wendy rulnick: Destin Florida Short Sale Agent in Kiplinger Magazine - 01/04/12 09:12 AM

I was flattered to have been recently interviewed by Kiplinger Magazine regarding the state of short sales.  The story, "Escape the Debt Trap" is in the February edition of the magazine.  It highlighted one of my Destin Florida real estate client's experiences in short sales of her properties in Destin and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  Angela Angelovic hired me to help her "short sale" three houses over the last few years, two investment properties and a primary residence.  She is now on her way to rebuilding her financial life, feeling "relieved." The Kiplinger article emphasized that one-fifth of U.S. homeowners … (6 comments)

wendy rulnick: Suntrust Approves Ariel Dunes Condo for Short Sale - Destin FL - 08/10/09 09:29 AM

 
This Ariel Dunes condo, in Destin Florida, has been approved for a short sale.Lender:  SuntrustMortgage Balance:  appr $380,000Contract Price:  appr $225,000Terms:  Fannie Mae asked seller for promissory note for $8000 to pay past due HOA fees for $100 month for 80 months.  Seller instead offered $6000 cash contribution.  Fannie Mae agreed.To avoid foreclosure and sell your Ariel Dunes or any Destin condo as a short sale, contact an experienced real estate agent who specializes in short sales. It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Destin FL Real Estate
Destin Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read Wendy's Real Estate … (3 comments)

wendy rulnick: GMAC Approves Niceville Florida Short Sale - 08/07/09 09:38 AM

This waterfront townhome was approved for a short sale in Niceville Florida. 
Hardship:   Death of breadwinnerSenior Lien:   GMAC balance $220,000
Junior Lien:   USAA balance $148,000
Sale Price:   $219,000
Cash Contribution: $2,500 to GMAC and $13,000 to USAA negotiated down from $44,000
Total Cancelled Debt: $135,000
To avoid foreclosure and sell your Niceville real estate as a short sale, contact an experienced real estate agent who specializes in short sales.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Niceville FL Real Estate
Niceville Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read Wendy's Real Estate Blog
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
(14 comments)

wendy rulnick: 242 Sweetwater Run, Swift Creek, Niceville Florida - Short Sale - 08/04/09 01:45 AM

Welcome to Swift Creek, one of Niceville Florida's "nicest" communities.  Striking nature, tall trees, phenomenal homes entice you.  Swift Creek has parks, playgrounds, stocked ponds, fishing pier and nature trails.  There is a 3.7 mile walking/jogging course tor your enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings here. The community center has children's play area, picnic tables, tropical bar, living room and kitchen for your parties.  Swift Creek has a neighborhood pool with outdoor kitchen, tennis courts and basketball half-court.
This gorgeous custom home at 242 Sweetwater Run has luxurious touches throughout. The entry is a "wow" with gleaming wood stairway, formal living and dining room. Kitchen opens to great room … (7 comments)

wendy rulnick: "Others Can Learn From You" - 07/29/09 04:18 AM
 I recently had a short sale approval for a home in Niceville, Florida.  The long and torturous process was with Bank of America.  This one took four months, although it was approved just prior to that for another buyer who did not close.  All the while, the buyer’s agent, Jimmy, was a consummate professional.  Prior to writing the offer he requested the exact terms the seller was looking for.  His buyer obliged by submitting a contract with the right title agent, earnest money deposit and timeline.  The buyer loved the house and was willing to wait. Each Friday throughout the process, Jimmy would … (14 comments)

wendy rulnick: 217 Kono Way, Villages of Crystal Beach, Destin FL - Short Sale - 07/28/09 01:54 AM
 

217 Kono Way, Destin Florida
Come see this elegant short sale home in the Villages of Crystal Beach. Located in Destin, Florida, this new community has luxurious pool, grounds, landscaping. Just a few minute walk to Destin beaches, Destin Commons, Rave Cinema.  Four bedrooms, three full baths and fully furnished.  Short sale subject to seller's mortgage holder's approval.  Offered at $419,700.

Search all Emerald Coast and Destin Foreclosures and Short Sales
Learn all about Short Sales and Avoiding Foreclosure
It's Wendy
Wendy Rulnick, Broker/Owner, Rulnick Realty, Inc., Destin, FL
Call toll free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
email … (6 comments)

wendy rulnick: 221 Kono Way, Villages of Crystal Beach, Destin Florida - Short Sale - 07/28/09 01:38 AM
                        
  

221 Kono Way, Destin, Florida 32541
Lovely four bedroom. three bath short sale home in the Villages of Crystal Beach. Located in Destin Florida, this is a 3 minute walk to the beach at the Gulf of Mexico.  Also, three minutes to Destin Commons, Rave Cinema! Villages of Crystal Beach has a pool and spa, waterfalls and fanciful landscaping. Sold luxuriously furnished and rental ready!  The short sale lender says approval will be within days, not months, pre-approved seller. 
Offered at $417,900

