Kirk's Blog

Beautiful 4 Bedroom BASEMENT Home for Sale in Greenville, SC

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:16:59 -0700

$229,900 , 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half baths, 2,565 square feet

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS | Van West Realty | (864) 451-2402

104 Fire Island Way, Greenville, SC

Beautiful BASEMENT home for sale, zoned for Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle and Mauldin High schools! Close to 385 FWY

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

offered at $229,900

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	2,565
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.21 acres
HOA/Maint	$29 per month

DESCRIPTION

Call Kirk Westervelt at Van West Realty for more information on this wonderful home: 864-451-2402. Wow! This beautiful basement home in the Summerfield subdivision has it all! Formal living and dining rooms, spacious great room, beautiful kitchen with island and tile backsplash, office/den, rear deck, washer/dryer room upstairs, huge master bedroom with sitting area and a huge walk-in closet. Walk-out basement leads to fully fenced yard! Exceptional lot location backs up to a tree-lined common area. This beautiful basement home is move-in ready and features newer carpet, newer paint and a newer microwave! Zoned for Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle and Mauldin High schools! Close to freeway access and only minutes to all of the shopping and restaurants on Woodruff Rd! Fantastic Summerfield subdivision features a pool, play structure, basketball court, common areas and a unique topography with subtle hills and winding streets! Come see this beautiful home today!

Greenville

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Attic	- Basement	- Bonus/Rec room
- Dining room	- Family room	- Laundry room
- Living room	- Master bath	- Office/Den
- Pantry	- Storage space	- Walk-in closet
- Dishwasher	- Garbage disposal	- Microwave
- Stainless steel appliances	- Stove/Oven	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Fenced yard	- Lawn	- Porch
- Yard	- Air conditioning	- Ceiling fans
- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Double pane windows
- Cable-ready	- Security system	- Garage - Attached
- Fireplace	- Hardwood floor	- High/Vaulted ceiling

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Basketball court

- Playground

- Swimming pool

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Call Kirk at Van West Realty for more information: 864-451-2402

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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Contact info:

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS

Van West Realty

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Posted: May 2, 2013, 11:39am PDT

Short Sale, Pre-Foreclosure, Home for Sale Greenville, Simpsonville SC

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:09:23 -0800

Hot opportunities...

Short sale homes for sale in Greenville, Simpsonville, Taylors, SC!

Check these out and call Kirk Westervelt for information! (864) 451-2402

13 Kimberly Lane, Taylors, SC. 4 Bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms. $127,500.

115 Delmar Ave, Simpsonville, SC. 4 Bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms. $78,533.

315 Hunslet Way, Simpsonville, SC. 4 Bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms. $144,900.

220 Heathermoor Way, Simpsonville, SC. 3 Bedroom, 2 bathrooms. $125,000.

105 Grassland Way, Fountain Inn, SC. 4 bedroom, 2 bathrooms. $119,000.

20 Old Standing Springs, Greenville, SC. 3 Bedroom, 2 bathrooms. $109,000.

2760 Standing Springs Rd, Simpsonville, SC. 5 Bedrooms, bonus room, home office, formal dining room, great room, 4 acres, salt water pool. Simpsonville, SC, $329,000.

For more information on any of these properties, please call me today! If you'd like to see any of these properties, please don't hesitate to call me!

Thanks so much!

Kirk Westervelt

Founder, Broker In Charge, Van West Realty.

864-451-2402.

Home for sale; 207 Walnut Trace Ct, Simpsonville, SC 29681, River Walk

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:55:43 -0800

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS | Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central | (864) 451-2402

207 Walnut Trace Ct, Simpsonville, SC

Absolutely gorgeous and spacious home for sale in the highly desirable River Walk subdivision in Simpsonville, SC

5BR/3+1BA Single Family House

offered at $469,000

Year Built	1999
Sq Footage	4,375
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.48 acres
HOA/Maint	$46 per month

DESCRIPTION

This elegant home in the prestigious, highly desirable River Walk subdivision in Simpsonville has it all! This beautiful home is a must see! Spacious rooms are plentiful in this fine home! The heart of the home has a large great room and features a stone fireplace with built-in bookshelves. Ample windows in the great
room look out to the lush backyard and the large screened porch. An open floor plan welcomes you into the kitchen, eat-in kitchen and sun room areas, which are exceptional for entertaining or relaxing. Enjoy relaxing in the sun room with a high, vaulted ceiling and ceiling fan, or move out to the large screened porch
and listen the wind blowing through the mature trees in the large backyard! The large yard features a play set, a custom built patio area with a swing, a fire pit, and a spectacular Koi Pond with a babbling waterfall! The formal dining room is spacious and features gorgeous hardwood floors and ample sunlight from
the large windows overlooking the front porch. The formal living room is cozy, features rich hardwoods and a built-in bookshelf and desk area. The master bedroom is on the main floor and features a sitting area with bay windows and access to the large screened porch. The master bathroom is gorgeous, and features a jetted garden tub, dual vanities and dual walk-in closets. Four additional bedrooms upstairs are all quite spacious. The large bonus room upstairs
offers an exceptional retreat for games, movies, hobbies and video game enjoyment! This home is zoned for the brand new Monarch elementary school, and the highly desirable Mauldin middle and Mauldin high schools. River Walk is one of the most desirable and highly sought after subdivisions in all of Simpsonville, SC! Enjoy the club house, large pool with diving boards, tennis courts, playground, fitness room or take a stroll through the spectacular walking trails in the community! This fine home is conveniently located and only minutes away from the 385 freeway, Woodruff Rd, Five Forks at Woodruff Rd, Main St and downtown Simpsonville and endless shops & restaurants. Don't wait! Come see this beautiful home today! Welcome home!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Bonus/Rec room	- Dining room	- Family room
- Laundry room	- Living room	- Master bath
- Sun room	- Walk-in closet	- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal	- Microwave	- Stove/Oven
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Fenced yard	- Lawn
- Pond	- Porch	- Sprinkler system
- Yard	- Air conditioning	- Ceiling fans
- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Double pane windows
- Cable-ready	- Garage - Attached	- Fireplace
- Granite countertop	- Hardwood floor	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Jetted tub	- Tile floor

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Clubhouse	- Fitness center	- Playground
- Swimming pool	- Tennis court

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 24 Hour Toll Free Recorded Info: (877) 597-3557, Ext. 541

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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Contact info:

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Posted: Nov 19, 2012, 9:13am PST

Vendor Spotlight: Greenville, SC Carpet Cleaning Service, D&D Cleaning

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:45:05 -0700

I came across an amazing local company the other day; "D&D Carpet Cleaning".

