Lenders to Halt Foreclosure Evictions over the Holidays - 12/18/09 07:22 PM
I heard it first on ActiveRain...
Via Brian Ripp (Realty World-Viking Realty):
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will suspend foreclosure evictions from December 19, 2009 through January 3, 2010.  To help struggling families over the holidays, both owner-occupants and tenants living in properties foreclosed upon by Fannie Mae will not be evicted.  Freddie Mac's suspension of evictions will be limited to properties up to four units.
In a similar move, Citigroup Inc. will suspend foreclosure sales and evictions for 30 days through January 17, 2010 for loans it owns.  Citigroup's foreclosure moratorium, however, does not extend to loans it services on behalf of … (3 comments)

How do these BANKS stay in BUSINESS?? OH wait... - 12/17/09 12:21 PM
Oh so true! For the love of working short sales...
Via Kathy Schowe (The Lori Bowers Group):
I called for an update today on a short sale that I have been working on since October  and was told that I did not have authorization--- WHAT?  I have been talking to them (and getting info) for months, and now I am not AUTHORIZED?  The nice lady told me that actually, the file was short on authorization docs, and pretty much short on everthing else.  Hmmmm.  So I was given a new set of numbers for faxing and I returned to the machine and sent … (3 comments)

The Unplanned Day of A Realtor - 12/16/09 11:52 PM
A lot of people have asked me, "What do you really do everyday as a Realtor?!" It came to mind that most people outside of the industry (why would they?) and maybe even a few people in the industry don't know what a typical day consists of for a busy Realtor.
We Realtors on the other hand know that any day can be unpredictable and our lives really do need to allow flexibility. Let me share with you my day as I planned it and then how it went nothing as planned.
Planned Schedule:
Check email & respond to all emails requiring attention. Respond … (9 comments)

Pros & Cons of Buying Short Sales and Foreclosures - 12/08/09 05:22 PM
A recent article in the New York Times does a great job explaining the process of buying distressed real estate and this process holds true of La Quinta's market.

The article discusses the pros and cons from a buyer's perspective of buying a foreclosed property and accurately describes what to expect if you do write an offer. It also talks about the short sale process and what to anticipate here.
If you are a buyer in La Quinta considering the purchase of either a short sale or bank owned property, read this article as your initial research.
Read the full article here. For further information … (7 comments)

My First Success Story - 12/04/09 06:21 PM
It is official! I have my first success story from blogging on ActiveRain - thank you! I knew the time would come and it was well worth the effort. My new client, who lives in Florida but owns property in California found me via ActiveRain after researching online. Following a few emails back and forth and a phone call, I now have a new golf course listing in La Quinta.
What else is there to say other than I need a buyer for my new listing! Once again, I turn to ActiveRain and all the amazing agents on here for help.
This lovely … (7 comments)

What Took So Long? New Short Sale Guidelines - 12/03/09 05:08 PM
By now the majority of you have heard about the U.S. Treasury setting new guidelines to help the painful short sale experience. My question to the Treasury is, "What took so long?"
Short sales have certainly gained a reputation and not necessarily a good one from agents, sellers, and buyers. The one thing everyone does seem to agree on is that short sales are frustrating. Lets hope some of this guidance will help alleviate the pain.  
The Treasury's guidelines give financial incentives to servicers, provides borrowers with $1500 in relocation expenses, and fully releases the borrower of the debt. The guidelines also state that bank's must approve or disapprove … (4 comments)