Short Sale Solutions

Keeping the lender out of your Short Sale will increase your closing ratios and decrease your frustration & anxiety!

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:47:24 -0500

In today's market, most Realtors are under the perception that lenders have majority control over their Short Sales. In fact, after verbally surveying over 500 Realtors at the 2008 and 2009 NAR Conference, most think they only have 0-20% control over the outcome of their Short Sale transactions, giving majority control to the lenders, their customer service and loss mitigation reps. When we talk about "control", what does this mean?

First of all, the turnover in the lending industry, particularly loss mitigation, is astonishing at the moment. Furthermore, it is extremely rare to find a loss mitigation or customer service rep that holds a real estate license. Let's be very clear on this point. What the Listing or Buyer's Agent is responsible for in the Short Sale is completely separate of what the lenders are required to do, and require a completely different set of specialized skills. One of the few reasons why a lender is involved in a Short Sale is to consider and approve a purchase contract that a Listing Agent has procured, because it nets the lender something less than the full amount owed. The lender doesn't have the ability to tell you, the Listing Agent, when to go active on MLS, based on the type of loan. In most cases, neither the specific loss mitigation rep, or the Agent know the specific and unique difference in working a Short Sale for a FHA, VA, and a Conventional loan. When the listing Agent goes active in MLS to procure an offer solely depends on the type of loan the Seller has in a Short Sale. If most Agents don't know this, then how in the heck would a customer or loss mitigation rep know this? Due to the fact that most real estate agents have had a limited amount of Short Sale education and training, who are most agents relying on to tell them what to do next in the Short Sale? If you're saying the lender, that's absolutely correct... and this is presenting significant issues and dilemmas. If you are relying on the lender to tell you what they need, phone call after phone call, fax after fax, and you don't already know what is required by each individual lender, including their specific addendums, PRIOR to getting them involved, you must know that there is a lot more to learn about Short Sales.

The degree to which you can keep the lender out of your Short Sale transaction is only going to increase your closing ratios and decrease your anxiety, frustration, and any unnecessary obstacles typically experienced by most Realtors in their Short Sale transactions today.

Shifting your paradigm for which you process your Short Sales is essential and necessary. After attending the CDRS Certification Program, Realtors, even those with other Short Sale certifications, say that they had no idea there was so much more to learn about the Short Sale process and that there is a completely different and intelligent way of working these seemingly complex transactions. If you haven't been through the CDRS Program, trust the many other Realtors going through this program... you don't have the entire picture, even if you think you do! Please don't be foolish in thinking you've had enough Short Sale education! In truth, most Agents don't know what they don't know. Watch recent Video Testimonials.

Remember, you are the quarterback of the Short Sale transaction, not the lender.

Knowledge is powerful! Until next time, we wish you the best of luck in your Short Sale business.

Michael Spickes

America's Home Rescue

www.CDRSCertified.com

So, you think you have enough Short Sale education? New Video Testimonials from CDRS Short Sale Certification Event - A must see!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:43:02 -0500

Fernando Herboso

Key Realty Group

Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.

Theresa Helfman Taylor

Coldwell Banker

Bethesda, Maryland

Jane Quill

RE/Max Presidential

Fairfax, Virginia

Chuck Ottley

Sellstate Dominion Realty

Bowie, Maryland

Steve Paxton

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS^®

Baltimore, Maryland

Dwight Avis

Thomas J. Lynch Real Estate

Great Falls, Virginia

Just in! Video Testimonials from Realtors in powerful Short Sale Certification Course

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:34:25 -0500

Fernando Herboso

Key Realty Group

Maryland, Virginia, and D.C.

Jane Quill

RE/Max Presidential

Fairfax, Virginia

Chuck Ottley

Sellstate Dominion Realty

Bowie, Maryland

Steve Paxton

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS^®

Baltimore, Maryland

Visit www.CDRSCertified.com for upcoming "live" and online webinar class dates!
Call 888-699-9222 for questions.

Short Sales: The bank should not be asking you for an offer on an FHA Short Sale

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:37:00 -0500

Fellow Short Sale Enthusiasts,

I want to preface this response by stating that one of our successful coaching group members and I had a conversation just the other day about Chase and many of their loss mitigation representatives not being familiar with HUD guidelines, as they pertain to Short Sales. This actually applies to most lenders. During the course of her conversation about the HUD guidelines with a new rep at Chase, and ONLY after building a solid rapport with the rep, she finally stated that their supervisor never taught them about specific HUD guidelines and that all loans are treated the same. The rep very quickly came to recognize the difference, as a result of some guidance from our CDRS Member. Please understand that most customer service and loss mitigation representatives, especially within Chase, are completely unaware of the fact that they can't accept an offer (or contract) until the borrower (your client) has been accepted and approved to participate in HUD's pre-foreclosure sale program, as evidenced by HUD Form 90045. To them, like most lenders, they insist on wanting an offer, not knowing that the offer is not necessary on an FHA Short Sale in order to order an appraisal, which is required by HUD for the sole purpose of the approval and acceptance of the homeowner into the program. This is why the lender is required by HUD to send to the borrower and the listing broker HUD Form 90045 within 7 days of the borrower's acceptance into the program. HUD Form 90045 establishes what the lender can and cannot take in the Short Sale, in terms of a net figure (88%, 86%, and 84% CMV), and it also discloses the appraisal value. On the HUD guidelines, they even specifically state the number of days for which the bank must net, based on how many days the property has been marketed from day 1 of the acceptance. Why would there be time frames established by HUD, post program acceptance, if the lenders required you to have a purchase contract before proceeding forward? Folks, an offer is not required first on an FHA Short Sale. You can go active in MLS any day and every day if you would like to, but procuring an offer or contract can be premature, unless the Seller has already been accepted into the program, as evidence by HUD Form 90045. After tons of Short Sales, we finally learned that we were going active way too soon in MLS and procuring offers that could never be accepted in the first place so soon in the process. When we switched our approach, 80% of our frustration, stress, and anxiety went away in our Short Sales. Trust me, the loss mitigation reps will NEVER understand why you're holding off on going active in MLS and procuring a contract, before the Seller is accepted into the program. This is your strategy, not theirs. Ultimately, if it seems you're stuck because they don't know the guidelines, then call HUD and get them to call the lender. Usually, the lender will order the appraisal not too long after wards. Have a great one!