Search all Emerald Coast and Destin Foreclosures and Short Sales
Learn all about Short Sales … (4 comments)

wendy rulnick: Suntrust Approves Short Sale on Niceville Florida Home - 07/27/09 10:57 AM

This home  at 1694 Valparaiso Blvd., in the Pinecrest subdvision in Niceville Florida, has just been approved for short sale!Lender:  Suntrust - both first and second mortgageServicer: First American Loss Mitigation ServicesLoan Type: Fannie MaeHardship:  Job Loss1st Mortgage Balance:  $192,0002nd Mortgage Balance:  $40,000List Price: $149,000Cancelled Debt:  appr $83,000Time for approval:  75 daysTo avoid foreclosure and sell your Niceville real estate as a short sale, contact an experienced real estate agent who specializes in short sales. It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Niceville FL Real Estate
Niceville Short Sales & Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read Wendy's Real Estate Blog
Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY … (6 comments)

wendy rulnick: 209 Bent Arrow Dr., Indian Oaks - Destin Florida Short Sale - 07/22/09 01:07 AM
 

This central Destin home in the Indian Oaks subdivision is a show-off! Bright, clean and surprisingly spacious! Living room with fireplace and cathedral ceiling. White kitchen with tile floors and pass-through. Oversized master bedroom. Fenced back yard with patio. Bent Arrow and Indian Oaks are three minutes from Destin Harbor, Harborwalk Village, the luckiest fishing in the world, the Gulf of Mexico and Crab Island.  What more could you want? Short sale subject to seller's mortgage holder's approval.  Offered at $127,900.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR     Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Destin FL Real Estate
Destin Short … (1 comments)

wendy rulnick: Beware: Bank of America Now Wants Your Retirement Account - 07/15/09 12:23 PM

 
Do you think your 401K is safe? Attorneys have told me in the past that short sale lenders won’t touch your retirement money.   Guess what?  FALSE! Today a Bank of America negotiator asked me to have my seller liquidate HALF his retirement account to get his short sale approved.
The seller has a $400,000 loss on a property in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.   We have been in the short sale process for four months.  Today the negotiator said the file will not be approved unless he liquidates half his IRA for a $70,000 contribution.   She said he has “some” income, although … (23 comments)

wendy rulnick: Westwinds - Sandestin Short Sale Approved - 07/14/09 01:53 AM

Sandestin Florida - Short Sale Approved!

This 9th floor unit in the gulf-front Westwinds condo in gated Sandestin was just approved for short sale.  Soothing jewel-like colors. Granite breakfast bar, inlaid tile backsplash, recessed lighting. Plush furnishings. Tile flooring. Gorgeous sights of beach, grounds, pool. Westwinds is on the south side of Hwy 98, with gulf-front amenities, restaurants, work-out facilities and shopping.
Sandestin in well-know for its Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay setting, Village of Baytowne Wharf and extravagant landscaping.  Just five minutes away are more Destin Florida attractions- Grande Boulevard, Destin Commons and of course, Gulf of … (2 comments)

wendy rulnick: New Florida Real Estate Contract: How Will It Affect Buyers and Sellers? - 07/08/09 06:42 AM

 
The Florida Association of Realtors uses two different versions of the purchase and sale agreement.  One is called " FAR  (Florida Association of Realtors)" the other " FAR BAR" (Florida Bar Association).  In different parts of the state, real estate agent communities have their own customs as to which version they use.  In my Destin FL area, for example, the FAR contract is more common.  But a few towns over, in Pensacola, the FAR BAR is prevalent.  Now the Florida Association of Realtors is proposing to combine both contracts and make further changes.  The decision whether to proceed with … (16 comments)

wendy rulnick: Can You Find What Is WRONG With This Short Sale Story? - 07/05/09 03:10 AM
    One of my agents wrote an offer on a short sale last week in Destin Florida.   She is quite experienced, never complains, but came to talk to me about the situation.  Here is a recap:1.  Two days after forwarding her offer, the listing agent said he had not yet presented it to the seller.2.  The listing agent said the house was already under contract, although the buyer was trying to cancel.   One of the divorced sellers agreed to sign the cancellation, but the other ex-spouse would not. 3.  The listing was still “active” in the MLS, with no mention … (24 comments)

wendy rulnick: 2415 Winter Park, Fort Walton Beach, FL - Short Sale - 07/03/09 08:51 AM
 

