Charleston Short Sales: A Little Known Fact About Short Sale Negotiators

Charleston SC – A negotiator at a large bank tried to mislead a Stop Foreclosure Institute Member. She really got on our nerves.

Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.

You see, we've spent the last few years figuring out all the guidelines for short sales. If the loan being shorted is an FHA Loan, VA Loan, Fannie Mae Loan, or Freddie Mac Loan, then the guidelines for the short sale are different.

In this case, the loan being shorted was an FHA loan. Here's what happened.

FHA puts out a letter called "Mortgagee Letter 2008-43." It details exactly how the lender handling a short sale on FHA’s behalf is supposed to negotiate on a short sale.

This letter is 16 pages long and gives them specific directions on how much to pay agents, what percentage of the appraisal they can accept, etc. (If you're doing an FHA short sale, then Google "Mortgage Letter 2008-43.")

Because of a prior horrible experience on another FHA short sale, we had studied up on the FHA short sale guidelines. Bottom line, we know a little bit about FHA's rules for short sales.

The problem was that this short sale negotiator didn't want to follow the rules! Instead she made up her own rules!

She told me that the buyer and seller had to split the cost of the title insurance. The problem is that on page 12 of the Mortgage Letter, it says that they are allowed to approve a file paying the standard title insurance costs.

In the area where the property was selling, it was standard for the seller to pay for the title insurance. Because of that the buyer wasn’t willing to pay the cost and threatened to back out of the deal.

This short sale negotiator wouldn’t budge. We had to argue back and forth with her for 2-3 days until she finally relented.

It is pretty frustrating when a large bank won’t follow the specific short sale guidelines laid out by the owner of the loan. If the loan owner gives you specific instructions on how to negotiate a short sale, then follow those instructions!

Before you hire a short sale agent, make sure they understand the guidelines for your type of loan. That way, when a short sale negotiator tries to break the rules, they can keep them in line. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (843) 608-9520

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Charleston loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Jeff Cook.

Jeff is a Real Estate Agent at AgentOwned Realty Co.

Phone: (843) 608-9520. JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com.



View My homes for sale at www.JeffCookRealEstate.com.

Jeff Cook specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Charleston South Carolina. Charleston Loan Modification Help, Charleston short sales. Charleston short sale realtor. Charleston SC Short Sales. Charleston Realtor.

Copyright 2011 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Jeff Cook, AgentOwned Realty Co, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Cook's personal views and do not reflect the views of AgentOwned Realty Co.

This information on Charleston Short Sales: A Little Known Fact About Short Sale Negotiators is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Why Charleston Short Sales Sell For A Higher Price Than A Charleston Foreclosure

Charleston SC – People often wonder why their lender will release their debt in a short sale. Most lenders don't like to release the debt. But, they agree to do it because they know that policy nets them more money.

They net more because a home usually sells for more money as a short sale versus after it has been foreclosed upon. Let's go thru a few examples.

Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.



[caption id="attachment_1560" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Most Short Sales Are Well Kept Up And Attractive To Buyers."] [/caption]

See the home in the top picture? You can see that it is good shape. Most short sales are being sold while the homeowner lives in the home.

The homeowners are able to keep the house up. They keep the inside clean and neat. In addition, they mow the lawn and keep up on the yard.

This makes a big difference in the sales price. Would you rather buy a home that is in great condition or one that needs work?

Now look at the home in the bottom picture. That is an abandoned home in foreclosure. No one is there to keep up on the yard.

[caption id="attachment_1561" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Abandoned Home in Foreclosure."][/caption]

The inside of the home is probably dirty. Vagrants can break into the home. The home is also an easy target for vandalism.

The bottom line is that most short sales are in better shape than a foreclosed home. In fact, they are usually in much better shape.

That is why they sell for more money, thereby cutting the lender's losses. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (843) 608-9520

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Charleston loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Jeff Cook.

Jeff is a Real Estate Agent at AgentOwned Realty Co.

Phone: (843) 608-9520. JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com.



View My homes for sale at www.JeffCookRealEstate.com.

Jeff Cook specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Charleston South Carolina. Charleston Loan Modification Help, Charleston short sales. Charleston short sale realtor. Charleston SC Short Sales. Charleston Realtor.

Copyright 2011 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Jeff Cook, AgentOwned Realty Co, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Cook's personal views and do not reflect the views of AgentOwned Realty Co.

This information on Why Charleston Short Sales Sell For A Higher Price Than A Charleston Foreclosure is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Charleston Short Sales: How to strong arm your lender on a short sale

Charleston SC – Here is a technique you can use to “strong arm” you’re your lender on your short sale. The number one reason people short sale is to salvage their credit.

After all, a short sale has much less of an impact on your credit than a foreclosure. Despite all this, banks still make short sales tough.

How would you feel if you worked hard on a short sale only to watch it fall apart because you lender dragged their feet?

Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.

Later on the property sells for even less money than the short sale offer you had. I have said in earlier posts that, in my opinion, you could sue the lender for the damage caused to your credit by the foreclosure.

After all, the only reason the short sale wasn’t successful was because they dragged their feet. Here is the technique you can use to strong arm the lender to accept the short sale.

Use your rights as a homeowner to get more information about the BPO. An inaccurate BPO is the number one reason short sales fail.

Getting your hands on a copy of the BPO will help your agent contest an inaccurate BPO. And it would be a big help in any future lawsuit. Here is the step by step strategy:

1. Request a complete itemized payoff from the foreclosing lawyer. In addition, request a copy from the lender themselves. You do this by faxing them a request. Usually you will get an answer in 7-10 business days.