Want to become a master of the Short Sale transaction? Get your CDRS Certification asap. Most obstacles and frustrations are caused by an inexperienced and uneducated real estate agent, unknowingly, and not primarily the lender.

www.CDRSCertified.com

Check out what a recent fan had to say.

"You guys are truly fantastic teachers. I have been in real estate for 23 years and it's rare that we have the opportunity to be taught by a true expert. Keep up the hall of fame type work!"

Thanks

Jim D.

Re/Max Associates

It's official! AHR introduces Short Sale Certification Program for Escrow, Settlement, and Closing Officers, as well as Closing Attorneys

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:52:39 -0500

Refer your favorite Escrow Officer or Closing Attorney to this program and get rewarded for it, if you are already a CDRS Member!

America's Home Rescue (AHR) has officially launched the all-new CDRCS (Certified Default Resolution Closing Specialist) Certification Program for Escrow, Settlement, Closing Officers and Attorneys. America's Home Rescue began training and educating closing officers over 2 years ago, primarily for First American Title Insurance and LandAmerica, in closing Short Sale transactions with a greater level of efficiency and success. For the most part, every Realtor has or has heard of an escrow or closing officer that they would prefer to close their deals with, especially their Short Sale transactions. Short Sales require a unique level of knowledge from a closing officer, especially when calculating an estimated and final HUD-1 settlement statement. When you have a closing officer that is inexperienced in closing Short Sales, even if the closing officer has extensive experience in traditional real estate closings, there is a much higher risk of your Short Sale being effected or the deal falling through altogether. With the launch of this new and powerful training certification program, AHR is making sure that the real estate professionals across America have a greater level of confidence when choosing to close their Short Sale deal with a particular closing or title company.

Furthermore, AHR is offering a special incentive to Realtors who obtain the CDRS designation for Realtors at www.CDRSCertified.com. The cost of the CDRS Certification Program is currently only $395 and requires an annual renewal fee of $95. For Realtors who refer their favorite closing officers to the all-new CDRCS Certification Program, AHR will deduct $25 from the next annual renewal fee of $95, reducing the cost to $70. If the CDRS Member also obtains NAR's new SFR designation, AHR will deduct an additional $25 from the annual renewal fee. Point to be made... You can never have enough education and make sure your closing officer has the most advanced pre-foreclosure training on the market today! Absolutely no other training company in today's market is providing such a diverse and industry-specific training program to both real estate professionals and closing officers. The cost of the CDRCS Certification Program in ONLY $125, with a monthly subscription of only $10.

For more information, please visit www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz.

Great video from Rich Rudnick (National Sales Consultant/Coach) on Short Sale Training Program

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:41:19 -0500

September 1, 2009

Please watch this video:

http://sss.streamedic.com/media.php?NzA

Make It An On Purpose Day!

Rich Rudnick

Sales Consultant/Coach

1-877-735-7678

www.smartsalessolutions.net

Our purpose is to take your God-given talent and determination and transform that potential into tangible results, consisting of far greater financial rewards for you and a substantially enriched personal life.

Visit America's Home Rescue at www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz

Short Sales: Submitting Mutliple Offers and Lender Net Thresholds

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:32:54 -0500

Is anyone noticing all the fragmented discussion about Short Sales these days? There continues to be mass confusion about the whats, whens, whys, hows, and whos of Short Sale transactions. I want to make something clear and my intention of this post is truly to help everyone who reads it. As speakers at the 2007, 2008, and 2009 NAR Annual and Midyear Conventions and the upcoming first-ever NAR REALTOR University Webinar Summit, and as a 7-year veteran of being in the trenches building a Short Sale business as a team of licensed Realtors (not investors... totally different ballgame!), there continues to be a very large disconnect between lenders, servicers, note owners, real estate agents, escrow and title officers, and settlement attorneys on the topic of Short Sales. Here's something interesting. We verbally surveyed as many Realtors as possible at the recent NAR conventions and discovered that 95% of Realtors think that they control only 0-20% of the outcome of a Short Sale and think the lender, or servicers have majority control (80+%) as to what will happen in their Short Sale transactions. This perception is every Realtor's first mistake in Short Sales. Most real estate agents literally are waiting on the lender or servicer to guide or tell them what to do next and this is literally a blind man walking a blind dog, causing massive amounts of confusion and frustration among all parties involved. First of all, Lenders/servicers and their loss mitigation and customer service reps do not have real estate licenses, therefore, they don't and never will truly know and understand the rules, regulations, and laws that have to be followed by the Listing or Buyer's Agents, especially in accordance to the individual state or area the Agent is located in. We teach in over 20 states and the individual real estate board and commission rules change from state to state. Very few states allow for an "offer" to stay an "offer" when submitted to the lender for a Short Sale request. When a customer service or loss mitigation rep stands firm on wanting a contract before they'll do anything in the SS, they have no idea what this entails from a Listing or Buyer's Agent's perspective. Submitting multiple offers is one thing, and many brokers absolutely prohibit this practice. Submitting multiple contracts with both the Buyer's and the Seller's signature in place (fully executed, but subject to lender approval), when the subsequent contracts (or offers) aren't even in a backup status can cause serious hemorrhaging to the process. Let me clarify. We have never had a lender not require both the Seller's and Buyer's signature on a contract when submitted. In most states, having both signatures signifies an executed or reatified contract, subject to final lender approval. If an Agent sends mutliple contracts, they, in most states, are in serious violation of their rules. By stating that multiple offers are being submitted entails that the Realtor is treating their Short Sale transaction like a dart board, just throwing offers at the lenders like darts, hoping one sticks. This is bad business and, in many ways, perceived to be highly unethical. One of the reasons why Realtors are required to be involved in these transactions, represented to the lender by a Listing Agreement included in the hardship package, is to procure the best contract that meets the lenders expected net thresholds and determine which contract (HUD attached) will be submitted to the lender. The problem with this scenario is that most Realtors are heavily relying on the lenders to tell them what they need to net, so this further supports why most Realtors think they only control 0-20% of these transactions. To the lenders, the most important thing to them is their bottom line net and if multiple offers (not even executed or ratified) are being submitted, this just confuses all parties in the transaction, especially the many Buyers who are anxiously waiting for a response, when their offer should have never been submitted to the lender in the first place. Realtors have to submit all offers to their client, but too many Realtors unfortunately think that all offers have to be submitted to the lender or servicer, not just their Seller.