D&D Carpet Cleaning provides an exceptional level of services, including both residential and commercial carpet cleaning, stripping and waxing, upholstery cleaning and even janitorial level cleaning services.

D&D Carpet Cleaning covers the Greater Greenville and Upstate SC region, including Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Greer, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Anderson, Easley and many other surrounding areas.

For exceptional carpet cleaning services and competitive rates, give D&D Carpet Cleaning a call and be sure to let them know you found them through Kirk Westervelt and Active Rain!

Give Richard Donald a call, at: (864) 757-4859.

Check them out at: www.dndcleaningonline.com

Real Estate Slower in the Winter Months? It May be Your Choice!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:16:11 -0700

Every year I hear some of my fellow real estate agents speak in a matter-of-fact tone and profess that their business is "just dead in the slower fall and winter months!". Really?

It seems to me that if the majority of real estate agents think this way, or accept this as an inevitable fact that they cannot change, then there is a significant opportunity in the marketplace for those willing to plan for growth and act on their plan!

There is simply no reason at all that an ambitious person cannot work harder, stay focused and plan for growth in their business during the fall and winter months. First of all, you'll most certainly pick up new buyer and seller clients from your efforts. Secondly, you'll be planting the seeds worth following up with by the time the early spring season gets busy!

I believe that those real estate sales agents who embrace this mentality will be pleasantly surprised at how much they can grow their client base and business at a time when most of their competition is simply "hibernating" for the winter!

Greenville, SC, Oney's Lawn Care & Landscaping Service-Season Specials

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:28:58 -0700

Greenville, SC vendor spotlight:

Local Greenville, SC entrepreneur launches Oney's Lawn Care service and does an exceptional job!

After hearing many neighbors raving about Jimmy Oney's work ethic, flexible schedule and thoughtful attention to detail, I had to give him a shot at earning my business. Jimmy did a phenominal job on our large lot, and he paid special attention to being careful around my wife's award-winning flower beds!

I highly recommend Jimmy Oney and his business, Oney's Lawn Care, Professional Lawn Care Service.

Jimmy can be reached at: (615) 962-4399

(Don't let the 615 number confuse you...he lives and works in the Simpsonville, Greenville, Mauldin areas and he services the Greater Greenville territory).

Here's an incentive for you: Call Jimmy and tell him that Kirk Westervelt of Keller Williams Realty sent you, and you'll receive $10 off your first lawn service with him!

If you live in the Greenville, SC area, give Jimmy Oney a shot! You'll be pleased with the results!

Is it really a "buyer's market"? Or a "seller's market"?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:31:15 -0700

After years in this business I can't help but reflect on a common theme I hear from buyers, sellers and my esteemed colleagues. The concept and often used terminology of "it's a buyer's market", or "it's a seller's market".

Sales managers love to pump up their real estate salespeople by encouraging them that there is no such thing as a good or a bad marketplace....it's either a buyer's or a seller's market, plain and simple. "Now go out there and sell, sell, sell! Server your clients with this wonderful knowledge! It's a buyer's market! Fight for your buyers!"

I feel compelled to throw a monkey wrench into the gears of this simplistic view of the real estate marketplace.

I believe it is a disservice to our clients to fill their heads with this simplistic viewpoint and pump them up to believing they will get the deal of a lifetime, and they should start with low ball offers simply because it is a "buyer's market". We all want our buyer clients to obtain a favorable deal, get some closing costs, some repairs and maybe even a home warranty in a "buyer's market". However, I believe that after we review the comps and educate our clients regarding the current fair market value, and consult with our clients regarding an intelligent initial offer to purchase, it is wise to embrace a mindset as follows:

Rather than fixate on whether it is a buyer's market or a seller's market, I believe there is a "buyer's motivation to buy" and a "seller's motivation to sell". Beyond that, assuming two parties come to an agreement, the purchase price can be subject to an appraised valuation (especially if a mortgage loan is involved).

I have had a number of listing clients over the years who would like to sell, but they don't "have to" sell. Likewise, they have no intention of giving their home away to someone who presents low-ball offers, who may be suffering from "buyer's market fever".

I've seen quite a few potential deals go nowhere fast, because the buyer's agent says "well, my clients won't overpay in a buyer's market!". I fear this mentality is harmful to the process at hand. If your buyer clients love, adore and must have a particular home because it is perfect for them, and if the seller's motivation to sell is not at all based upon desperation, and if both sides agree to a reasonable and fair price (which is subject to an appraisal), then what is the problem here?

We can best serve our clients if we take the time to first understand their wants, needs & objectives, and then make an honest effort to understand their true motivation to buy, or their true motivation to sell. By doing this, we can help to manage their expectations, and even our own expectations!

Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home for Sale in Greenville, SC in Summerfield Subdivision! 105 Tanner Chase Way. Zoned for Bethel, Mauldin, Mauldin Schools!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:50:36 -0700

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS | Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central | (864) 451-2402

105 Tanner Chase Way, Greenville, SC

Beautiful home-Greenville's East side, with professionally landscaped yard, zoned for Bethel, Mauldin & Mauldin schools!

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

offered at $204,900

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	2,515
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.23 acres
HOA/Maint	$29 per month

DESCRIPTION

Absolutely spectacular home with many upgrades in the highly desirable Summerfield subdivision! Zoned for Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle and MauldinHigh schools, this home is conveniently located within minutes to the 385 FWY, Butler Rd, downtown Simpsonville & Woodruff Rd! Enjoy all of the wonderfulshops, restaurants and great public schools just minutes away! This fabulous home features a formal living room, formal dining room, dedicated home officeon the first floor with french doors, and a large open floor plan connects the spacious great room to the kitchen area. Beautiful decorator paint colorsthroughout the home compliment additional upgrades, including oversize crown molding, additional wainscoting and a gorgeous ceramic tile floor in thekitchen! Great room is wired for surround sound! New as of December, 2011; a beautiful ventless gas log fireplace heating system, with a remote controlfeaturing a programmable thermostat! Large master bedroom features a sitting area and a full bathroom with dual vanities, garden tub and a huge walk-incloset featuring upgraded shelving and drawer units! Enjoy the convenience of a second floor laundry room with added shelving space! This home features afabulous kitchen with an oversized window in the eat-in kitchen area and also an additional window above the sink on the side wall of the home, allowingtons of additional sunlight to fill the kitchen area and great room! This home features a yard that is simply unforgettable! As you leave the kitchen door, youwill immediately notice the huge, upgraded 18X18 patio! The fenced yard has been professionaly landscaped and features a variety of gorgeous trees andshrubs. The yard features a recent addition of a fully customized 10X12 outbuilding with electricity, a customized wrap-around deck and an adjacent gardenarea. The outbuilding feautures a 60 amp breaker system, a workshop bench, window, and a loft area for additional storage. Fantastic Summerfieldsubdivision features a pool, play structure, basketball court, various common areas and a unique topography with subtle hills, winding streets, lights andsidewalks! This is truly a fantastic opportunity! Don't wait! Come see this fabulous home and lanscaped yard today!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Tile floor
- Family room	- Living room	- Office/Den
- Dining room	- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Microwave
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Swimming pool(s)

