In simple terms...

A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the proceeds from the sale fall short of the balance owed on a loan or mortgage secured by the property sold.

The process can be lenghty and requires the homeowner to work with their lender's Loss Mitigation department and provide information relative to financials, reason for needing the short sale and possibly even a hardship letter.

Also, if there is a second mortgage on the property, the process becomes even more difficult.  Many times with Home Equity Loans or Second mortgages, the homeowner may still have to repay these, regardless of what the primary mortgage lienholder is willing to do.

For more information on Short Sales, please visit my website, www.doloresgaskell and ask for the Short Sale Report.

Well, the year is nearing the end. Politics are headlining everywhere and Michigan is still sliding in property values.  The last six houses I have sold have all been bank owned properties.  Home owners need help and the Hope for Homeowners program may be just what this economy needs to stop all the foreclosures. If you haven't heard of it go to fha.gov and look up the H4H (Hope for Homeowners).  Tell your clients who are getting into trouble about the program.  You just may be their hero.  Maybe if we can get the foreclosures to slow down, private owners may have a better chance in selling their property even if it is a short sale.  Contact me (or your local FHA approved lender) if you would like more info. I also put a page on my webstie dedicated to H4H.

It's been an interesting ride in the real estate industry for the past few years. And as 2007 ends I look eagerly forward to an even stronger 2008. Good news is that sales for Chesterfield Township has picked up and there was an upswing in sale prices as well. Even better is that the number of new listings have dropped off. While the November statistics are encouraging we still need to realize that overall the market is still on the buyer's side. What a great time to jump into buying real estate for a long term investment and wealth building opportunity! Any savvy investor can do very well right now...and it's my opinion that real estate will always perform better that most stocks. If you haven't considered buying real estate lately, I think the time of opportunity is now!

Although listing and selling homes remains my primary business, my staging company is getting noticed. I offer my services to homeowners and to real estate agents who have houses that need that "Wow" factor to compete in this Buyers market.

I can provide the homeowner with a written list of items that need attention going through the house room by room. Sometimes a little guidance is all that is needed to get a home sold. Go to my website and get my free home staging book, "450 Ideas to Help Sell Your Home".  It is a 50 page book that you will receive via email.  Go to http://www.doloresgaskell to get your copy e-mailed to you today!

Also, I will give the homeowner tips on rearranging their furniture and belongings so the home shows better. Further services includes helping the homeowner shop for and purchase items and/or accessories that will compliment the rooms and then stage the house.

Please contact me 586-438-3038 with any questions you may have about Staging your Home to Sell, or to schedule a consultation. 

Dolores Gaskell