We also know that most Realtors don't know the preferred or required expected net thresholds for the lenders and servicers, based on the type of loan their client has. Are you aware that working an FHA Short Sale requires you to know 3 unique percentages that the bank must net based on how long the property has been marketed for? The numbers are only applicable for HUD/FHA Short Sales, AND only following the acceptance of the homeowner into HUD's formal pre-foreclosure sale program, as evidenced by HUD Form 90045. Are you also aware that going active in MLS just after the listing appointment might be the source of your biggest frustration in your Short Sale?Most Realtors simply don't know how and when to apply the 88%, 86%, and 84% thresholds. Unfortunately, they run the risk of losing their commission. Unlike FHA thresholds, the VA and Conventional thresholds are different.

The CDRS Certification Program teaches Realtors how to apply the unique net thresholds and determine what the MLS list price is, what the bottom line net has to be to all lenders involved, and what the lowest offer can be, as well as a million other unique tips, tricks, strategies, and techniques. America's Home Rescue also just integrated a new valuation model discussing a 7-year trend on where most BPOs and appraisals come in at on a 0-10 scale, as compared to where Realtors typically value the property, based on both the active and sold comps. Unfortunately, too many Realtors are submitting contracts (or offers) that will never be accepted to begin with, or that will cause a huge negotiation war with the lender. We’re doing what we can, in conjunction with the National Association of Realtors, as well as other government entities, to clean up what we can. I swear, it’s like turn the Queen Mary with an oar!

Join us, as well as 5 other industry experts, in the upcoming first-of-its-kind NAR REALTOR University Webinar Summit on September 22! Become a CDRS Member TODAY and see how much more there is to learn about this topic. You WILL experience the paradigm shift, other CDRS Members are experiencing, guaranteed!

Short Sale Quiz of the Day: When do you go active on MLS on your Short Sale listing, based on the type of loan the Seller has?

Michael Spickes

America's Home Rescue

Founder of the CDRS Certification Program

Realtors, take a look at this certification. You will be absolutely amazed at how much you can learn through this program! Next classes begin September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Get $100 off for a limited time.

www.CDRSCertified.com

Not an NAR Designation

Should you call yourself an Expert?

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:10:49 -0500

Well stated. Elayna!

Via Elayna Fernandez - Marketing Expert - Naples FL (Designed 2 Impress, Inc.):

Yes! … and Nooooo!

What is an Expert?

Copy-pasted from TheFreeDictionary.com

ex·pert n. A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

Read more at Wikipedia.

It’s really NOT like being a rocket scientist! It shouldn’t be that intimidating.

Are you an Expert?

Be honest!

Are you more knowledgeable than many in your field?

Do you have more experience than many in your field?

Could many past and current clients attest of your skills?

Do other professionals in your field refer to you?

Have you “been there, done that”?

Do you find yourself giving advice to others in your profession?

Do you know your audience, market and market trends?

Do you know the answer to most problems that may arise in your field?

Are you innovative and resourceful?

Do you have credentials and a proven track of success?

Well, I think you will find out that, like Seth Godin says: “Everyone is an expert about something” and that you ARE an Expert whether you market yourself as such or not.

Isn’t that bragging?

I’m sure you’ve seen under qualified competitors get the job you deserve because they were boastful and not afraid of “tooting their own horn”. A little confidence goes a long way. When expressed, that is. If you don’t list your credentials and highlight your experience, no one will ever know. Your customers can’t read minds!

And yes, your awards and designations do communicate how committed you are to your profession.

Does it make sense?

Branding yourself as an expert is kind of nice! People trust experts, listen to experts and follow their advice. You create a name that sells for itself.

When does it work?

A brand is a promise and your prospects want to know that you are qualified to deliver what you promise. The question is…What do you promise? This is the defining element. This factor will determine why all the “bragging” will work for one and won’t for others. “It’s not what you can do, but how you can help them!”

It works when you establish how your competencies will work for your prospects and when you focus on benefits and not features.

It works when you tell them how your know-how will add value to their business, their lifestyle, their pocket...

It works when you translate everything into terms of “what this means to you is…”

Is it THAT simple?

‘Course not! After communicating your proficiency, you have to actually deliver. Backing up perception with action is what really pays the bills. It’s why you see many are number one on Google and number “where is their name?” on the sales reports. Poor follow up and poor performance.

Does it have to be “Expert”?

Some prefer “Leader” or “Specialist”. Some even call themselves “smart”. Some are "the best" or have an “Ask (insert name)” website. The truth about the word Expert is that is derived from Latin that means “Experienced”. You could have been the smartest in your class, gone to Medical School and specialized in a particular area…if you never practiced…would you be the Expert?

So…should I?

Yes! If you have what it takes and will continue to reinvent yourself to live up to the title.

No! If you are afraid you won’t be able to perform under Expert’s pressure.

But one thing I’m sure of, you should let your prospects (and even your competitors) know what you bring to the table and how your uniqueness works towards delivering your brand’s promise. If you are not able to tell others how wonderful you are at what you do, then, who is?

Best,

Your Branding Expert

For more information, connect with me:

My Website| Positive Mommies Network | E-mail | Facebook | Twitter

About the Author:

Elayna Fernandez is a proud mother, founder of the Positive Mommies Network, blogging/social media/web design instructor, and marketing/branding strategist. Her company, Designed 2 Impress, is dedicated to assisting individuals and small businesses in creating successful and consistent brand and achieve their marketing goals.

Thank you for taking the time to reading my post. Have a powerful day!

This article is intended to educate and it constitutes the sole intellectual property of Elayna Fernandez and Designed 2 Impress. Any full or partial reproduction or duplication without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited and will be considered copyright infringement.

Exciting News from America's Home Rescue: AHR-Trained Agents are automatically eligible for Short Sale Listing Assignments through SAM Online Lead & Sales System!

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:11:16 -0500

Exciting News from America's Home Rescue AHR-Trained Agents are automatically eligible for Short Sale Listing Assignments through SAM Online Lead & Sales System!

August 13, 2009

To our community of trained Short Sale specialists: America’s Home Rescue (AHR) and Special Asset Management (SAM) are mutually supporting each other’s efforts in addressing the national foreclosure crisis. As a result, AHR & SAM are collaborating to provide an exciting opportunity for real estate agents who have been trained through America’s Home Rescue. So, who is SAM? SAM connects financial institutions with leading real estate experts who have regional market knowledge and extensive local networks.

