short sales: Buy Your College Student a House - 07/05/12 08:23 AM
Buy your College Student a House…Save $$$
If your college student is getting ready to live off campus, buying a rental property or condo may be an option worth considering.  Of course, with high rental costs and the opportunity to create a tax shelter for your hard earned money, this is a strategy many parents have found to be beneficial.
An investment property is an excellent opportunity to put your money to work for you, and may even help offset some of the income invested into your child’s education.  However, there are various factors you should consider before making any final … (0 comments)

short sales: Foreclosure Judicial v. Non-judicial - 05/28/12 10:36 AM
I got this question the other day.
"Hey, can you answer this question for me? How are judicial foreclosures slowing the recovery down?” Here is the deal. The housing market has continued to show slow signs that it is strengthening for some states. It all depends on whether or not the state is a non-judicial foreclosure state or a judicial foreclosure state. Let’s briefly go over what the difference between a judicial and a non-judicial state. A judicial foreclosure state is one in which the lender has to go through the court system to pursue a foreclosure. In a non-judicial foreclosure, … (0 comments)

short sales: Transactional Funding and Agents - 03/07/11 03:48 PM
Transactional Funding and Agents Transactional funding is a fabulous tool when properly used but many novice investors are surprised to find their real estate agent resistant to the very concept. Upon closer questioning, it's not because of a bad experience much less any type of legal restrictions but rather confusion or even outright ignorance of the very existence of such a mechanism. The reality is that most agents and brokers never encounter transactional funding and are even less informed than most novice investors. Unless you have the good fortune to find an agent that has worked with someone who has used transactional funding … (0 comments)

short sales: Who buys Starter Homes? - 02/24/11 07:21 AM
Who buys Starter Homes?
Only a few short years ago starter homes were scorned by all but the most impoverished home buyer. Why purchase a property in need of improvements when it was possible to buy a sparkling new McMansion with no money down instead? Today all that has changed as investors and first-time buyers, retirees and former homeowners in search of more financial security all compete for affordable dwellings without the high carrying cost.
In fact, starter homes are among the most highly sought after types of real estate on the market today. A recent nationwide survey indicates some major … (0 comments)

short sales: How to Sell a Home in 7 Days (Humble TX) - 02/22/11 03:04 AM
"How To Sell Your Home In 7 Days!"
Selling A House Isn't So Easy Anymore ... in Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita, or Houston, TX
It wasn't that long ago when you could put a for sale sign out on your front lawn, and Bing!, you had a firm offer, which closed a short while later making you a tidy profit in the process.
Well, the real estate market has changed.
Yes, our economy is healthy now, but homes aren't appreciating they way they were when the market was at its peak. And buyers are far more discriminating nowadays. So you can't afford … (0 comments)

short sales: Do Tenants Have Rights in Short Sales - 02/15/11 04:58 AM
Do Tenants Have Protection in Short Sales
Question: I have rented a house for several years. The current owner told me that he is going through foreclosure. He says that he is about to conclude an agreement to allow a "short sale" of the property, which I understand allows the house to be sold for less than the amount of the mortgage. I thought there were special protections for tenants who are caught up in foreclosures. Are there any special protections for me if there is a short sale?
Answer: There is a federal law, the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, … (2 comments)

short sales: Culvating Relationships that Matter In Humble, TX Real Estate - 01/15/11 04:44 PM
Cultivating Relationships that Matter in Humble TX Real Estate When it comes to investing in short sales or simply conducting business in everyday situations it's more important than ever to build strong, effective and reliable relationships that won't let you down. If you are new to short sales it is even more important to understand how to navigate these "people problems" to avoid problems and set the stage for profits. Learn how to begin cultivating relationships that matter with these quick tips below: Tap into a Team. You have heard about teamwork for years but have you ever really put it to use … (2 comments)

short sales: Mortgage Monikers (Humble, Tx) - 12/23/10 11:25 AM
Mortgage Monikers (First blogged by Chris McLaughlin) As lending experts attempt to redefine today's borrowers, the need for new monikers within the mortgage market has resulted in a few less than flattering client categories. Keep reading to find out how the banks really view prospective clients and how real estate pro's can use this information on behalf of homeowners and prospective buyers. Distressed Homeowners - These borrowers are simply broke. Not only are they underwater on a mortgage they cannot afford but they are often deep in debt with credit cards, car loans and even educational expenses. The likelihood of repayment is slim … (0 comments)

short sales: Short Sales or Muni Bonds? - 12/23/10 11:21 AM
What's Better - Short Sales or Muni Bonds?
Blog by Chris McLaughlin ShortSaleRichesOnce considered the darling among investors, muni bonds have enjoyed an ongoing level of popularity among those searching for above average returns, tax advantages and a "safe" investment. However that is changing. As state and local governments across the nation continue to cut payrolls, reduce benefits and increase taxes many investors are wondering if muni's are the safe haven they have been led to believe. Today we are going to take a look at short sales versus muni bonds to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each … (3 comments)

short sales: Keys to Running a Smooth Humble TX Short Sale Business - 12/15/10 07:49 AM
Keys to Running a Smooth Short Sale Business
This topic may be covered in many books, tapes and seminars, but nothing completely prepares you for setting up and operating a short sale business until you actually do it. Or know someone else who already done it. From my personal experience running such a business, I would like to share a few key pieces to have in place for a smooth-running short sale business.
1.   Get your marketing in place. Create your marketing materials, then get them automated to sell your services-whether for an Investor or distressed homeowner. Use such systems as … (0 comments)