2. Review the payoff to see where the BPO is itemized. If a BPO has ever been ordered, it will most likely by itemized on there. If not, it may be included in some other payoff cost. Get confirmation of that in writing from the lender.

3. Since the BPO is added onto the amount owed by the homeowner, they have a right to a copy under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Fax the lender's legal department a request for a copy of the BPO.

Send a copy of the payoff and circle the spot where you think the BPO payment is. Request a copy for the borrower under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. In addition, also mail the lender's legal department the same request.

If the lender does not comply, then you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, The Office of Thrift Supervision at www.ots.treas.gov, the FDIC at www.FDIC.gov, and the Comptroller of the Currency at www.helpwithmybank.gov.

Indicate on your correspondence with the lender that if they do not comply, then you will be filing complaints with those agencies. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (843) 608-9520

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Charleston loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Jeff Cook.

Jeff is a Real Estate Agent at AgentOwned Realty Co.

Phone: (843) 608-9520. JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com.



View My homes for sale at www.JeffCookRealEstate.com.

Jeff Cook specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Charleston South Carolina. Charleston Loan Modification Help, Charleston short sales. Charleston short sale realtor. Charleston SC Short Sales. Charleston Realtor.

Copyright 2011 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Jeff Cook, AgentOwned Realty Co, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Cook's personal views and do not reflect the views of AgentOwned Realty Co.

This information on Charleston Short Sales: How to strong arm your lender on a short sale is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Charleston SC – Barron’s Magazine recently had an article titled "Renter Nation." In it, they detailed the various factors at work that will reduce the homeownership rate in America.

Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.

The homeownership rate has already dropped from 69.2% to 66.9% today. Here is one of the factors Barron’s said would cause the homeownership rate to drop. Experts project that the average American Household will become younger over the next decade.

Younger households are more likely to rent versus purchase a home. However, the article missed another big factor. So many people have ruined their credit and can't qualify for a mortgage.

How many people in America are doing a loan modification, short sale, or let their home be foreclosed upon? It's hard to buy another home when that happens. Demographics, the lousy economy, and the credit disaster combined mean that demand for homes may stay low for a long time.

The positive news is that all of these factors have propped up the rental market. Rental rates are actually increasing in most areas, despite the slow economy.

I think one of the reasons this is happening is because banks are so reluctant to modify loans.

And, even thought rental rates have increased, they are usually lower than owning a home bought at the peak of the market. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (843) 608-9520

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Charleston loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Jeff Cook.

Jeff is a Real Estate Agent at AgentOwned Realty Co.

Phone: (843) 608-9520. JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com.



View My homes for sale at www.JeffCookRealEstate.com.

Jeff Cook specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Charleston South Carolina. Charleston Loan Modification Help, Charleston short sales. Charleston short sale realtor. Charleston SC Short Sales. Charleston Realtor.

Copyright 2011 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Jeff Cook, AgentOwned Realty Co, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Cook's personal views and do not reflect the views of AgentOwned Realty Co.

This information on Charleston Short Sales: The Homeownership Rate continues to drop is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Charleston Short Sales: What is a HUD-1 and why does it matter on a short sale?

Charleston SC – Here is something that drives inexperienced short sale agents crazy. It is a HUD-1, also called a HUD. HUD is the Federal Agency, the Department of Housing & Urban Development, also called HUD.

A HUD-1 is a document regulated by HUD. It is the financial accounting for a real estate sale. Here is why it is important to a short sale.

Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here.

Before a short sale lender will accept a short sale, they want to know what they will net from the sale. A HUD-1 breaks down all the projected closing costs so the lender can see their net.

Most agents are familiar with a HUD-1. They see them at the closing of every home they sell. But, seeing a HUD-1 at a closing is not the same as the familiarity you learn on short sales.

See, if you mess up on that HUD-1, then it puts the short sale transaction in jeopardy. The short sale lender will look at a projected HUD-1 and agree to accept a certain number.

If unexpected costs get added to the HUD-1, then that net goes down. (There are always unexpected costs on a short sale. I can tell you from personal experience.) Now, the agent has to go back and re-negotiate with the short sale lender. That can drag out the process another 60-90 days.

The buyer will usually get frustrated and cancel the contract. Then, the agent has to re-sell the house and start the process all over again.

This is what causes many agents to hate short sales. They didn’t take the HUD-1 seriously and had problems on a short sale. As a result, they think all short sales are impossible.

To truly be successful at short sales, the agent must understand HUD-1s inside and out. They need to make sure that every single projected expense is added to the HUD-1 at the beginning of the negotiations.

Adding them after you have negotiated isn’t going to work. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and never pay the bank another penny. Send me an e-mail at JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at (843) 608-9520

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Charleston loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Jeff Cook.

Jeff is a Real Estate Agent at AgentOwned Realty Co.

Phone: (843) 608-9520. JeffCook@JeffCookRealEstate.com.



View My homes for sale at www.JeffCookRealEstate.com.

Jeff Cook specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Charleston South Carolina. Charleston Loan Modification Help, Charleston short sales. Charleston short sale realtor. Charleston SC Short Sales. Charleston Realtor.

Copyright 2010 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Jeff Cook, AgentOwned Realty Co, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Cook's personal views and do not reflect the views of AgentOwned Realty Co.

This information on Charleston Short Sales: What is a HUD-1 and why does it matter on a short sale? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.