Within the next several months, SAM anticipates receiving a surge in Short Sale assignments, directly from lenders and other financial institutions. As part of the AHR/SAM agreement, Agents who have already completed AHR’s Short Sale training will be provided the opportunity to immediately become part of the SAM network and be eligible to receive these assignments directly from SAM. The minimum education requirement to participate in this exciting opportunity is the successful completion of AHR’s online virtual training course, produced by AHR, as well as the SAM orientation training module. SAM may provide to you direct Short Sale listings in your area if you participate in this program. Normally the registration fee is $250, but AHR was able to secure special pricing – only to AHR-trained Agents! Here are the specifics:

1. If you are an AHR-trained Short Sale specialist, you are automatically enrolled in SAM’s online lead and sales system and this makes you eligible to receive Short Sale listings directly from SAM!

2. It is imperative that Agents receiving assignments from SAM are equipped with the most recent online education and training, offered by AHR. Current AHR Coaching Club members, CDRS members, and Agents who have taken AHR’s live or online training anytime after January 1, 2009 will be required to pay a one-time registration fee of only $20 if the Agent chooses to accept the Short Sale listing assignment offered by SAM.

3. New AHR customers, or existing AHR customers who took AHR’s live or online 3-Hour Course prior to January 1, 2009, will be required to take AHR’s 3-Hour live or online virtual training course before receiving assignments from SAM. The cost of the online course is only $39.

Important Recommendation: Lenders and other financial institutions want to be assured that the Agents receiving these assignments have been properly trained and have received the most recent education, provided by America’s Home Rescue. SAM and AHR highly recommend that Agents who don’t meet the education requirement immediately take this course in preparation and anticipation of receiving Short Sale assignments.

4. Additionally, in order to be eligible to receive direct Short Sale assignments from SAM, an Agent must also complete SAM‘s free standard on-line training module for real estate agents which is intended as an orientation to the functionality and process of SAM’s online lead and sales system.

5. Participation in the SAM online lead and sales system is voluntary and AHR-trained Short Sale Agents will not be required to pay any fees until they choose to accept assignments from SAM.

SAM needs the expertise that AHR’s trained Agents possess in both Short Sales and REO listings.

We are delighted to be sharing this opportunity with our colleagues throughout the United States. Thank you for continuing to be such an important part of the mission of America’s Home Rescue.

Wishing you all the best~

Michael & Stacy Spickes and the America’s Home Rescue Team

2008/2009 NAR Convention Speakers & Panelists

For more information, CLICK HERE.

RISMedia article applauds Short Sale Certification ~ Next Online Webinar Class begins July 7th!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:27:59 -0500

RISMEDIA, June 18, 2009-Larry Orr, of Realty Executives Gulf Coast, has recently completed advanced Short Sale education to provide the highest level of service and expertise to his clients. The intense training program was offered by America’s Home Rescue through Realty Executives International in Phoenix, Arizona.

America ’s Home Rescue offers the Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS) Certification Program, which provides all of the tools, resources, and support to leverage the knowledge and skill gained by going through the CDRS training program. The CDRS designation allows those who have really embraced education and taken the initiative to become skilled in Short Sales to be recognized in the industry by homeowners, lenders and other real estate professionals.

“As a Certified Default Resolution Specialist, I am well equipped with the most advanced and extensive pre-foreclosure training and support system in today’s challenging real estate market. I can help people explore different pre-foreclosure options in order to find the solution that works best for the homeowner and their lender,” Orr said. “It was an incredible experience to participate in this concentrated learning program.”

For more information, call 251-968-4300 or visit www.RealtyExecutivesGulfCoast.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

CLICK HERE for RISMedia Article

For more information about becoming a Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS), or to complete your online application, CLICK HERE

Short Sale Marketing Tip! Most Sellers don't want to sell... initially.

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:57:18 -0500

You could be causing upwards of 80% of your target market not to call you, because of what you might be saying through your advertising. During the first 4 years of building our business in Short Sales, and even to this day, we discovered a flaw in our conversational approach with prospective homeowners who were calling off our newspaper and commercial advertisements. Here's what we found and we can almost guarantee that this tip will help you. It was often that the very first question a homeowner would ask us, when calling off of an advertisement, was "Hi, I saw your ad. Would you please tell me more about what you do?" I found myself wanting to talk about everything under the sun that I did in my real estate business, especially talking about how our primary focus was to save homeowners from the devastation of foreclosure by helping them to sell their home through something called a Short Sale. Amazingly, I has numerous people hang the phone up on me after I told them I could help in assisiting them to sell their home. This is what was very interesting and as soon as we changed our approach, it drastically effected our business, in a very positive way. What we found is that 8 out of 10 homeowners who called us off of an advertisement absolutely did not want to hear, at least for the first 15-20 minutes of the conversation, that we (our company) provided services in helping homeowners to sell their home if they were behind on their payments. In a nutshell, this was simply an alternative they weren't ready to consider, yet. No matter how far behind on payments a homeowner is, or how dire their situation is, most homeowners want to believe that they can still stay in their home, regardless. I will tell you right now that if we sense that a homeowner can continue to stay in their home, and they just need a little help from their lender, either through a loan mod, or whatever their lender is offering, then we'll do everything to keep them in their home. Unfortunately, we also know that many homeowners, regardless of how you slice it, will ultimately have to sell.

So, if you are marketing for prospective short sale leads, and you mention anywhere on your advertisement that you help Sellers, who are potentially facing foreclosure, to sell their home, there is a very good chance you're causing upwards of 80% of your target audience not to even pick up the phone and call you, because they aren't ready to sell, yet! When you get on the phone with a distressed Seller, listen carefully, seek to build the trust and rapport, and then, when you feel the moment is right in your conversation with them, talk about the possibility of them selling their home via a short sale.

Have a great one!