- Playground

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Custom built outbuilding with wrap-around deck!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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Contact info:

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 15, 2012, 7:59am PDT

Ready to List and Sell Your Home with a Realtor? How Will You Handle the Shadow Inventory Coming to the Market? A Few Thoughts from a Greenville, SC Realtor & Short Sale Listing Agent

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:59:40 -0800

All signs point towards 2012 being a significant year, in terms of the real estate market gaining a lot of clarity with respect to the movement of shadow inventory (foreclosed, bank-owned homes, pre-foreclosures, short sales and homes heading towards a foreclosure "sale date").

If you're a buyer, you have the perfect buyer's storm to navigate through and come out smelling like a rose! Inventory, competition in the marketplace and resulting downward pressures on home values, more short sales, more foreclosures and historically low mortgage interest rates all make for an exciting moment in history to be a buyer in the real estate market! Now is the time for you to find a great house and get a great deal, with a very low mortgage rate and enjoy an affordable house payment!

However, if you're considering selling, you have some very sobering realities headed your way. It is expected that this year we will see lenders begin to push through their shadow inventories more aggressively. This means that you must decide how badly you want to cling to your fantasies that your home is worth "X" and that you won't sell for any price below "X" because you truly know and believe that your home is worth it and you'll get it and you'll enjoy the benefits of holding out if need be, and you'll laugh all the way to the bank! Good luck with that strategy!

The bottom line is that we are coming up on the busier season and you will therefore have more competition on the market. Also, as banks work through the process of either modifying existing loans or encouraging their borrowers to seek a short sale listing or risk being foreclosed upon, you will see a large swell in the marketplace of short sales, and also foreclosed homes hitting the market. This only adds inventory to the marketplace and also puts immense pressures on home values in general, thus making it a challenge for conventional sale hold-outs who insist on waiting for that magical buyer to bless them with a contract sales price of "X", when many similar homes within a half mile radius may actually be selling for "X-20%".

As as seller, I would encourage you to simply be honest with yoursef regarding your overall situation and your ultimate objectives, and then make an informed decision to execute a sales strategy that helps you nail your objectives.

As a seller, are you a conventional sale with substantial equity? If so, and if you do not have to sell but would like to sell, then you have the luxury of holding out for "X" dollars, but don't forget that your home may just sit and bake in the sun as buyers keep moving on and viewing and submitting offers for more competitively priced homes. Whether you like it or not, it's a buyer's market right now!

If you are extremely tight on your equity position, and especially if you have to sell for some reason, you should be consulting with a short sale listing expert, such as myself, so that you can understand what your options are! Trust me when I tell you this; you do not want to start intentionally missing payments because you think that you are supposed to have missed multiple payments before you will ever be approved for a short sale! This is not at all the reality of the marketplace. Missed and/or late payments will damage your credit score! I have personally executed short sales for clients who have never missed a payment and never made a late payment! Provided you can show some form of a hardship that helps the bank to justify the need for and to allow a short sale, then you can get a short sale approved (depending on the lender and the circumstances of the hardship), without ever having missed a payment.

If you are underwater on your home's mortgage, and you can no longer afford the payments, it is extremely wise to seek help ASAP from a short sale listing expert. Do not miss month after month of payments and then decide to seek help once your lender is threatening you with foreclosure! Let me ask you this; would you rather have your lender seek a deficiency judgment against you for $25K or for $50K? Silly question, but that's exactly the potential damage you could be asking for by delaying the execution of a short sale! The longer you wait the more competition on the market and the more downward pressure on your home's value. Let's assume your lender agrees to a short sale and also agrees not to pursue you for any deficiency amount. Now, same question; would you rather your lender issues a 1099 with your name on it to the IRS for $25K or for $50K? That's exactly the risk we're talking about if you delay making an informed decision to pursue a short sale ASAP in today's real estate market.

If you are someone who has waited too long and you have a "foreclosure sale date" set by your lender, then you are obviously in a very difficult position. There is a possibility of a "Hail Mary pass to the end zone", depending on how close you are to the sale date, and your lender's willingness to work with you at this point. You would need to list your home as a short sale immediately, and position it aggressively in the marketplace to secure a contract ASAP and get it, along with a preliminary HUD and all other required paperwork to your lender ASAP. In doing so, your chosen, brilliant short sale listing agent would get on the phone with your lender and respectfully request a suspension of the foreclosure sale date so as to allow the bank to review the short sale offer and paperwork that was submitted. This is a difficult situation and it won't always work. However, I have been able to successfully execute a "5 seconds left in the game, and a Hail Mary pass to the end zone" strategy that resulted in a successful short sale and a foreclosure averted for my seller clients. It's stressful, exhausting and unnecessarily nerve-racking and it can be avoided if sellers simply face reality and seek help earlier than later!

All too often, I see the "conventional sale/strong equity" sellers make a huge mistake by holding out for "X" dollars (an amount at or beyond the highest possible thresholds of current fair market value). It almost always bites them in the end, as they end up conceding and selling for what I told them their home would eventually sell for, and all they did was burn months off the calendar!

Remember, you may not get as much as you wanted in the sale of your home, but if you turn around and leverage the buyer's market in your favor, you'll make up for it on the buy side!

It is critical to understand today's market if you are considering selling your home. Most experts agree that the shadow inventory is going to begin moving through the market this year. Sellers need to make educated, informed and strategic decisions so as to successfully navigate today's challenging real estate market.

Kirk Westervelt, BA, CDPE, SFR, REOS, BPOR

Keller Williams Realty

Greenville, SC

(864) 451-2402

The Time Is Now!!! Do Not Delay The Short Sale Process Any Longer!!! Advice from a short sale listing agent in Greenville, SC

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:08:49 -0800

As a short sale listing agent in Greenville, SC I see and hear all types of scenarios, circumstances, excuses and even "strategies" with respect to how people think about and handle short sales.

