Tales From The Trenches in Northern Nevada Real Estate

Tales From The Trenches in Northern Nevada Real Estate

Frustrated or confused in this market? Consider some of these recent experiences, all true stories. Think your lender is giving you fits? How about this one – A couple was looking to refinance their home to take advantage of the new low rates. They were seeking $100,000 on an appraised value of $360,000, 28% Loan to Value. Their credit scores, husband and wife, are 840 and 820 (not a typo) respectively. They were turned down. Why? The stated reason is because they are tearing out their deck and replacing it with a patio, and they used two pieces of siding on their expansion that didn’t match the rest of the home. This is the same asset that the company is already using to secure a higher rate loan. True story. Think the lender didn’t want to give up a higher rate loan? They are appealing to upper management and to their Senator.

We had a Buyer write full price on a bank-owned property. Excellent agent on the other side, no problem, right? Fourteen days later the madness continues. Some adventures along the way: Lender countered with 10% down to a Buyer that is getting a 100% loan. The next Counter they allowed the 100% loan, but said the transaction wasn’t conditioned on the Buyer getting a loan. The last go ‘round included the bank removing the agents’ selling fees. Sound like the asset manager was punching the wrong buttons on the portal, or simply didn’t know what he was doing? Either way, the Buyer has been on an unnecessary roller coaster ride.

We wrote full price on another bank-owned property. They countered one item because “they had to” – the close of escrow. They extended it from 15 days to 30-plus. The Buyers went along and we proceeded. A week later the bank started requesting an early close. They had it to begin with, held up the acceptance to counter with an extended closing, and then reversed their course. This after they took days to accept and then demanded acceptance within 24 hours. This last item is very common these days with bank owned properties.

Then there’s the ex-wife that won’t sign docs for a short sale. Refused to cooperate. She recently went to buy a new home and is running in to problems with her loan because of the late payments on her old home that the ex got in the divorce. They could have been minimized if she would have cooperated 9 months ago when he was current but struggling! She’s threatening suit on the ex-husband because he couldn’t make the payments after he lost his job. Remember, they bought the house on both of their incomes, he now has zero income. Hmmm – what’s a judge to do?

Our Advice: These are just snippets of what’s going on around town. There are many, many more examples that are simply jawdroppers. Hard to believe, but it is the reality and must be dealt with. Whether buying or selling, it more important than ever to have a good seasoned agent to help you navigate this tumultuous Market. It is important to stay calm, stay focused, and proceed to your objective. Things are really quite exciting right now and you can be a part of it – just be ready for surprises.

Keep your eye on your goal and don’t get emotionally wrapped up in the brushes of insanity you’ll experience along the way. Make sure it doesn’t rub off on you and you’ll be just fine. The end game is what counts for you and your family – remember that as you laugh at the ludicrous scenarios that unfold before you and you’ll have fun while you succeed. A good way to live.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, CDPE, SFR, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472. carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

Short Sale Update … Are They Working … Worth It?

The Short Sale has gone from something that few practitioners had ever heard of to a commonly used real estate term. When they first became popular they were nearly impossible to implement. Lenders were so hard to work with that most Short Sale efforts were for naught. Things have changed considerably to a point where they are feasible though not for the faint of heart.

The Seller must provide substantial information to prove need including a Hardship Letter, Financial Statement, bank statements, paycheck stubs, tax returns, etc. The Lender wants to know what changed the borrower’s repayment ability, and if there are other assets that could be used to repay, i.e.- cash, stock holdings, other real property assets. This takes work, but is required and worth it.

We’ve learned a lot in the past eighteen months about doing Short Sales. It used to be frustrating when the lender would say that we weren’t authorized to talk to them even though we had submitted the correct paperwork. It was frustrating when they said they had not received our FAX transmission of the documents. This was common, and done repeatedly – we would send each package, all 60-plus pages, three times. It didn’t matter who the lender was, this is what the agent encountered. We now know that they are taught how to get agents off the phone as quickly as possible and those were two of their best techniques. With this knowledge we know to stay the course on the phone, ask for a supervisor and ultimately they will find everything to be in order and we can proceed with the business that needs to be done. It is one way that agents have achieved a higher level of success in implementing Short Sales.

There are scavengers hovering over distressed property owners so be careful who you agree to work with and what services you agree to pay for. There are those that are trying to tie your property up with an option at a low price while they try to flip it in a double escrow. No, it isn’t legal, but it is a predatory practice that is presently occurring. Other services are being offered with the understanding that the lender will pay for them. The problem is that the lender won’t pay for them and the already cash-strapped Seller has to pay. Yet another scammer offered to tell the Seller how to cure her loan that was in default for $5,000. She paid – the advice, “Pay your loan current.” True story.