Michael Spickes

America's Home Rescue

2008/2009 NAR Event Speakers and Panelists

Get your CDRS Certification TODAY! www.CDRSCertified.com

Interesting finding! Marketing Tip for Short Sale Leads

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:46:28 -0500

During the first 4 years of building our business in Short Sales, and even to this day, we discovered a flaw in our conversational approach with prospective homeowners who were calling off our newspaper and commercial advertisements. Here's what we found and we can almost guarantee that this tip will help you. It was often that the very first question a homeowner would ask us, when calling off of an advertisement, was "Hi, I saw your ad. Would you please tell me more about what you do?" I found myself wanting to talk about everything under the sun that I did in my real estate business, especially talking about how our primary focus was to save homeowners from the devastation of foreclosure by helping them to sell their home through something called a Short Sale. Amazingly, I has numerous people hang the phone up on me after I told them I could help in assisiting them to sell their home. This is what was very interesting and as soon as we changed our approach, it drastically effected our business, in a very positive way. What we found is that 8 out of 10 homeowners who called us off of an advertisement absolutely did not want to hear, at least for the first 15-20 minutes of the conversation, that we (our company) provided services in helping homeowners to sell their home if they were behind on their payments. In a nutshell, this was simply an alternative they weren't ready to consider, yet. No matter how far behind on payments a homeowner is, or how dire their situation is, most homeowners want to believe that they can still stay in their home, regardless. I will tell you right now that if we sense that a homeowner can continue to stay in their home, and they just need a little help from their lender, either through a loan mod, or whatever their lender is offering, then we'll do everything to keep them in their home. Unfortunately, we also know that many homeowners, regardless of how you slice it, will ultimately have to sell.

Have a great one!

Michael Spickes

America's Home Rescue

Get your CDRS Certification TODAY! www.CDRSCertified.com

SAM and America's Home Rescue Partner - Bank-Directed Short Sale Leads, anyone?

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:36:22 -0500

SAM and America's Home Rescue Partner
SAM - 6/10/2009

Special Asset Management (SAM), a Saratoga Springs, New York-based company that provides real estate-related services to the financial industry, and America's Home Rescue (AHR), the premier trainer of real estate agents in the specialized area of short sales, today announced a formal partnership to assist major mortgage lenders and government agencies in reducing the number of foreclosures in the United States.

The SAM /AHR collaboration furthers the Obama Administration's announced objective of emphasizing alternatives to foreclosures through the Making Home Affordable program, and thereby lessening the negative effects of the mortgage crisis on families, communities and lending institutions. "The combined capabilities of SAM and AHR make for a total package of services wherever homeowners are facing difficult choices in making mortgage payments", noted Michael Dean, SAM ‘s Chief Executive Officer. "It's never an easy situation, but there are usually ways we can help people avoid the pain and the financial devastation of a foreclosure".

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced new incentives last month for lenders and borrowers to find alternatives to foreclosures, including short sales, through which properties are sold for lesser amounts than their mortgage balances. Austin, Texas-based AHR has already trained over 20,000 realtors across the United States, in educational seminars and on-line modules that SAM CEO Dean calls "hands-down, the most practical and effective short sales training available".

SAM works with a host of major national lenders to sell properties that are in foreclosure or whose owners appear to be headed that way, through a network of over 80,000 agents who have registered to handle distressed assets. The new partnership will offer AHR's short sale training to SAM‘s current roster of agents, greatly expanding the national capacity to provide pre-foreclosure solutions. "It's wonderful to have access to SAM ‘s current panel of experts-the needs are so great", AHR President Stacy Cunningham Spickes said. "The additional knowledge that our training provides makes a significant difference in getting workable solutions to all parties."

Realtors who have already completed AHR's short-sales training will also have the opportunity to become part of the SAM network. "Now we can give our students knowledge and support them with direct business leads through SAM", AHR President Spickes noted. "Up to now, they've had to solicit the short sales work themselves."

Become a Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS) through America's Home Rescue's Advanced Short Sale Training Curriculum. 3 Unique Levels are Offered for Realtors and other Real Estate Professionals. www.CDRSCertified.com

"Stacy and Michael,

Wow, what a great class..my only complaint is too SHORT! I have taken several short sale courses including a designation course. But your class made everything come together in a way that was easy to understand and process. I received as much from your class in 3 hours as I have gotten in a 2 day class!

Also, please let me know when you come back, I have a number of agents that can benefit from your classes and we all need them!

I am so looking forward to your webinar and receiving all the information you have to offer. What an amazing thing you are doing! I look forward to seeing you again!"

Tracy R.

Manager

RE/MAX

New CDRS (Short Sale) Certification Program is Expanding Quickly! See how other Realtors are comparing this to other certifications. Get the right education TODAY, be successful tomorrow!

Tue, 19 May 2009 10:06:54 -0500

CDRS Testimonials

Let's face it, the topic of Short Sales can be a complex subject and YOU deserve the right education. It is a proven fact that most real estate professionals, who think they have had enough Short Sale education, say that what is learned through America's Home Rescue's program are strategies that many instructors often struggle to understand and/or teach, or don't know altogether, because they simply don't have the practical experience, necessary to understand and navigate the complexities of these transactions. America's Home Rescue teaches from over 6.5 years of practical "in-the-trenches" experience and is bringing an entire new perspective to understanding Short Sales. Over 95% of real estate agents, who attend their course, say that much of what is learned through this program isn't taught anywhere else in the real estate industry. Knowledge is power! Get CDRS Certified TODAY. Take a look at what others are saying about the program.

What are the CDRS fans saying?

"Stacy and Michael,

Wow, what a great class..my only complaint is too SHORT! I have taken several short sale courses including a designation course. But your class made everything come together in a way that was easy to understand and process. I received as much from your class in 3 hours as I have gotten in a 2 day class!

Also, please let me know when you come back, I have a number of agents that can benefit from your classes and we all need them!

I am so looking forward to your webinar and receiving all the information you have to offer. What an amazing thing you are doing! I look forward to seeing you again!"

Tracy R.

Manager

RE/MAX

"You know the old saying, “she doesn’t know how much she doesn’t know?” Well they must have been talking about me! The course was awesome! Now I understand how much I didn’t know. You and Stacy should be very proud of this course and all the hard work you’ve put into it. What’s really great is that I am able to put to work what I’ve learned immediately. I hope you will be offering topic specific, continuing education webinars for those of us who have taken the course. It will help to keep us fresh and on top of the short sale market. Thank you so much."

All the best,

Terry R.

Keller Williams

"Thank you for the fantastic information. As a new realtor I feel that you have provided me with the knowledge, now I can get the experience!!

I look forward to receiving my packet.

By the way, each time I have had contact with your office staff they have been wonderful."

Margaret C.

