Some months ago I blogged about saving two birds from an reo property that were left for dead.  a Reuters reporter, Elaine Porterfield, picked up the story and called me for a phone interview.  That was that I didnt think much about it again until on December 5th my mother called me to say that her neighbor just said he was watching Rush Limbaugh on TV, and he mentioned my name in connection with a Reuters story about foreclosures and birds.  Then an email and more calls.

The story has made it all the way to the U.K. and Quatar, which blows my mind.  To all of those who have sent me emails of thanks, thank you, I am glad I could have helped.

I just dont understand why people leave their pets.  Shelters are out there. Remember if you have a pet and have to vacate your home please bring the pet to a shelter.

I have attached a link to the story article below and again thanks to all of you who said thank you!

www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4B45NQ20081205

This lovely never lived in home sits on 10 acres in the heart of hunt country.  Rhinebeck Schools and a commuters dream as it is very close to the Taconic Parkway.  This home has mountain views, a gourmet kitchen, fireplace, master bedroom suite, hardwood floors, intercom and alarm system.  This home is very close to move in condition.  Email me for a private showing.  Jeff@247reorealty.com

Be on the lookout a 1978 Corvette Stingray  was stolen right out of one of my reo's!  There one day gone the next!  Not being a motorhead my wife was the one who told me that someone just stole a car worth 20k maybe more as this model is a "classic".

I or course call the State Police and reported the theft.  The police didnt know what to do because the car did not belong to me or my client.  I was advised that under the current law, no crime had occurred, but because of the value they would take the report and would investigate the matter. 

The funniest part of the whole thing was the officers disbelieft that I walked into a home saw the car, took photos of the car, reported it to my client, but never ever attempted to find out the owner.  He was just shocked that I didn't care who's car it was.

I explained to him that this year i have come across 3 cars, 1 boat, 1 piano, two brand new pool tables, and 1 brand new hot tub.  All we abandoned.  Not to mention that on a daily basis I rekey some home that is full of personal belongings which end up in the dumpster.  I have become rather immune to caring about why someone doesn't take their property.

To date this is the highest dollar value item that has been stolen.  Can anyone beat this, I would be interested to know.

Run, dont jog!, Run like your life depended on it for this split level home just minutes from the Taconic Parkway, a quick commute everywhere!  The home needs work, but this is your chance to get in at almost 50% off!  Neighboring homes sell for 330k plus!  If you want this home email me immediately with your prequalification letter and proof of funds if cash!  The early bird will get the worm! 

24/7 Realty Inc, 845-229-1300 email is best Jeff@247reorealty.com or fax your documents to 8455171660.

Buyers agents please follow the instructions on the mls sheet.  If you are not a member of the midhudson mls this office is not offering cooperation.

It seems that another blog needs to be written about the REO offer and just how to submit one, at least to my office.

1) I only work weekends for my clients and rarely will return a call from a buyers agent unless is an access or emergency issue.

2) Banks are closed on weekends and holidays so if you submit an offer on Friday after the close of business do not call me saturday at 10am asking if there is a response.

3) Sold as is means AS IS .   Dont come back to me after inspections with some junk about this and that, if your clients want out after inspections just say so, because they are not getting a discount.

4) Proof of funds means proof of funds, not half of the funds shown in a bank statement or some letter from a mortgage broker saying you have applied for a mortgage.  Guess what give me those and your offer will be summarily rejected by me without presentation as per my clients "Do not submit offers that do not meet our guidelines"

5) I am not doing the water test even if its required by the seller by some local ordinance, the home is sold AS IS.

6) Fail to return the sellers addendums in a timely manner and poof your clients accepted offer will blow up.

7) Dont ask me which bank is the seller, it s not a requirement, but if you do find out and call them rest assured I will file an ethics complaint.

8) Dont ask me whats wrong with the home!  I work for the seller and unless its a material defect required by law to disclose, my lips are sealed.

