500 for borrower relocation assistance; $1,000 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs; and up to a $1,000 match for investors for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders
To be eligible for HAFA, homeowners must meet the basic eligibility criteria for HAMP:
• The home must be your principal residence
• The first lien must have originated before 2009
• Mortgage delinquent or default is reasonably foreseeable
• The unpaid principal balance cannot exceed $729,750 (higher limits for 2- to 4-unit dwellings).
• The borrower’s total monthly payment exceeds 31% of gross income
Under HAFA, the forgiven debt due to a short sale will not be taxed if the amount of forgiven debt does not exceed the debt that was used to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a principal residence. Check with your tax advisor. Please also know that while the debt will be forgiven, the short sale will be reported to credit agencies and have some degree of negative impact on your credit. Short sale agreements must be executed and returned no later than December 31, 2012.
If you think that you or someone you know can benefit from the HAFA program, please e-mail me. You can also visit www.realtor.org/shortsales for links to the guidance, many additional FAQs, and more information about short sales. Please remember to pass this important information along to others. In today’s economy, we all know someone who might need help.
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Tranquil ranch living at its best ! • 3,567 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS®$395,000 Ranchos Del Sol, Homestead Property information
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As foreclosure numbers continue to rise, you might be one of the many homeowners worried about losing your home. The truth is, foreclosure can be prevented, however, most homeowners are too confused or afraid to confront their mortgage problems and, therefore, neglect taking the necessary steps to potentially save their homes. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have helped put many financially-challenged clients on the path toward avoiding foreclosure. The first and biggest step is always overcoming their fears.
Here are six of the most common foreclosure fears the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (www.cccsinc.org) encounters, along with the steps homeowners can take to overcome them and start taking action to save their homes.
Fear: Homeowners are afraid to let the mortgage company know they are having a problem because they think it will speed up the foreclosure process.
Contacting your lender must be the first step as it gives you a chance to explain why you have fallen behind on your payments and what steps you are taking to get back on track. Most lenders have a financial interest in keeping you in your home and may be willing to alter the terms of your loan or devise a repayment plan.
Fear: Homeowners believe that if their mortgage company has already turned them down for a loan modification, there is no point in contacting a counseling agency.
Many homeowners are turned down for a loan modification because the information they provide to their lender indicates that their expenses exceed their income or that they have not provided accurate documentation and information about their loan. A housing counselor may be able to suggest alternatives that better suit your current financial situation or help you make adjustments that make you a better candidate for a loan modification with your lender.
Fear: Homeowners fear being judged by others for seeking help.
These are challenging financial times. While it may feel like you are the only one struggling, the reality is that many of your friends and neighbors are also finding it difficult to stay afloat.
Fear: Homeowners think it is better to use all of their financial resources before seeking help.
Many homeowners try to ride out the financial storm, using their savings and depleting their retirement accounts before seeking help. By the time they do seek help, they are in an even more desperate financial situation and they have spent the resources that may have given them more options in dealing with their mortgage crisis.
Fear: Homeowners facing foreclosure fear that their situation is hopeless.
While for some, seeking help may mean saving their home, it is inevitable that some homeowners will end up in foreclosure. A certified housing counselor or real estate professional can help homeowners work through the foreclosure and build a new path for long-term financial success.
Fear: Companies claiming they can save your home charge large, up-front fees.
You can receive counseling from a reputable, nonprofit housing counseling agency at no charge. While there are unscrupulous businesses looking to take advantage of homeowners, there are also many HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that offer help for struggling consumers.
Please don’t let fear stand in the way of saving your home. Feel free to e-mail me for guidance on your specific situation and please pass this along to any friends and family members who may also need to confront these fears and get proactive.
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As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am frequently asked these days for my advice on loan modification…specifically, how quickly new loan terms can be arranged. Waiting to find out if your application for loan modification has been accepted can be a nerve-wracking and frustrating experience—especially if you’re still receiving late payment notices and creditor calls. Here are some important insights into the loan modification process from consumer advocate and author Ralph R. Roberts. 1. The loan modification process typically takes 30 to 90 days, depending mostly on your lender. The loan modification timeline, however, is not set in stone. The more complex your situation, the longer the process takes. Borrowers with a lot of collateral issues can see their loans take longer than what has become the typical 30- to 90-day timeframe. 2. A professional can often reduce the amount of time required by processing your paperwork efficiently, presenting your application exactly the way the lender wants it, and knowing from past experience what the lender is able and typically willing to agree to. Find out how long the process is likely to take and mark the dates on your calendar. 3. Refer all matters to the professional who is representing your loan modification. Anything you say to the lender could confuse things or compromise your representative’s ability to negotiate the best deal on your behalf. 4. Log all phone calls and correspondence between you and your lender or representative. Keep track of important dates. Consistent follow up is paramount to a successful modification. 5. Explore other options. If the lender denies your request for a loan modification or presents an offer that you cannot accept, you will need a plan B. Consult a real estate agent about listing your home for sale. Talk to a mortgage broker or loan officer about refinancing. Speak with a bankruptcy attorney to find out whether filing bankruptcy would be a better choice. 6. You might continue to receive delinquency notices or late payment phone calls. Push to have all default and foreclosure actions put on hold while your workout attempts are underway. The loan modification process can be long and trying, but doing your part to keep the process on track by remaining informed can increase your chances of a positive outcome and reduce stress. For more advice on loan modification, please e-mail me—I can point you in the right direction. Please also forward this important information to your social network; it just might help someone you know.
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While there are many different variables that contribute to selling a home, during the course of my real estate career, I have witnessed one constant: the kitchen.
Today, the kitchen has become more of a multi-functional space than ever before, where cooking happens alongside bill paying and homework, not to mention the kitchen’s role as social hub for family and friends. That’s why it’s more important than ever to buyers and sellers alike that this key room be fresh and inviting.
While home improvement experts report that kitchen remodels provide anywhere from an 80-100% return on investment, based on my years of experience working with homeowners, I have found that just by updating certain aspects, the entire look and feel of the kitchen can be refreshed and modernized—and your home’s value increased in the process.
As design expert Melissa Birdsong, vice president for Trend, Design & Brand at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (www.lowes.com), says, if the kitchen is outdated and tired, the whole house can feel that way; a few simple updates can make all the difference in getting the green light on the buying decision. So whether you want to update your kitchen for your own lifestyle enhancement or to help move it off the market, try these tips from Birdsong:
1. Color and light are the easiest, most cost-efficient elements to add personality and ambience to the kitchen. Use your vegetable bin and spice cabinet for inspiration! A scheme of natural greens, yellows, mustards and russets washed with dimmable overhead and under-cabinet lighting can add energy as well as create a level of calm.
2. If the existing cabinets are sturdy but the finish is sending out a distress signal, a well-executed paint job can turn it around. Mismatched appliances and worn flooring are other leading visual cues, so if the budget permits, replace them.
3. Last but not least, add sparkle and a new point of view to the kitchen by replacing the metals palette--cabinet hardware, faucet, lighting and outlet covers. A few thoughtfully chosen, simple finish updates can seal the deal.
As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network(R), I have access to more great ideas for improving your kitchen as well as all areas of your home…both for your own lifestyle enjoyment and to increase your home’s value. Please e-mail me to discuss other ways to improve your home’s value and please forward this email to your social network who may also find it helpful.
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