My best advice is to not waste any time and don't overthink the process. Also, don't leverage a short sale innappropriately, as a way to play games with the mortgage lender and "buy more time" to stay in the house.

Here's why:

If you qualify for and you've chosen to pursue a short sale, it's safe to assume you're doing it because you care about your financial health, your credit score, your overall indebtedness and basically, you'd like to get on with your life and put this situation behind you, with the best possible outcome for you and your family....right?

Assuming I'm not crazy, and your motives and intentions are in-line with the statement above, then why would you want to trash your credit score with missed and/or late payments? Why would you want to increase the size of any potential deficiency judgment against in you in the future? That's exactly the fire you're playing with if you prolong the short sale process, or delay getting started with the process. Why? The answer is simple, because there is a huge amount of short sale and foreclosure inventory that has yet to hit the market and when it does, we will experience increased downward pressure on home values. With this increase in distressed property inventory and an oversupply of homes for sale and an undersupply of qualified buyers, the distressed properties will inevitably sell for less and less as the market absorbs the inventory.

Simply put, the longer the delay in executing a successful short sale, the lower the fair market value and eventual sale price will be, thus increasing the delta between what is owed on the mortgage and what the final NET amount to the lender actually is, thus increasing any potential deficiency judgment amount in the future. Therefore, any unnecessary delays today could result in more pain later!

The Short Sale List Price Fairy Tale - A Case Study in Greenville, SC

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:17:54 -0800

I recently took another short sale listing, to help the homeowners avoid foreclosure. I ran the comps, reviewed the first and second mortgage loan payoff amounts and devised an intelligent starting list price. Additionally, my client clearly understood my recommended list price reduction strategy, based on a specific timeline, the surrounding active listings in the immediate area, the number of missed payments on the mortages and even seasonal market trends and short-term forecasts.

So, what happened when it came time to implement the first price reduction? My client disagreed with any such reduction and wanted the home to remain very close to the initial list price....of course!

And what did the initial list price reveal to us? It revealed what I knew from the very beginning; we did not have a single showing and/or a single offer to purchase. Yet, I agreed to start at a price which would otherwise avoid the need for a short sale, to appease my client's desires and strategy.

Meanwhile, my client is wasting precious time in a market which is about to experience a substantial rise in short sales and foreclosures.

Until the bank receives an initial contract/offer to purchase and performs a BPO valuation on the property, we won't know what the bottom line numbers are on any given short sale transaction. In the early stages of a short sale, the list price is sort of a moving target, designed to pull in offers and yield some very valuable information from the bank...which is what they are willing to accept as their minimum NET amount on the HUD statement.

Obviously, this particular client is clinging to the fantasy that the home will sell for a "seller's market" price, in a "buyer's market" and thus avoid the need for a short sale. Unfortunately, every week that passes without any offers to purchase is one week closer to a foreclosure auction sale date!

My next step is to offer a little emotional counseling and help this client get past their mental block of what it is that will actually be necessary to help them avoid foreclosure. They are clearly clinging to hope and fantasy, which is dangerously equivalent to denial and thus impending foreclosure, if they continue to block the progression of this short sale.

Depending on a number of variables, including the number of missed mortgage payments and whether or not there is a foreclosure auction sale date set by the bank, you simply must respect a pre-planned timeline by which you will orchestrate the short sale process for success.

At the end of the day, they hired me as an expert in my field, to help them avoid foreclosure. I have no doubts we'll achieve success, but as with most short sales, there are a plethora of emotions to navigate through on the journey towards accepting reality and achieving short sale success!

Gorgeous, Newer 5 Bedroom, 4 bathroom home for sale in Greenville, SC! Tanner Estates Subdivision, on Greenville's East Side, near Simpsonville, SC!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:58:02 -0700

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS | Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central | (864) 451-2402

501 Abby Cir, Greenville, SC

Gorgeous, newer home for sale in the highly desirable Tanner Estates subdivision on Greenville's East side!

5BR/4BA Single Family House

offered at $349,900

Year Built	2009
Sq Footage	3,995
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.2 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Absolutely gorgeous home in the highly desirable Tanner Estates subdivision. One of the most highly sought after floor plans, featuring a gourmet kitchen,formal living room, formal dining room, huge great room, eat-in kitchen, in-law suite with full bath on main floor, large, walk-in laundry with cabinets and sink,upstairs loft area, large bedrooms, 2 additional full baths upstairs plus huge master bedroom! Master bedroom features a large sitting area, treyed ceiling with ceiling fan, beautiful, large master bathroom with dual vanities, large jetted tub, and dual walk-in closets! Property features beautiful landscaping with an in-ground sprinkler system. Tanner Estates is one of the most beautiful new subdivisions positioned in the one of the best locations on the entire East side of Greenville! The subdivision boasts relaxing common areas, lights, sidewalks, a beautiful large swimming pool, tennis/basketball courts, playground and some beautiful, mature trees in the common areas. Zoned for the highly sought after Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle and Mauldin High schools, this subdivision is only minutes away from the 385 FWY, Butler Rd, HWY 14, and all of the wonderful shops and restaurants, grocery stores and entertainment along Woodruff Rd! Come see this beautiful home today!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Family room	- Living room
- Dining room	- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher
- Stove/Oven	- Microwave	- Granite countertop
- Stainless steel appliances	- Attic	- Laundry area - inside
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Swimming pool(s)

- Tennis court(s)

- Playground

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 24 Hour Toll Free Recorded Info Hotline: (877) 597-3557, Ext. 533

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6
Photo 7	Photo 8
Photo 9	Photo 10
Photo 11	Photo 12
Photo 13	Photo 14
Photo 15	Photo 16
Photo 17	Photo 18

Contact info:

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 19, 2011, 8:24am PDT

Greenville, SC Short Sale and Foreclosure Listings...Is There A Tsunami Wave of Short Sales and Foreclosures Coming to Greenville, SC?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:39:06 -0700

On July 13th 8 institutions, including Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo and Citigroup, met a deadline for submitting detailed action plans on how they will be handling distressed mortgage loans (short sales and foreclosures). The details of these plans, submitted by major banks and other home-loan servicers, were handed in to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks. At this point, all details of any such plans to handle massive numbers of short sales and foreclosures are being held confidential.

