2010 Year Of The Short Sale

Ada county had 77 short sale properties  fund and record in the month of February 2010. Prices ranging from $531,700 down to$53,000. Ada county includes the cities of – Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Meridian, Kuna and Star.  That is a 100% increase of short sale homes closed from the same month last year, are we seeing a trend? 2009 highest sold price was $700,000 and the lowest was $120,000.

Canyon county had 32 short sale properties fund and record in the month of February 2010. Prices ranging from $359,000 down to $42,000. Canyon county includes the cities of – Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, Melba, and Middleton.  That is a %90 increase of short sale homes closed from the same month last year, I ask again are we seeing a trend? 2009 highest sold price was $417,500 and the lowest was $71,070 (not including a manufactured sale of $12,500)

So for comparison we have the month of February in 2009 and again the same month for 2010, closed short sales are up while prices have continued to go down. I do feel that values should start finding the floor while more and more short sales get completed. While loan modifications are still trying to make sense (will they write principle balance down to current market value?) or will 2010 be the year of the Short Sale! April 5th is the deadline for new short sale rules to be rolled out which should increase the success of short sales closed. Sum it up short sales sold are up and the prices are down- Great time to buy and also could be a great time to take a look at your home if it is underwater and you have trouble making payments- If your are wondering what your options are and would like assistance please don’t hesitate and call Joshua Groesbeck 208-353-7131 or visit http://www.homeswithjosh.com or http://idshortsale.com

Certified Distressed Property Specialist 208-353-7131

statistics are from the intermountain mls

Overwhelming Negative Home Equity

With more and more evidence of more and more borrowers walking away from their mortgage commitments due to overwhelming negative equity, I got to thinking: What exactly is the monetary tipping point for a homeowner, someone occupying the home, hanging pictures on the walls, perhaps raising their kids in the second and third bedrooms, going to the neighborhood block parties…what exactly is the negative equity number that makes them say, “We’re outta here.”

Negative $70,000.

At least according to First American Core Logic. FACL put out its quarterly negative equity report today, showing that the number of “underwater” loans is rising, from 10.7 million in Q3 to 11.3 million in Q4 or 24 percent of all borrowers from 23 percent.

What interested me was a paragraph lower down in the report:

“The rise in negative equity is closely tied to increases in pre-foreclosure activity and is a major factor in changing homeowner default behavior. Once negative equity exceeds 25 percent, or the mortgage balance is $70,000 higher than the current property values, owners begin to default with the same propensity as investors.”

This behavior is apparently measured by the actual data, that is, the default rates of investors vs.. owners and comparing that to loan-to-value ratios.

Source: Diana Olick

This is a measuring stick of how most home owners view their property. Take into consideration that there still are many people that aren’t quite 25% negative equity but do have loss of income and not enough equity to still sell their home outright that may still qualify for short sale. For more information go to http://idshortsale.com also more information at www.homeswithjosh.com or simply call Joshua Groesbeck at 208-353-7131

Idaho Short Sale

An Idaho Real Estate Short Sale of a property, in it’s simplest form, is the process of selling your property for less than what is owed to the lender, with the lenders approval. If you are looking for realtors that do short sales than you have come to the right place, we do Idaho Real Estate Short Sales.

This process is used generally to prevent Idaho Foreclosure, and a home owner can qualify for a Idaho Short Sale if they have had financial hardship and their property is worth less than what is owed to the lender.

Many home owners purchased their homes with adjustable rate mortgage, interest only and even negative amortization loans. These loans don’t provide any payoff of the principle and payments can fluctuate and/or increase over time.

Other home owners have lost a job, had a death in the family or other unforeseen situations that have devastating affects on their financial situation. With their financial situation worsening and home values continuing to decline many people are seeking an Idaho Short Sale as a viable exit strategy.

To see if you qualify go to http://idshortsale.com/

Options When Facing Foreclosure

1. Do Nothing – If a homeowner does nothing, they most likely will lose their home at foreclosure auction.  Loan applications generally ask if the applicant has ever been foreclosed upon.  Credit reports also disclose this damaging information. Not the best option.