 
WOW, check out the yard on this end unit townhome in the Winter Park complex, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This lot is equal or bigger than some single family homes and fenced! New tile, new granite counters in kitchen and master bath, updated fixtures, custom center-isle in kitchen. Brand new HUGE deck for great parties. Upstairs has two balconies, with new wood. New lower roof shingles. Huge master closet. The downstairs has a great open floor plan with a half bath. Upstairs two good sized bedrooms, each with its own balcony. Located in between Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field, and … (4 comments)

wendy rulnick: 5 Tips to Get Your Short Sale Buyer to "Walk" - 07/01/09 12:56 PM

 
Today I was talking with a title agent in my Destin Florida market who handles short sale negotiations for agents.   He lamented that he had two contracts recently fall apart, with buyers walking.
“Why?” I asked.
“ Well, the agents don’t have the seller sign the contract, so it is just an offer.   There is nothing to hold them.”
“Stop doing that!” I told him, “I would never send an ‘offer’ in to a short sale lender.”
 Which brings me to my point- " How can you increase the chances of your buyer “walking” … (67 comments)

wendy rulnick: "I Think I'll Have A Margarita!" - 06/27/09 10:41 AM

 
 
This week I had my all-time record fastest short sale approval.   It took two days. 
Here is what happened:  
Property:  Investment condo  - Fort Walton Beach FL
Seller Hardship:   Loss of Income
Lender:   BB&T
Original Purchase Price:    $640,000
Mortgage Balance:   $550,000
Contract Price:   $380,000
Submitted: 6/22
Approved: 6/24
Conditions: $30,000 promissory note negotiated directly between seller and BB&T
 
The key to this quick approval was both the lender and the package.   Unlike many other lenders, BB&T will start a dialogue directly with the homeowner prior to the short sale listing. … (43 comments)

wendy rulnick: "All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy" - 06/24/09 06:31 AM

 
A few weeks ago my life started to change.   I was asked to step outside my boundaries and outside of my comfort zone.   What happened?  I “met” Bryant Tutas- otherwise known as "Broker Bryant" on Activerain.   You may have heard of him- he’s one of the best-known real estate bloggers around.   His writing is insightful, direct, witty and often very funny.   He’s got quite a following.
Anyway, in the past several months I started to notice Broker Bryant’s comments on my blog posts and others.   I noticed we were “simpatico”, of like-mind, on many topics, notably short … (45 comments)

wendy rulnick: VA Short Sales: "Stuck" With Appraisals for 6 Months! - 06/21/09 05:15 AM
I recently had a short sale contract on one of my listings in  Mary Esther, Florida, where the seller had a VA (Veterans Administration) home loan.  A VA short sale  is called an "Offer in Compromise". The offer price was $120,000, which I thought was reasonable given the condition of the property.  Wells Fargo, the short sale lender, ordered an appraisal.  Not just any appraisal, but a VA appraisal, called a " Notice of Value" or NOV.
The seller's short sale VA appraisal came back at $135,000, much higher than the offer and fair market price, in my opinion.  The buyer backed out … (13 comments)

wendy rulnick: Short Sale Basics. Let the Class Begin!!! - 06/08/09 06:52 AM
I am excited to announce that Broker Bryant and I will be launching a Short Sale Webinar starting June 27 - for all to learn and grow.... Broker Bryant has been sharing his thought-provoking and information-packed blog for years, and he never fails to delight his many followers.  We are teaming up on this project to educate YOU and share our knowledge. Take it away, Bryant!


Hi folks. Did you know I have been giving away free information on Active Rain for three years? Just about everything I know about Real Estate I have shared and have never asked for anything in return. Today, is going … (6 comments)

wendy rulnick: 67 Tranquility La, Destin FL - Destiny East - Short Sale - 05/30/09 03:34 AM
Destiny East - Across from Beach
Reminiscent of an Italian Villa, this luxurious Destin Florida home has expansive porches on three levels, high ceilings and travertine tile. Exterior find ivy-draped walls and pavered drive that greet with a refined air. Private yard with gas grill, outdoor shower, detached two car garage set to rear. Interior is opulent, with columns, fireplace, enormous kitchen, first floor office/den. Each level has its own sitting room and porches. Rinnai hot water heater, central vacuum system. Great views of the lake, walk across the street directly to the Gulf of Mexico. Destiny East has two tennis … (9 comments)

 
Wendy Rulnick, "It's Wendy... It's Sold!" (Rulnick Realty, Inc.)

Wendy Rulnick

"It's Wendy... It's Sold!"

Destin, FL

More about me…

Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Address: 12889 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Ste. 107-A, Destin, FL, 32550

Mobile: 850-259-0422

Author Bio: Wendy Rulnick, Rulnick Realty, Real Estate Broker in Destin Florida and all surrounding towns

The market. Smart sellers. The Emerald Coast of Florida.


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