July of 2011 was also significant as a very large number of loans issued in June of 2006, called 5 year ARM's, finally "turned over" and reset as of July of 2011. These loans featured low teaser rates and the option of interest-only payments for the first 5 years. Many of these borrowers who made interest only payments for the past 5 years are simply under water as their current home values are less than what is owed on their mortgages. If these homeowners can't afford their house payments, and if they can't come to terms with their mortgage lenders in some way then they will be faced with the pursuit of a short sale or they will eventually be faced with the reality of a foreclosure.

With mortgage interest rates climbing higher, the pool of buyers will shrink. Likewise, any existing pool of buyers will see their purchasing power shrink, as mortgage interest rates climb higher.

As we consider all these realities in the marketplace converging, it appears obvious that we will all experience downward pressures on home values, a phenominal "buyer's market" and more "growing pains" for the real estate market to endure throughout this fall and well into 2012.

While this is a phenominal time for investors to engage their long term plans for building wealth with today's real estate market, it is also a very sobering time for many homeowners who are simply terrified and confused about what the future holds for them.

I foresee a "tsunami wave" of short sale and foreclosure inventory hitting the market in the Greater Greenville, SC and "Upstate" region throughout the second half of 2011 and throughout 2012.

Along with this reality comes an ever increasingly strong renter's market. Thus, the investor activity in buying up distressed properties, rehabbing them and renting them out! When people are displaced from their homes as a result of short sales or foreclosures, they've got to live somewhere! For most people, their only choice is to rent. I was shocked to have heard of what sounded like a record high rent one of my friends and neighbors told me about the other day. They were having a difficult time selling their home for what they wanted, so they rented it out on a two year lease, for an impressive monthly rent amount.

The bottom line is that if you are a homeowner trying to sell your home in today's market with the luxury of choice, then you are very blessed! If you'd like to sell, but don't have to sell....you are very blessed!

However, if you are a homeowner facing foreclosure, if you've missed payments and cannot see yourself catching up on those missed payments and you don't have any such "luxury of choice", then your best option may just be a short sale. An approved short sale by your mortgage lender will have much less severe implications on your life, your finances and your credit than a foreclosure!

The most crucial step for any homeowner who is struggling with their payments or has missed payments recently, is to understand what their options are, including fully understanding what a short sale is, and is not.

Once a homeowner fully understands their options, suddenly things tend to become less scary and less stressful. Many of my short sale clients actually feel relieved once they understand their options and choose to engage the short sale process with me. Many of my short sale clients have told me that after they left the closing table they were overjoyed and filled with relief and they could simply get on with their lives and never stress out again over "that house, that mortgage, that bank, the phone calls from the bank, the letters from the bank and the bank's law firm", etc, etc. When foreclosure is no longer hanging over your head like a dark cloud, life tends to be more enjoyable!

If you are a homeowner who has fallen behind on your mortgage payments, and if you happen to live in the Upstate South Carolina region, including Greenville, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Mauldin and Greer, then please take the time to call me so you can understand your options as a homeowner in today's challenging real estate market.

I am confident that as an expert short sale listing agent I can help you!

Kirk Westervelt, CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty

Van West Enterprises, LLC

(864) 451-2402

kirk@kwrealtyagent.com

Homes for Sale in Greenville & Simpsonville, SC; Buyers Should Trust an Expert Realtor who Works with Foreclosures and Short Sales in Today's Challenging Real Estate Market!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:04:07 -0700

Let's face it, everyone wants a great deal in today's buyer's market and an ever increasing majority of the transactions in today's real estate market often involve either a short sale or a foreclosed property.

The problem is that not all realtors are skilled in effectively navigating through the process of either a short sale or a foreclosure. Therefore, they are actually doing their clients a great disservice!

Lately it seems to be almost on a weekly basis I find myself dealing with another realtor in my market who shares with me some variation of the comment; "I've been selling real estate in this market for 25 years...but I don't have a clue how these short sales work".

Being a short sale listing expert in my market, I find myself exceptionally capable of navigating my buyer clients through the many potential pitfalls and challenges of attempting to buy a short sale property. In my experience, it is very rare to see two realtors who handle the short sale process exactly the same way, and/or make appropriate decisions at critical moments throughout the process. This makes for a messy playing field, to say the least!

Likewise, knowing how to work effectively with bank asset managers and following their procedures when dealing with an REO foreclosure property is critical to a successful transaction. It's the smallest attention to details, and respecting unique policies and procedures that can often make or break a deal. Especially if there are competing offers on the table!

Today's real estate market offers an exceptional opportunity to build wealth by purchasing a short sale or foreclosure property below fair market value, with a low interest loan, with little or no money down (via an FHA or a USDA mortgage loan).

Buyers owe it to themselves to be certain they are working with an expert real estate professional who knows how to confidently and successfully navigate through today's buyer's market, and related transactions which is increasingly filled with short sale and foreclosure properties.

I invite any buyers or sellers of real estate in the Greater Greenville, SC region, including Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn, SC, to give me a call. I'm happy to provide you with a quality consultation designed towards understanding your needs and laying out a strategy to help you achieve success in today's challenging real estate market!

Kirk Westervelt

Keller Williams Realty

(864) 451-2402

Fully remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home for sale in Greenville, SC - 101 Wedgewood Drive - Just minutes North of Beautiful Downtown Main St in Greenville, SC

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:04:01 -0700

Absolutely stunning and charming downtown Greenville home with extensive remodeling and upgrades! This 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom home sits on a large corner lot with mature trees and a level, fenced yard. This home was totally remodeled over the last few years, and includes exception upgrades, improvements and attention to detail! Some of the many custom remodeling efforts include rich, hand-finished hardwoods, newer electrical lines/components and outlets, bold crown molding, recessed lighting fixtures and a new roof was installed November of 2010. The custom kitchen is fabulous for entertaining and includes hand-crafted cabinets with extendable shelving, Santa Cecilia Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a secretary/desk counter space along the window ledge, a custom island with built-in space for a wine chiller, and room at both the island and the breakfast bar for barstools. This charming home has a traditional floorplan throughout, except for the kitchen which boasts a custom, open floor plan, leading into the dining room and/or Florida room area. The large living room boasts rich hardwood floors and leads into the hallway with 2 full baths, and 3 large bedrooms. The Master bedroom is accessible from either the kitchen area or the central hallway. The Master bedroom looks out to a charming central courtyard with room for flowers, grass and a patio area fantastic for grilling in the summertime! The Florida room/Dining room area was recently remodeled and includes fantastic windows throughout, letting in tons of sunlight and a cool breeze! Newer, energy efficient windows were installed as part of the overall remodeling of this magnificent home. Huge, 20X20 workshop with various workbenches and power can be used for any number of projects, work, hobbies, storage or recreation. This lovely home is within walking distance to Summit Drive Elementary school, and a great public park/playground. Enjoy all that downtown Greenville has to offer! This charming neighborhood with large lots and mature trees is only minutes to shops, restaurants and all the best the city of Greenville has to offer! Welcome home!