Century 21 New Millennium

___________________________________________________________________________

"I thought the classes were great! Really learned a lot and feel confident that I now can handle short sales competently and professionally. There was a lot to learn in the last session."

Cheryl G.

Realty Executives North Shore

"Thank you for such great information. You talked about checking on judgments before you started the process. I never thought of this before. When I got back to my office after the webinar, I got a call from escrow on one of my short sales. There are two judgments against the ex-husband that need to be satisfied. I should have checked the prelim more carefully. This is a tough lesson but it just reinforces your expertise in this arena. I wish I had taken your course before. It is excellent."

Michelle L.

Realty Executives

"Best course attended in 30 years! A brilliant presentation & logical framework for practical application in our day to day business endeavors. Michael & Stacy Spickes delivered difficult generalizations & concepts with crystal clear clarity while displaying great humanity & contagious conviction to succeed. Not gimmicky but solution oriented. Three cheers for Prudential Leadership for arranging the sharing of their talent with us!"

Linda Babineaux

Prudential Gardner Realtors

"This seminar could not have been more relevant and timely! We have to change the perception out there that foreclosing is the only option available for people in over their heads."

Kim Kantrow

Prudential Gardner Realtors

"Learning about Short Sale Solutions today was invaluable. As a realtor with Prudential Gardner, once again, we are educated and trained to assist our clients in current market conditions . We really do have the tools to “change people’s lives” in a very positive way."

Susan Mizell

Prudential Gardner Realtors

Get your CDRS Today and experience the education you deserve! Next online "Live" classes begin Tuesday, May 19th! Sign up now.

www.CDRSCertified.com

This is the first Short Sale Certification Program that recognizes Realtors and Closing Specialists (Escrow, Title, Settlement) for their unique level of experience in the industry. This certification is not a NAR designation.

America's Home Rescue

2009 NAR Legislative Panel Speakers

Housing Opportunity Forum

New online mapping system plots certified Realtors on a national map!

Mon, 18 May 2009 23:27:34 -0500

It's the first online geospatial mapping system of its kind that allows Realtors and other real estate professionals to be plotted and recognized for their acquired education and expertise. View it at www.CDRSNetwork.com.

America's Home Rescue

2009 NAR Legislative Panel Speakers

Housing Opportunity Forum

CDRS is not a NAR designation.

New Online Geospatial Map identifies Certified Realtors, including their contact information, and even in specific Zip Codes!! Homeowners and Realtors already using it to locate CDRS Members. It's the first of it's kind for Realtors.

Sat, 02 May 2009 12:29:55 -0500

CLICK HERE to check out this cool new mapping system!

Testimonial:

"Just wanted to let you know that the mapping system is already working. I just received a call/referral from a lady in the process of being CDRS certified. Her brother wants to purchase a short sale house in Florida and I was the closest agent to him on the map she could find. When the deal is consumated I will pay her back a referral fee so it's a win-win for all. Thanks again for creating the mapping system and for the coaching program. With this referral and the ones I'm getting from my Arizona agent I'm creating business where I never would have received any in the past...."

Terry Brand

RE/MAX Unlimited

Short Sales: Too many Realtors are claiming to be "certified experts", and they don't know what they don't know! America's Home Rescue (2009 NAR Panel Speakers) is doing something about it. CDRS!

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:57:09 -0500

It's a fair assessment, something too many real estate leaders are beginning to discover. Too many Realtors are claiming to be "experts", and they don't know what they don't know!

America's Home Rescue has partnered with several national real estate companies, including the REALTY EXECUTIVES and The Realty Alliance, consisting of 68 individual firms around the United States (over 105,000 sales agents) in introducing the Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS) designation to the real estate community. While this is not an NAR approved designation, senior members of the NAR education committee have audited much of the course content in the program and have said there is nothing else like it anywhere on the market. A Realtor who goes through this program not only understands Short Sales at a very finite nuts and bolts level, but why things, both positive and negative, occur in a Short Sale transaction, either at the fault of their own, or via the lender. Realtors do so many things in these transactions, they don't even know they're doing, that cause unnecessary delays, frustrations, obstacles, and commission losses.

Each Realtor, certified under the new CDRS program, also has their professional geocoded bio plotted on the first online geospatial mapping technology of its kind. Senior members of real estate brokerages say that the number one distinguishing difference is that the owners, Michael & Stacy Spickes, have been in the trenches working Short Sales for over 7 years and have personally experienced all the down-falls, obstacles, and frustrations of these transactions, and have built a business from the self-designed systems and processes, derived from many, many mistakes. They are also working with Fannie Mae, HUD, and Freddie Mac to establish new guidelines in how lenders and Realtors work together in these transactions. Get ready!!!

Too many Realtors are calling themselves experts in this market, but when they are questioned about the many technical aspects and nuts-and-bolts of working Short Sales, they have no idea how to answer appropriately, or even understand why the things they're experiencing in the transaction occur. This is scary! In truth, these Realtors don't know what they don't know! America's Home Rescue receives phone calls from Realtors almost every day expressing their frustration in working with other Agents that are holding themselves out to be "certified experts", yet, when asked simple transactional questions, they have no understanding of how to effectively answer. If Realtors, regardless of their certification, are going to "walk the walk", then you also need to "talk the talk", by truly understanding the finite nuts and bolts and all the technical details of working these transactions and how to actually build a business in what too many consider to be too challenging of a market. If Realtors are positioning themselves to be certified experts, the rising argument is whether or not they actually are an "expert".

Become a CDRS Elite Member of the 2009 National Short Sale Coaching Club. Join us on the call for a "Sneak Preview" of what will be considered the most advanced and elite team of Realtors working Short Sales in 2009!! Too many Realtors are allowing themselves to become way too vulnerable to this market, because they let others dictate what they should and shouldn't do, or because they haven't aligned themselves with the right group of professionals who have like-minded goals and aspirations. Sadly, these Realtors return to corporate America only to have their greatest undiscovered entrepreneurial strengths go to waste! With the government bailout, and many other efforts to attempt to save hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure, there will still be a very large number of them who simply can't afford to stay in their home. You must be ready and properly trained to take advantage of what many Realtors consider to be the greatest opportunity they have seen in a lifetime! If this sounds interesting, you are strongly encouraged to do your homework and join us on this call!