short sales: Advising Investors on Short Sales v. REO's - 12/14/10 08:19 AM
Advising Investors on Short Sales v REO's
Property deals abound right now for real estate investors. However, knowing the ins and outs may keep both you and your investors from being surprised by things like hidden fees (penalties, unpaid taxes, etc.) as your property sale moves through the closing process.
REO or bank-owned properties have completed the foreclosure process and may be in worse condition than a short sale property. While they often close faster than a short sale, lenders are sometimes not willing to negotiate the price down very much. Even worse, the generally out-of-state bank is sometimes out of … (0 comments)

short sales: Fannies Five Predictions for 2011 (Humble, TX) - 12/13/10 02:46 PM
Fannies Five Predictions for 2011 Do you wonder what Fannie and Freddie think the new year has in store? Although their track record of success isn't exactly impressive, real estate agents and investors alike should still take notice when Freddie decides to make a prognostication if for no other reason than to understand the mindset at work among clients and the media at large. Analysts for the big duo point to five key predictions they believe will drive real estate during 2011.  1. Continuation of low interest rates. Although interest rates saw a dramatic increase last week, Freddie analysts predict a continuation … (4 comments)

short sales: Do You Meet the BPO Agent on Your Short Sales (humble,TX) - 12/13/10 09:28 AM
Do You Meet the BPO Agent?
There are a lot Realtors and agent's knee deep in short sales. Are you one?  Do you meet the BPO agent at the property? If your answer is "no, not unless I have to" response. Why?
A simple transition of meeting and speaking with the BPO agent could lead to more closed sales, better recognition in your short sale field, and enhanced specific knowledge, associated with truly knowing what you're talking about.
Accomplish the following (after receiving a reasonable contract of sale):1.    If the property is being marketed on a lockbox (vacant or non-vacant): Change … (0 comments)

short sales: The Strangest Secret and Short Sales Success - 12/06/10 01:29 PM
The Strangest Secret & Short Sales Success
In 1956 a young radio broadcaster by the name of Earl Nightingale wrote and recorded a message which became known as "The Strangest Secret". It quickly went on to sell millions of copies without advertising and limited marketing. Today, more than 50 years later, Nightingales secret remains a top seller in the personal development market and has earned the distinction of becoming the largest selling non-entertainment recording in the industry. 
Obviously Nightingale's secret was more than mere hype; it has withstood the test of time and become the foundation of an entire information empire … (6 comments)

short sales: Is Real Estate (Humble, TX) Better than Social Security - 11/29/10 03:05 PM
Is Real Estate better than Social Security? (Humble, TX)
Real Cost of Social Security Cuts versus Real Estate Reductions Investors on a fixed income or those thinking about retiring within the next few years are facing some of the most difficult decisions in decades; keep working as long as possible in order to build a better nest egg or try to "make do" and hope against all odds that your money holds out. It's not a simple choice especially with the dual threats of low interest rates combined with Social Security cuts. In fact, what may initially seem like minor modifications in … (0 comments)

short sales: Realtors are YOU Prospecting? - 11/24/10 02:59 PM
Realtors are YOU Prospecting?
Agents, if you want to make it in real estate in this market or any market, you simply MUST be prospecting on a daily basis.
What is prospecting?  It is picking up the phone to make a living.
To go a little deeper, Prospecting is reaching out to people to create a connection that could become a lead that in turn could become a sale.  The sales funnel starts with prospecting touches.  The better you get at prospecting, referral requests, and follow-up, the less people you will have to touch per sale.  This is a simple concept.  … (12 comments)

short sales: New FTC Rules for MARS - 11/23/10 03:17 PM
New FTC Rules Issued on Mortgage Assistance Relief
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule. It's designed to protect distressed homeowners from mortgage relief scams that have become all too common. The rule, which takes effect January 31, 2011, bans providers of both foreclosure rescue and loan modification services from collecting fees until the distressed homeowner has a written offer from their loan servicer or lender that they decide to accept.
"At a time when many Americans are struggling to pay their mortgages, peddlers of so-called mortgage relief services have taken hundreds of millions … (2 comments)

short sales: Short Sale Price Decline - 11/23/10 03:14 PM
Short Sale Price Decline
For those of you handling buyers of short sales or who have real estate investors interested in short sales, it looks like Thanksgiving has come a little early for you.
All the recent foreclosure paperwork problems (with the big banks being found out about using robo-signers) are causing some shoppers to stay away from distressed properties. This means more opportunity for you and your investors.
Campbell Surveys' conducts a monthly study of home sales and real estate market conditions and its October survey was answered by more than 3,000 real estate agents nationwide.
These servicing issues disrupted … (4 comments)

short sales: Guide to Short Sale Leads from Wal-Mart Girl - 11/23/10 03:08 PM
Guide to Short Sale Leads from the Wal-Mart Girl
I call her the Wal-Mart Girl because that's where she can be found every Friday from about 3 to 5 p.m. She has been a Realtor in the Wichita, Kansas area for some time now and is the daughter of one of greatest icons in real estate I have ever known, whom will remain anonymous for this story.
One day, the Wal-Mart Girl said to me, "Come on, let's go shopping for groceries." I thought to myself, "Hmmm, some Realtor. We are supposed to be marketing for short sale leads and she … (8 comments)

short sales: Short Sales Realtors and Investors - The Truth Hurts - 11/08/10 04:54 PM
Short Sales Realtors and Investors When the Truth Hurts Hopefully you will be among those that have made the most of the year by taking advantage of historically low interest rates and incredible investment opportunities. But what about the rest of you? Statistically speaking, there are a lot of readers who sit on the sidelines waiting for the "right" time to take action...but somehow, they never quite seem to get around to it. Or perhaps you are somewhere in the middle; you started off strong but seem to be losing momentum. Whatever the reason, it's time to tell yourself the truth.  Sometimes the … (3 comments)