Currently offered for sale, for $219,900.

Please call Greenville, SC Realtor Kirk Westervelt at: (864) 451-2402 for more information, or to view this lovely home.

Home for sale, Simpsonville, SC - 106 Shillingford Ct, Fine Brick 5 Bedroom Home for Sale in Desirable Stonehaven Subdivision

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:43:23 -0800

106 Shillingford Ct

SIMPSONVILLE, SC

Spectacular fine home in desirable Stonehaven Subdivision in Simpsonville, SC

5BR/4BA Single Family House

$445,000

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	3,999
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	.37 acres
HOA/Maint	$45 per month

Description

Absolutely gorgeous, larger brick home for sale in the highly desirable Stonehaven subdivision in Simpsonville! This spectacular home has it all! Beautiful hardwood floors lead you into spacious rooms throughout the first level. Elegant columns separate the large formal dining room from the formal living room.The huge kitchen boasts ample counter space and a center island with a Jenn Air cook top. The kitchen opens up to a very spacious great room with beautiful hardwood floors, a gas fireplace and custom, built-in bookshelves. The main level has a full bath and a bedroom. The bedroom on the main level also serves as an excellent home office, study or den. Follow the rich hardwood stairs and you'll find ample living space on the second level, including a large bonus/rec room with spectacular views of the neighborhood. The master suite boasts a fabulous, private master bathroom with a jetted tub and custom cabinetry. The master bathroom leads into a large walk-in closet boasting ample sunlight from the front window. The great room opens up to a large screened porch. Enjoy the wind blowing through the trees from your large screened porch, or go out onto the open deck area, for some sun & entertainment and enjoy the large,level, fully fenced backyard! Enjoy an extra parking pad outside the side-entry garage. The garage boasts ample space for a workshop area, or additional storage. Exceptional cul-de-sac lot location boasts an elevated topography, yet maintains a large, level backyard. This home is currently zoned for some of the most desirable schools in the Greater Greenville & Simpsonville area; Oakview Elementary, Mauldin Middle and Mauldin High schools. This fine Simpsonville home offers so many wonderful attributes and is only minutes to Five Forks, HWY 14, the 385 FWY, Woodruff Rd and all of the wonderful shopping and restaurants in the Greater Simpsonville and Greenville area! Stonehaven is truly one of the most desirable and elegant subdivisions in Simpsonville! Welcome home!

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Bonus/Rec room	Office/Den	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Attic	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Community Features

Clubhouse

Swimming pool(s)

Tennis court(s)

Other Special Features

Call 24 Hours a Day for Toll Free Information: (877) 597-3557, Ext. 53

Additional Photos

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Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact Info

Kirk Westervelt CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Greenville, SC, Simpsonville, SC, Best Prices on Concrete Driveways, Patios, Screened Porches, Decks and Wooden Fences

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:30:36 -0800

As a real estate professional, I am constantly working with a diverse network of service providers. It amazes me how much money I can save people when they're contemplating the installation of a new concrete walkway, driveway, extra parking pad, etc. The most popular thing I come across is people craving a "real" patio versus the silly little 10X10 patio they got with the home they purchased. People love having a real patio installed in their yard, off the back door. For example I recently helped someone who wanted a 15X30 patio. Now, they're building a screened porch on it and having tile flooring and ceiling fans installed. They are very happy!

I can help you if you need anything concrete installed, or lumber related projects framed and finished as a home improvement. If you want to install any new concrete...call me! I can save you money! If you want a deck, a screened porch, a fence, a patio overhang, etc., call me! I can save you money! The guys in my network know what they're doing, as they typically build entire houses for a living. I help to find them these side jobs when they're between other major projects, and they're happy to pass along savings to you for these side jobs!

Please contact me if you would like a quote. I can also provide you with photos of recent concrete driveways, extra parking pads, walkways, wood fences, patios, decks and screened porch installation jobs.

Also, if you're looking for an exterior finish on a screened porch or Florida room job to match your home's vinyl siding, brick, roofing, trim and gutters, this is not a problem! Just call me!

Kirk Westervelt

President/CEO

Van West Enterprises, LLC

Realtor - Keller Williams Realty

(864) 451-2402

Greenville, SC, Simpsonville, SC, Best Prices on Concrete Driveways, Patios, Screened Porches, Decks and Wooden Fences

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:13:49 -0800

Also, if you're looking for a an exterior finish on a screened porch or Florida room job to match your home's vinyl siding, brick, roofing, trim and gutters, this is not a problem! Just call me!

Kirk Westervelt

President/CEO

Van West Enterprises, LLC

Realtor - Keller Williams Realty

(864) 451-2402

Greenville, SC Homes for Sale...2011 Will Absolutely be the "Perfect Homebuyer Storm", the Best Time to Buy a Home!!!

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:05:57 -0800

I know, it sounds cliche' and the term is often overused in the real estate industry. "Now is the best time to buy a home".

Well, if I am anything I am 100% honest with people. The most common compliment I receive from my clients is that I am a "straight shooter" with them.

Allow me to share my 100% honest and professional advice with you, regarding the Greenville, SC real estate market throughout 2011...

2011 is expected to be the "bottom" of our market. Will home values spring back and begin to appreciate wildly starting in 2012? Not necessarily. I think the most common question and concern I hear is "when will the bleeding stop?". In other words, "when will my home value stop depreciating?". I believe, the Q2 period of 2012, in Greenville, SC will reflect that "the bleeding has stopped", and possibly even mild appreciation in select neighborhoods/developments/subdivisions, etc. can be expected.

Conversely, 2011 is expected to yield a substantial number of short sales and bank owned, REO, foreclosure properties for sale throughout the Greater Greenville, SC region. This will continue to put downward pressure on tradtional, non-distressed resales and everyone's home values (whether you're selling or not).

By now we've all heard that "interest rates are at historically low levels!", and it almost comes across like another annoying commercial that interupts our favorite TV show. However, I have to say that my resources tend to agree that mortgage interest rates will in fact rise by late 2011 and into 2012.

When you combine this information (large volume of distressed homes for sale and low mortgage interest rates) and then contemplate whether or not 2011 is a good time to buy a home...it should be very obvious that 2011 could in fact represent the "perfect storm" for homebuyers looking to upgrade their home and lifestyle, while leveraging low mortgage interest rates into an affordable house payement for themselves!