Michael & Stacy Spickes

America's Home Rescue

To register for one of our upcoming calls, please visit the CDRS Calendar at www.CDRSCertified.com

Breaking News!! ALL-New National CDRS Certification Program Launched with Advanced Geospatial Mapping System ~ 3 Unique Membership Levels Available ~ Information Webinar Session (Thursday, April 9th) ~ Join us on the call!

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:00:16 -0500

Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS)

The most advanced, substantive, practical, nuts-and-bolts, preforeclosure education and training system on the market TODAY! Everything under the umbrella of this program is derived from 15+ years of experience working pre-foreclosure (Short Sale) transactions. It even has the "ear" of Fannie Mae and NAR.

*1-Hour CDRS Info Session*

Join us for a Webinar on April 9 Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/159329038

America's Home Rescue has finally launched the much anticipated CDRS Certification Program!! Please join us for this information-packed webinar session as Michael & Stacy Spickes discuss the exciting details of the CDRS Certification Program and the extraordinary opportunity this presents for you and your business!! The course material content has been audited by the National Association of Realtors and America's Home Rescue is currently working with members of Fannie Mae in an effort to bring recognition to our CDRS Members. Get ready! Apply TODAY!

Please be sure to hop on the call according to your time zone:

9am Pacific Time
10am Mountain Time
11am Central Time
12pm Eastern Time

For more information and to apply for your CDRS Certification, visit www.CDRSCertified.com

We look forward to having you as an integral part of the CDRS community!

Wishing you all the best~

Michael & Stacy and the America's Home Rescue Training Team

Title: *1-Hour CDRS Info Session*

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements PC-based attendees

Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

The benefits of the CDRS Certification

The CDRS Certification demonstrates to your customers, competitors, suppliers, staff and investors that you use industry-respected best practices, specifically in pre-foreclosure transactions.
Holding the CDRS Certification means that you are holding, what many national brokerages and organizations consider to be the most thorough, advanced, nuts-and-bolts, substantive, pre-foreclosure training and education curriculum on the market. The CDRS Certification represents a level of excellence, acquired either academically, or through practical experience, in the pre-foreclosure field. The demanding journey to achieve the CDRS Certification helps to ensure that professionals who provide services in the pre-foreclosure arena receive the highest quality preparation and training, and through continuous participation in professional development activities and resources, provided by America’s Home Rescue (AHR), to keep up with rapid changes in our profession’s scope of practice. The process of achieving and maintaining the certification also helps ensure that you are continually improving and refining your knowledge and activities.
The CDRS Certification can and will improve overall performance, remove uncertainty and widen market opportunities. The benefits of implementing the systems and processes, derived from years of practical experience, aren’t just internal. Promoting your CDRS Certification to customers and other stakeholders can also have significant benefits for your business.
Tens of thousands of real estate professionals already trained by America's Home Rescue have expressed an interest in acquiring the CDRS Certification and can now obtain these credentials.

Why choose the CDRS Certification?

America’s Home Rescue (AHR) is recognized by many key real estate groups as becoming the nation’s leading professional, credentialing, and training company for basic, intermediate, and advanced pre-foreclosure education, back-end support, and coaching.
AHR’s training staff, including its founders, have been in the trenches working pre-foreclosure transactions for a combined 15+ years and remain in the business, as licensed Realtors, experiencing the day-to-day obstacles and frustrations that are typically experienced by real estate professionals working with delinquent borrowers and their lenders around the nation. Unlike other certification programs, where the trainers or founders haven’t committed themselves to working the types of transactions they base their credentials on, the CDRS Certification Program is completely built on a foundation of experience and acquired expertise.
AHR is focused on analyzing and building a unique niche in pre-foreclosure transactions, while discovering new solutions and developing new techniques and concepts to pass on and enable real estate professionals to be successful. All of AHR’s training and education is derived from their practical, in-the-trenches, experience. AHR teaches from the perspective of both the Listing and Buyer’s Agent in the transaction and there is no other education and training program like it on the market. Practical experience, combined with a powerful training curriculum, allows AHR and the CDRS Certification Program to excel and be recognized like no other.
AHR continues to collaborate with both local and national brokerages, various government entities, including the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae, consumer advocacy groups, and national lending institutions, in an effort to find and create solutions to the ongoing foreclosure crisis and to create a synergistic, holistic solution to bringing together all the necessary parties that are typically associated with a pre-foreclosure transaction.
AHR’s certification standards are based on acquired skills, knowledge, and/or practical experience involving Realtors, escrow and settlement officers, mortgage brokers, local and national lending institutions, and the National Association of Realtors.
With the introduction of the “CDRS Pay-it-Forward Program”, AHR is committed to giving 10% of ALL proceeds, produced through the CDRS Certification Program, back to the community, through charitable organizations, pre-selected by AHR, and chosen by the CDRS Member through the application process.

There is so much more!!

We will also be telling you about a full marketing package suite being offered in conjunction with the CDRS Certification Program!! Exciting!

Join us on the call!

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/159329038

ALL-New National Pre-foreclosure Certification Program, with ALL-New Online Interactive Geospatial Mapping Technology, just days away from being Launched by America's Home Rescue (2008/2009 NAR Speakers) - Sign Up Now to be Notified

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0600

Attention ALL Agents!! Sign Up to receive Immediate Notification

Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS)

The most technologically advanced pre-foreclosure certification program on the market is just days away from being introduced!

CLICK HERE to enter your name and email.

You will be NOTIFIED the Day this Program is Launched.

After nearly 2 years of speaking and consulting with members of NAR, various state and national real estate associations and organizations, and the individual local and national brokerages and Agents, America's Home Rescue (2008/2009 NAR Speakers) is just days away from offering our trained Agents a Certified Default Resolution Specialist™ (CDRS) Certification, which awards you, the Realtor®, a unique distinction of being an accepted member of a powerful national network of licensed real estate professionals equipped with the most advanced, substantive, nuts-and-bolts pre-foreclosure training and support system in the today's challenging real estate market. As a CDRS™ Certified Member, you will have a distinct and highly-recognized advantage that gives Lenders, Homeowners, and other Agents and Brokerages in your region the ability to recognize your acquired training and education, while having the ability to make clear and confident choices in working with you, a CDRS™ Certified Real Estate Professional. You will be recognized for personally investing in your pre-foreclosure education and you will have the necessary knowledge, tools and resources required to successfully facilitate pre-foreclosure solutions.

America's Home Rescue will offer 3 unique membership levels, all requiring different levels of education and experience.