9) If you submit some lowball crazy ass offer that somehow is accepted do not get upset if an offer comes in after you have signed contracts and your offer get cancelled.  REO sellers have the absolute right to cancel at any time.  Its in the contract and addendums.

10) Play nice the REO listing agent.  The listing brokers recommendation goes along way towards picking a winner if there is a bidding war.  I have had am's call me on more than one occassion and ask me who was easier to deal with when there is a tie. 

Now my rant is done after going through 5 offers and only 1 was sent correctly.

To submit an offer that will get a response, buyers agents need to follow the instructions listed on the mls.  If there are none, this is the generic list.

A valid offer must have everything in the standard offer sheet and be accompanied by proof of funds or a pre qual, or both, and a copy of an earnest money check PAYABLE TO LISTING BROKER.

In a nutshell nothing else is needed, but if buyers agents keep failing to show EM or show EM that not payable to the listing broker, your offer is going to get rejected.

Last Wednesday was a monkey wrench day for me.  While doing my occupancy checks I found one that had gone vacant.  The power was off, the lawn had not been cut the trash was not taken out, the doors were open.  To be sure I went to the neighbors who verified the vacancy.

The garage door was unlocked so my assistant and I went in, the house was a mess, then we heard a noise.  Birds the occupants had left two pet birds behind.  The police humane officer refuses to assist because it was not a dog or cat, the SPCA was closed, this day.  What to do?

I am far from an animal lover but what to do with two birds left for dead?  Luckily a local bird store agreed to take the birds in and care for them so I placed the birds in their cages, that had mounds of feces 6-7 inches in height in my car and took the birds to the bird store.

Later that night my cell phone began to ring, I did not pickup for whatever reason.  When I listened to the message it was the property owner upset with me for trespassing as they had not vacated.  I called back and asked how they were living there with no food, no furniture, not hot water, and no electric.  Of course I got a smart answer of we only sleep here, nothing else and don't come back your trespassing.

I think the man's tone set me off as I went into a rant about occupancy and property abandonment and the lenders right under state law and the mortgage agreeement to protect its interests in the property if needed.  I then proceeded to advise the former owner that if he pushed the matter crimnal charges would be placed against him for the treatment of his birds which was well documented by myself and the local bird expert.

If you are someone losing your home to foreclosure, your pets need not suffer along with you.  Please bring your pets to the local SPCA or humane society!

It has been sometime since my last blog, I think it was early March or so.  Since then I have literally been working 12-16 hour days between managing foreclosures and managing my life as a father of 4 not one older than 9.  Sleep has not been in my vocabulary, its been all about feeding those children.  Well I guess my hard work paid off because last week I spent a little under an hour being interviewed by a reporter from the associated press.  Late Friday night I received an email that I had been quoted in the AP Newswire.  The article was picked up by Cnnmoney.com Forbes.com, Businessweek.com, CBS.com, Foxnews.com and various print newspapers across the country.  To me this is an honor, however so small.

Here is a link to the article.  A few others from AR were also quoted. 

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iY7tii9ZwSxT1kh0eE7Ap-uIxgyQD914RDF00

www.dolfinger.com

Imagine a 2 family in a nice small town near everything for $160000.00.  Yes it needs some work but its not a dump by far.  Over 1 acre, has central air, no freeze damage and plenty of parking.  5 minutes to Kingston, NY, 15 to Poughkeepsie, a real steal.  Investors run don't walk.

The price says it all.  A perfect starter home with no water damage, adjacent to a public golf course and close to all of the colleges.  Make an offer move in by the end of the month!  I have been directed to sell this home fast!!  2 beds 1 bath perfect for that small family looking for true affordability.

A major price reduction bank says sell this home now!!!  I would bet that this home has never been lived in!!!  5 mintues to Metro Norths 10 Mile River Station, 45 minutes to White Plains, NY!!! 2700 Square feet plus a bonus room over the 2 car detatched garage.  The home does need some work but what a steal!  www.247REOREALTY.com