How cool would that be? Upgrade into a nicer, larger home, and possibly even keep the house payment the same, or maybe even less than your current house payment? This absolutely can be accomplished in 2011, for a strategic home buyer...with the right help from a professional!

That's where I come in! I'll hunt for you and show you homes, and then educate you as per the differences in getting involved in buying a short sale, VS a bank-owned home/foreclosed home. Then, I'll negotiate aggressively on your behalf and consider all aspects, terms and options as part of the home buying process, so that the entire experience is tailored to meet your objectives effectively.

2011 is the "perfect storm" for any homebuyer in Greenville, SC looking to upgrade, increase their wealth, ensure a strong equity position at the closing table and leverage today's market conditions in their favor!

Call me today, and lets get started on your home search!

Kirk Westervelt

Realtor

Keller Williams Realty

Greenville, SC

(864) 451-2402

kirk@kwrealtyagent.com

Greenville, SC Home for Sale, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, zoned for Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle, Mauldin High!

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:35:13 -0800

204 Fire Island Way

GREENVILLE, SC

Immaculate home for sale in Summerfield subdivision! Premium lot location! Highly desirable floor plan!

4BR/2+1BA Single Family House

$209,900

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	2,515
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	0.2 acres
HOA/Maint	$30 per month

Description

Absolutely stunning! This gorgeous home shows impeccable taste throughout! One of the most highly sought after models, the Burkdale, on a premium lot location that backs up to the tranquility of a tree-lined creek. This immaculate home features a front entrance with a vaulted ceiling, formal dining room with rich hardwood floors, and a formal living room featuring new French doors. The spacious Den is wired and ready to be used as a home office, or as a playroom, library or hobby room. The Great room area is simply fantastic! It features brand new carpet installed on upgraded carpet padding, very attractive new Sherwin Williams paint, brand new gas logs in the fireplace, new folding glass doors on the fireplace and an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings to the 2ndfloor. The entire first floor features rich, tasteful upholstered window treatments which convey with the home. The entire kitchen is stunning, and features upgraded cherry cabinets with brushed nickel knobs and drawer handles, black appliances, a brand new "whisper quiet" dishwasher, an oversized island with breakfast bar, tile backsplash, upgraded recessed lighting and beautiful tile floors! The huge master bedroom features a treyed ceiling, gorgeous views of the tree-lined creek, and a large master bathroom with a garden tub, walk-in closet and dual vanities. This spacious, 4 bedroom, 2 and a half bath home boasts upgraded, beautiful landscaping and a large rear deck and a Rainbow play structure in the yard which conveys with the home. The home also features upgraded ceiling fans & lighting fixtures, and new 2" faux wood window blinds throughout! Zoned for Bethel Elementary, Mauldin Middle and Mauldin High schools! Close to freeway access and only minutes to all of the shopping and restaurants on Woodruff Rd! Fantastic Summerfield subdivision features a pool,play structure, basketball court, common areas and a unique topography with subtle hills, winding streets, lights and sidewalks! Don't wait! This home is truly unique, has so much to offer and will put a smile on your face! Welcome home!

Property Features

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Office/Den	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Attic	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

Community Features

Swimming pool(s)

Playground

Other Special Features

24 Hour Toll Free Recorded Info: (877) 597-3557, Adress = 204

Additional Photos

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact Info

Kirk Westervelt, CDPE, SFR, REOS

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Why do Short Sales Typically Fail? Notes from a Short Sale Listing Agent in Greenville, SC

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:45:23 -0700

As a CDPE I often help clients avoid foreclosure by listing their home for sale and negotiating for a short sale approval from their lender. I've helped clients avoid foreclosure in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Mauldin, Fountain Inn, Travelers Rest, Taylors and Easley, SC.

While Greenville and Simpsonville, SC hasn't suffered with distressed properties to the same degree as places like Florida, CA, AZ, Las Vegas, OH and Detroit, we certainly have had a noticeable increase in these types of distressed property listings.

I've noticed some of the most common reasons that short sales typically fail, or at least why any given offer to purchase fails to see things through the entire process and get to the closing table.

Here's a short list of the most common reasons a short sale typically fails:

Buyers become impatient and quit. Depending on who the lender is, this is often the bank's fault for putting everyone through a horribly slow process, and often when they finally respond it's just a counter offer which may blow the whole deal out of the water. If it's not necessarily the bank's fault, then it's the buyer who simply entered into a short sale transaction with very unrealistic expectations as to how this process works. Is this the buyer's fault? Or perhaps the buyer's agent's fault for not properly managing the expectations of their client?
Buyers place hard deadlines on the short sale process and threaten to quit and walk away if they don't get a favorable response by said deadline. Similar to becoming impatient and quitting, this scenario involves threats and deadlines from the buyer. Certainly we can all respect if such deadlines are meaningful and valid to the buyer. However, this is often not the case. Often, this is just an extension of and a natural result of the buyer becoming impatient. What the buyers don't realize is that the listing agent does not control the banks. Banks rarely respond to "false deadlines" or any other type of "demands" from the buyer. On occassion a listing agent can help nudge the process along and get some "altitude" going for the case file at the bank, but that does not always result in anyone at the bank recognizing or respecting any date or deadline demands from the buyer. It depends on who the lender is, big, small, national, regional, local, and whether or not you have a direct line to the decision maker or if you're at the mercy of a national lender and their cumbersome internal processes. If possible, success can be achieved for the buyer, seller and the lender, if the buyer understands the process and can be patient and flexible throughout a short sale transaction.
The bank is working off of an overvaluation from the BPO agent. This is a sad reality in our industry right now. I have experienced major road blocks and time wasted while trying to overcome ridiculously high overvaluations given to the bank by the BPO agent. In fact, I just took a short sale listing this past weekend and my new client confessed to me that his buddy does BPO work full time for the banks and he is a "master" at handing in a high number, thus setting up the short sale listing agent for failure, and eventually getting the REO listing from the bank after the property goes through foreclosure. Pretty sick, huh? Sad but true! As if short sales weren't time consuming enough, now short sale listing agents have to beg the banks to listen to them when arguing an overvaluation and then build up a case file full of comps to formally contest the bank's BPO valuation, which involves a process and more time, if even allowed by the bank. Meanwhile, the ready, willing and able buyer is disgusted with the bank's "greedy" and foolish counter offer and decides to quit and buy another house, rather than waste more time on this painful process and wait for the listing agent to successfully argue the bank's overvaluation. Meanwhile, the BPO "bully" agent has done nothing but help to put a family through foreclosure, just to hopefully line their pockets with a few thousand dollars, should they end up getting the REO listing. Who do you blame? The BPO "bully" agent? Or, the banks, for being too cheap to hire a licensed appraiser who would otherwise hand in a quality appraisal report?
The listing client waits too long to seek help and they're now only weeks away from foreclosure. It's always sad when you know that you could probably have a home sold within the average days on market for that given area or subdivision, you know that you can successfully negotiate a short sale with the seller's lender, you know you've got interested buyers seeking such a home in that area or subdivision and yet...the people crying out for help waited until it was just too late in the foreclosure process to successfully execute a short sale transaction. This happens. Often, as a professional short sale listing agent, all you can do is give full honesty and disclosure to the prospective client as to the short term risks and potential outcome of having waited so long to seek help. Then, decide how to best utilize your time and whether or not you'll accept the listing. Much of this will boil down to how you manage your business, and basically a "gut check" reaction to the personal circumstances and situation of the family asking you for help. On one hand, you must manage your business wisely. On the other hand, listen to your gut and listen to your heart. Then, make an informed decision as to whether or not it makes sense to get involved in the process...so late in the game.

