Sunday, May 1, 2011

FORECLOSURE vs. SHORT SALE? Is like saying, Depression, Ignorance and Financial Distress VS. Alternative to deal with Crisis.

Foreclosure can be harmful not just financially but psychologically too.

Let’s face it, foreclosure has become a trend now days. Is sad for me to even mention this but statistics show our reality. I feel certain that no one is happy or satisfied by losing their home, it’s a big deal and a hit on the integrity and honor for everybody: Real estate investors, landlords and specially homeowners. So why is Foreclosure taking place? IGNORANCE.

Most people don’t know they have alternatives (to learn more about your alternatives go towww.housesbymaria.com or www.sellmyhouseflorida.net ) and the shame and frustration make them abandon their properties, or they believe that a choice for them is to give back what they no longer feel theirs (thanks to blast mailing and crazy collection calls and letters that state to turn back the property to lender ) or what its best known Deed in lieu. As my grandmother taught me “no worse that the fight that’s never done” Please read this carefully before you make any move…

I once heard that Crisis means “the turning point” of a cycle. The reality is that we as human beings are very adaptive to circumstances and environments that we encounter all for survival purposes .
When a crisis or distress situation takes place it’s a believe that the best way to proceed is avoiding as much damage as possible when resolving the matter.
How do we place this analogy in to OUR potential foreclosure situation? Following what we just mention; there are alternatives. SHORT SALE will be the best way to proceed avoiding as much damage as possible; Why? The truth is that SHORT SALE became a better way for banks, homeowners, and the real estate market to face the crisis of today.

A few years back it was easy to get a home loan. Credit standards were very wide and lax, down payments were low or nothing, proof of income was overseen and interest rates were almost nothing early in the loan life. In fact, it was so easy to get a home loan that many people bought houses that they could not afford. Then again there was IGNORANCE feed by crazy “deals” that were sale by the MEDIA, GOVERNMENT, and REAL ESTATE “professionals” with poor sense of ethics, or ignorant.

As a result, many are facing foreclosure in the “crisis of today”.

How can foreclosure be a psychological impact in your life? Well, is invariably accompanied by anxiety and stress. Damaged credit, potential homelessness, having to uproot the children from their schools and friends, and embarrassment with peers are just a few of the immediate consequences of foreclosure.
Unchecked, anxiety can lead to DEPRESSION. There is a feeling of being lost and of hopelessness. DEPRESSION can be marked by a tired feeling, both mentally and physically. Self-doubt comes from the feelings of embarrassment and disgrace. The process fuels itself. The very feeling of insecurity leads to an inability to act.
The unemployed cannot seem to get out there and find another job. This of course, only helps to make the situation worse. It becomes a downward spiral. This kind of DEPRESSION invariably requires professional medical treatment, which ironically is outside the budget for the person that has just lost his home.
Other ailments too have been observed. Among those that have lost their homes through foreclosure, there is an above average tendency towards alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling addiction, eating disorders and other self-destructive conditions. In this environment, divorce is common as is a tendency towards violence. There is a positive correlation between the increase in foreclosures and an attendant increase in domestic abuse cases.
Yes, loss of the home through foreclosure is tragic. However, there are things that can be done to reduce both the financial and the psychological effects. Take action as early as possible. It is not convenient for your lender to foreclose, and it’s not worth to lose your calm and clarity of mind. This is the moment when you need the most of brain understanding to make a decision based on   information and education about what is causing this crisis and how can you resolve the matter. There are experts and government programs that can help you.
In addition, even if you are not successful in staving off foreclosure you are likely to be better prepared for the consequences. You will have more time to make plans for the future. Perhaps more important, the very actions you take early on will help you fight off the feeling of helplessness, which so often leads to anxiety and depression.
I have a very good sense of understanding when it comes to distress situations especially FINANCIAL wise, I personally come from a very humble and low income family that always worked hard to make ends meet. This is why  now I became a CDPE agent (certified distress property expert) it gives me the opportunity to have a voice and help when crisis comes in to our surroundings.
FORECLOSURE vs. SHORT SALE?  Is like saying:
Depression, Ignorance and Financial Distress VS. Alternative to deal with Crisis.

Remember…
“Crisis means TURNING POINT!”
Don’t let this crisis take you to a negative place. Stop being IGNORANT and educate yourself to a better path in your life.



Friday, April 15, 2011

Maria's point of view...

What is the difference between a Foreclosure and a Short Sale?
The reality is that there are big differences between a Short Sale and a Foreclosure and every buyer and seller of Central Florida needs to be aware of these.
1) In a short sale the bank does NOT own the Home or Condo, whereas in a foreclosure the bank is the owner of the property.
2) The time frame to purchase a Short Sale is much longer than a Foreclosure. In a condominium it can be even longer if there is past due maintenance owed to the condo association.
3) Usually the condition of Real Estate that has gone through the short sale process is far better than homes and condominiums that have been foreclosed on.
4) Sellers who may see Foreclosure down the road need to work aggressively with an experienced Short Sale agent to avoid Foreclosure.
In the Central Florida Real Estate market there are exceptions to every rule but let’s discuss these primary issues that distinguish foreclosures from short sales in the market we face today. When the bank owns the property, a foreclosure, they are motivated to sell. Once the bank places the property onto the MLS with a Realtor the average days on market are between 5-30 active status days. Often there is a bidding period where the most qualified buyer takes over the title of BUYER for such address. It’s important to have mentioned that most of the time these houses (foreclosed homes) are sold above asking price.
In a short sale, the bank does not own the home or condo, and the goal is to get an offer in front of the bank, that makes sense in the current real estate market. Depending on the bank the process can take up to 9 months to approved and finalize the short sale process. A Realtor that is well versed in the short sale market and has the necessary resources to surround your needs it’s the Realtor that will embrace a successful process.
We must remember that Short sale can be a failure and cause to face a foreclosure if factors like communication and cooperation are not meet. It takes a well funded team that includes you to succeed. The number of sellers seeking this type of debt relief where homes prices have fallen as much as 50% has caused many banks to be simply being overwhelmed with the process. This is why you need to get a well base and knowledgeable group of professionals like: http://sellmyhouseflorida.net/ Or http://www.housesbymaria.com/ 
 Come and read through our pages and just by reading you will find relief THERE Are options for you!
The last issue we mentioned above is condition. The foreclosure process can be long. The court system is processing more than they were ever equipped to handle. The uncertainty of the process forces many homeowners to leave their home and move on with their lives long before the foreclosure process is final. After all why would anyone want to witness the day they lose their home.
In the case of a Short sale it can be different. Many home owners stay in their home throughout the short sale process. The electric is on, the air conditioning is running, and the end result is a home or condo that has been cared for until closing day. In many cases this cared for home represents a better value to the buyer, who has had to be very patient throughout the long process.
If you are behind on your mortgage payments, and already have seen that a modification is not going to work, do not wait, we are here to help!