Our advice: Sellers can realize great benefits and Buyers can get a very good price with a Short Sale transaction if you stick it out and allow it to work. Make sure the Listing agent is Short Sale savvy. Short Sales have become an area of special expertise just like dealing with industrial properties or ranch properties. Realtors aren’t to work outside of their area of knowledge and we believe the Short Sale has become an area that the inexperienced shouldn’t indulge without a mentor. Allow enough time, and be patient. There are significant steps to each SS transaction that you want to look for to assure progress: a. The package was received. b. The BPO was received, c. A negotiator has been assigned. d. A decision to accept or Counter is reached. Short Sales are closing much to the benefit of Buyers, Sellers and Lenders.

The latest lender technique we’ve encountered – telling us the Mortgage Insurance company requires them to get a specific minimum amount on their loan. The problem it’s a second and there is no PMI. The first won’t pay more and they will be wiped out if they don’t take the payment the first authorized. They continue to play these games to get more money. When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs … Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472. carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

Do Not Let Your House Go To Foreclosure Without Taking Every Step To Prevent It.

If you owe more than your property is worth, you have as a Distressed Property. Until recently, working with Distressed Properties was fraught with peril for agents, and owners were often told to “let it go”, ie.- stop making payments and let the lender foreclose. We’ll spare you the horrific Short Sale experiences as well as our speculation as to why the lending industry was so slow to adapt to the need to cooperate with home owners and their agents. Times have changed and Short Sales are now viable and should be given serious consideration.

Unknown to most of us until about 18 months ago, Short Sales are now very common, and it is very important to understand their benefit to the homeowner. Consider some of the following differences between the effects of a Foreclosure versus a Short Sale:

Credit Score: A Foreclosure will lower your credit score 250 to over 300 points for over 3 years. A Short Sale will show late payments, but the score will be lowered as little as 50 points, and the affect can be as brief as 12-18 months.

Credit History: Foreclosure will remain on credit history for 10 years or more. Short Sale is not reported on a credit history as there is no specific reporting item for “Short Sale”. Foreclosure remains on public record forever as it is recorded.

Employment: Employers often actively check credit of employees in sensitive positions – especially security clearances (Military, Police, Public Communication, Public Utilities, etc). Foreclosure can result in immediate reassignment or termination if employed, or can prevent you from being hired if you are looking for work. A Short Sale is not reported on credit report … is not a challenge to employment.

Deficiency Judgment: In a Foreclosure the bank has the right to a deficiency judgment. Some successful Short Sales provide for the lender to give up the right to a deficiency judgment. If a deficiency judgment is pursued the Short Sale’s higher yield from the sale results in a lower potential judgment amount.

Future Fannie Mae Loan: After Foreclosure you’ll be ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed loan for 5 years. Short Sale - 2 years.

Future Loans: For 7 years you will be asked on your application if you have had a foreclosure, but there is no similar declaration regarding a Short Sale.

Our Advice: There is now a designation known as Certified Distressed Property Expert that has been earned by local real estate agents to help Sellers and Buyers of Distressed properties. If you have cash flow or moving issues, we suggest you get professional help to assess your situation, determine alternative options, and make an action plan. The world of Short Sales and Foreclosures has changed from the frustrating mass confusion that it was to today’s smoother processes with positive results. Though there is still frustration and emotion, help is available to you that can help you establish and achieve your goals through the confusing maze.

Whether getting the financial elephant off your back, moving to put the family together, or other bona fide reason for selling … if you have a Distressed Property get with a Certified Distressed Property Expert and take control of your future. Foreclosure is the last option…do what you can to avoid it.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472, carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com

We've Discovered the Secret of "Short Sale Success!

We think we’ve unlocked the secret to actually achieving success and making money with short sales! I’ve worked hard all year on a variety of “Short Sales” with a variety of circumstances and a huge variety of lenders.

After 6 full months of diligently pursuing the listings, contacting the lenders, presenting the offers, thousands and thousands of pages of faxed and re-faxed contracts, and following through with the escrows: these are the final results … ( Drum Roll Please!!!)

7 Short Sale Listings.
11 Offers to Purchase.
8 Accepted Offers that were submitted to Lenders.
10 Different ‘Negotiators” or “Loss Mitigators” or what ever else they call themselves.
5 Frustrated Buyers who walked after the time for Lender approval had come and gone, usually weeks and weeks after the approval time had expired..
2 Contracts still pending that we are trying to obtain “Lender Approval” on and close.

And …

1 (count it … ONE) Closed Escrow!

So … after considerable reflection on the matter … We have come to the conclusion that the success stories surrounding “Short Sales”, are the agents who are teaching and selling the “How To Make Money with Short Sale” Classes.