2. Payoff/Refinance – Completely paying off the entire loan amount plus any default amount and fees.  Usually this is accomplished through a refinance of the debt.  New debt is at a normally higher interest rate and there may be a prepayment penalty because of the recent default.  With this option, there should be equity in the home.

3. Reinstatement – Paying the entire default amount plus interest, attorney fees, late fees, taxes, missed payments and fees.

4. Loan Modification – Utilizing the existing mortgage company to refinance the debt or extend the terms of the loan.  This may allow the homeowner to catch up at a more affordable level.  To qualify, you must prove to the lender you have fixed the problem that caused the late payment.

5. Forbearance – Lender may be able to arrange a repayment plan based on the homeowner’s financial situation.  The lender may even be able to provide a temporary payment reduction or suspension of payments.  Information will be required from the lender to show that you are able to meet the new payment plan requirements.

6. Partial Claim – A loan from the lender for a 2^nd loan to include back payments, costs and fees.

7. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure – Give the property back to the bank instead of the bank foreclosing.  Banks generally require the home be well maintained, all mortgage payment and taxes must be current.  Most loan applications ask if this has ever happened.

8. Bankruptcy – This option can liquidate debt and/or allow more time.  I can refer you to a qualified bankruptcy attorney.

–Chapter 7 (Liquidation) To completely settle personal debt.

–Chapter 13 (Wage Earner Plan) Payments are made toward a plan to pay off debts in 3-5 years.

–Chapter 11 (Business Reorganization) A business debt solution.

9. Sale – If the property has equity (money left over after all loans and monetary encumbrances are paid). The homeowner may sell the home without lender approval through a conventional home sale.  In this case, the homeowner will get cash from the sale.  On the other hand, a Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, can be negotiated with your lender by your Real Estate Professional if what is owed is MORE than the property’s value.

Hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions please feel free to call Josh Groesbeck 208-353-7131 or josh@homeswithjosh.com and don’t let your home go to foreclosure.

Idaho Short Sale Application

Your confidential short sale application is now available by clicking here

http://www.homeswithjosh.com/home/short-sale-application/

Idaho Short Sale Tips

2. Authorization Letter

You will need to get an authorization form either from your lender or your experienced Idaho real estate agent will have one. Once your idaho real estate agent is authorized to speak with your lender about your home it is time to sit back and let that agent shine.
Let them be your voice with the lender.  Part of the listing agreement will include a “short sale addendum”, which will outline the rights and duties of your agent also allowing your idaho real estate agent to negotiate with the lender’s on your behalf. Your real estate agent should give you a clear line of communication and update you with all negotiations with the lenders.

Idaho Short Sale Help

In many cases  a loan modification is not possible or just doesn’t make any sense because the value is much less than what is owed on the home. In the past a short sale was anything but short, with big money institutions dragging their feet only to end up taking back a home at a much larger loss than if they would have just completed the sale short. Idaho Short Sale Help  is on the way with government incentives. It is my belief that 2010 will bring a large load of short sales being worked out and minimizing the amount of home foreclosures and here is why

1. Up to $1,500 that will be given to seller for relocation
2. Servicers can get up to $1,000 compensation
3. Second lien holders will receive up to $3,000 to write off the remaining balance and let home be sold as a short sale

Josh Groesbeck is experienced with the Idaho Short Sale and has his team prepared to help whether you are in an upside down mortgage or have hit hard times, timing is of them importance so please call Josh direct for assistance 208-353-7131 or josh@homeswithjosh.com

List Your Home Now

Timing is very important when you are looking to list and sell your home. My advice is get your home ready to list now and catch what many experts are expecting to help a large number of home sales this year-Home Buyer Tax Credits-  Buyer’s are needed to have their home under contract by April 30th 2010 to get the much desirable tax credit which is available to First Time Home Buyer’s and Repeat Home Buyer’s if eligible. For more information about selling your home or buying a home please feel free to contact Joshua Groesbeck 208-353-7131