Are there more reasons a short sale can fail? Sure! You bet! However, I've found these to be the most common.

This is meant to be helpful information for the public and other agents considering getting involved in short sale listings. This information is based on my personal experiences and not necessarily any statistical facts or data.

I guess the joyful reality in all of this "short sale failure" talk is that the majority of my short sale listings do succeed! I take great pride and joy in the fact that while the process can be time consuming and challenging, the end result is a family that I helped to avoid going through foreclosure.

Each time I close on a short sale transaction, I feel like I have helped a family, I've helped my profession, I've helped the economy and I've helped my community. Once you understand the broad spectrum economics of the alternative...MASS FORECLOSURES...you'll get my point and understand why I feel I've not only earned my commission, but I feel pretty darned good about it!

Be well,

Kirk Westervelt

Keller Williams Realty

Greenville, SC

864-451-2402

Beautiful Home for Sale in Neely Farm Subdivision in Simpsonville! 5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths! Huge Front Porch! Granite! Screened Porch! Deck! 900 Neely Farm Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29680

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:15:40 -0700

Kirk Westervelt, BA, CDPE | Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central | (864) 451-2402

900 Neely Farm Drive, Simpsonville, SC

Beautiful home in Neely Farm subdivision in Simpsonville! 5 Bedrooms! Huge front porch! Relaxing screened porch in yard!

5BR/2+1BA Single Family House

offered at $264,900

Year Built	1996
Sq Footage	2,900
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	2,756 sqft
HOA/Maint	$32 per month

DESCRIPTION

Wow! Welcome home! This beautiful home in the highly desirable Neely Farm subdivision has it all! Your toughest decision of the day will be whether to relax in your rocking chair on the huge front porch, or to listen to the wind blowing through the mature trees in your yard and enjoy the tranquility of your rear screened porch! This elegant home is truly immaculate throughout, and features real hardwood floors, a gorgeous formal dining room, a formal den, a relaxing great room with a fabulous fireplace, a fantastic, functional kitchen with spectacular granite counter tops and a bar-top sitting area, a cozy eat-in kitchen area overlooks the beautifully landscaped back yard and a separate, walk-in laundry room with a sink and ample cabinet storage space is just off the large kitchen. Upstairs features an amazing master bedroom suite with a beautiful master bathroom featuring a separate jetted garden tub. This amazing home features 5 bedrooms, or, use the 5th bedroom as a large bonus room if desired. This home and subdivision is only minutes away from all of the wonderful shops and restaurants along Fairview Rd, and only minutes away from 385 FWY access! This home is zoned for Plain Elementary, Ralph Chandler Middle and Woodmont High schools. The side entry garage is incredibly convenient and adds to spectacular appearance of the front of the home! This is truly a "must see" home and it is sure to put a smile on your face!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Tile floor
- Family room	- Bonus/Rec room	- Office/Den
- Dining room	- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Microwave
- Granite countertop	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Clubhouse	- Swimming pool(s)	- Tennis court(s)
- Playground

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- 24 Hour Toll Free Recorded Info: (877) 597-3557, Ext. 6143

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Kirk Westervelt, BA, CDPE

Keller Williams Realty - Greenville Central

(864) 451-2402

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 9, 2010, 1:24pm PDT

Spartanburg, SC Short Sale, Foreclosure Market Report, 12-6-09

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:38:07 -0800

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I can help my clients to avoid going through foreclosure by negotiating a short sale with their mortgage lender.

If you can no longer afford to make your house payment, call me immediately so I can help you understand your options, and the process of pursuing a successful short sale on your home in order to avoid foreclosure.

As a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) in the Upstate South Carolina Region, I am uniquely qualified and trained to handle my client's needs whether they are buying or selling a distressed property.

Also, as a member of Realty Trac I have accurate information readily available to me with respect to homes in various stages of the foreclosure process in any given zip code or city. This information is quite valuable to my investor clients or to owner-occupants who are simply looking for the best possible deal when buying their next home.

Following is the most recent distressed property market report from Realty Trac for Spartanburg, SC:

Pre-Foreclosures: (UNK) properties are in default

Auctions: 1 properties are up for auction

Bank-Owned: 214 properties are bank-owned

Do not hesitate to call me if you would like to leverage this information to help you with the home buying process in the Upstate SC region.

Piedmont, SC Short Sale, Foreclosure Market Report, 12-6-09

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:32:35 -0800

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I can help my clients to avoid going through foreclosure by negotiating a short sale with their mortgage lender.

Following is the most recent distressed property market report from Realty Trac for Piedmont, SC:

Pre-Foreclosures: 44 properties are in default

Auctions: 8 properties are up for auction

Bank-Owned: 92 properties are bank-owned

Do not hesitate to call me if you would like to leverage this information to help you with the home buying process in the Upstate SC region.

Easley, SC Short Sale, Foreclosure Market Report, 12-6-09

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:28:39 -0800

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I can help my clients to avoid going through foreclosure by negotiating a short sale with their mortgage lender.

Following is the most recent distressed property market report from Realty Trac for Easley, SC:

Pre-Foreclosures: 89 properties are in default

Auctions: 0 properties are up for auction

Bank-Owned: 153 properties are bank-owned

Do not hesitate to call me if you would like to leverage this information to help you with the home buying process in the Upstate SC region.