CDRS™ Silver Member

No prior Short Sale closings required!!

CDRS™ Gold Member

You will gain national recognition for both your advanced training and practical experience!!

CDRS™ Elite Member

Exclusive for America's Home Rescue 12-Month Coaching Club Members!!

ALL CDRS Memberships include ALL-New CDRS™ Agent Network Map

using

Online Interactive Geospatial Mapping Technology

The first of it's kind in the real estate industry!!

Each CDRS™ Member will have their location, personal bio, and contact information plotted, down to the Zip Code level, on the CDRS™ Agent Network map, the first online interactive geospatial mapping system of its kind for homeowners and lenders to search and find you when they need a CDRS™ Certified Professional.

You can be the first CDRS Member in your Zip Code!!!!

What will be included in ALL CDRS Memberships?

Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS™) Certification
Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS™) Certificate
Professional Listing on ALL-New CDRS™ Agent Network, an Online Interactive Geospatial Mapping System
Short Sale Solutions: An Instruction Guide for Real Estate Agents (Third Edition)
CD with Short Sale Packages (PDF) for over 50 Lending Institutions
Directory of Loss Mitigation Contacts for over 50 Lending Institutions
FREE LifeTime Subscription to Lender Contact Updates
Short Sale Software Calculator Desktop Program (Windows or Macintosh)
Unlimited Access to Short Sale Solutions Q&A Forum
CDRS™ Logo (CD: .jpg, .bmp, .eps, .pdf, .tif file formats)
CDRS™ Shirt Pin
LifeTime Membership to Market Updates Newsletter

Benefits of the ALL-New CDRS Certification:

With the new CDRS™ Agent Network, an Online Interactive Geospatial Mapping System, homeowners and lenders will have much easier time finding you, which translates into more business!
Credibility with the Loss Mitigation Departments of the Major Lenders
Potential Short Sale Lead Generation as a Result of Being a Member of the CDRS™ Agent Network
Credibility with Homeowners in Default
Access to the Online, Short Sale Question & Answer Forum, Moderated by AHR's Short Sale Experts.

Plus so much MORE!!

Minimum Requirements for the ALL-New CDRS Certification:

Note: Other requirements may be necessary depending on the membership type.

Completion of America's Home Rescue Online Virtual Training Course (Transaction ID from Email Receipt required for CDRS™ Application), OR Applicant has attended a LIVE Short Sale Solutions Course, no later than July 1, 2008.
Completion of CDRS™ Online Application * Membership in the AHR Online Q&A Forum (FREE)
Completion of the Annual Refresher/Policy Updates Online Course by AHR
Active REALTOR® License, or Escrow/Closing Officer

Cost of ALL-New CDRS Certification Program:

Details will be released the day the program is launched. Let's just say it will be the most affordable and technologically advanced pre-foreclosure certification program on the market, backed and equipped with the most recognized and advanced training and educational support system available TODAY, packing a tremendous amount of value and opportunity for ALL Agents into the program, regardless of experience!

To earn the CDRS™ Designation, Agents will be required to fill out a simple online application and provide the appropriate documentation for approval. We look forward to and certainly consider it a privilege of working with you in the near future as a CDRS™ Member!

The Training Team at America's Home Rescue

There are so many more details that haven't even been released yet!! Sign up NOW to be Notified!

CLICK HERE to enter your name and email.

You will be NOTIFIED the Day this Program is Launched.

Your Invitation to Join the 2009 National Short Sale Coaching Club with America's Home Rescue (2008 NAR Speakers) with the ALL-New "You-Pick-Your-Plan" Payment Program

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:54:44 -0600

We are excited to announce to the Realtor community that we are gearing up for the launch of our 2009 National Short Sale Coaching Club, beginning January 12^th of next year. In the wake of our invitation to speak on Sunday, November 9^th, at the 2008 NAR Conference in Orlando, which was standing room only, we have received many requests from Realtors, NAR officials and other national and state associations, including national brokerages, to help prepare their Agents for 2009 by providing continued education and support in what is considered to be the hottest topic in our industry. As a result, this coaching club will be our 6^th program to launch since 2006 and, not only have we added extra coaching assistance, which consist of our most experienced coaching members, we’ve also made the necessary modifications to the format of the coaching program to really focus and place a lot of extra emphasis on the Short Sale market in 2009. It’s going to be exciting!

This email serves as your personal invitation to become a member of what will be THE elite and most advanced Short Sale Coaching Club of 2009 for Realtors in the United States. With the continued support of many national lenders, the National Association of Realtors, many national brokerages, and numerous national and state real estate associations, the members of the 2009 Short Sale Coaching Club will truly gain recognition as the most knowledgeable and well-trained Realtors working Short Sales in the market and building other real estate businesses. That’s right! This program isn’t just about Short Sales. It’s about building a great business, while taking advantage of your greatest strengths!

Our team will only accept a certain number of members into the program, as too many members will dilute the main mission and purpose of our objectives and goals. If you are interested in the program, simply reply to this email stating your interest. We will contact you shortly after. One more thing you may want to consider is joining us on one of our upcoming webinars to discuss, in detail, what the 2009 National Short Sale Coaching Club is all about. Here are the dates, if you would like to register and hop on to the call.

Monday, December 8, 2008 (7:00pm – 8:00pm CST)

Monday, December 15, 2008 (7:00pm – 8:00pm CST)

We sincerely hope that we can walk along side you in helping you take advantage of the many opportunities 2009 will offer for Realtors. We’ve been building our business for 6 years and we’ve never seen an opportunity like this!

Click HERE to view more information about the program, enrollment forms, and information on the ALL-New "You-Pick-Your-Plan" payment program.

Once again, we look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Michael & Stacy Spickes

America's Home Rescue

512.261.9200 Office

512.275.6267 Fax

888.699.9222 Toll-Free

michael@americashomerescue.com

www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz

This Instruction Guide includes all of the Short Sale Packages in PDF and Loss Mitigation Contact Information for over 51 Lenders - Realtors consider it the "Short Sale Bible", as it is the ONLY resource in the United States to include this information

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:34:50 -0600

The most common response from a Realtor when asked "How do you know what the bank needs in a Short Sale and how do you get the package?" is "I just call the bank!" Well, guess what? You're wasting too much time waiting on customer service and the banks typically take 2-6 weeks to deliver the documents to you and your Seller. In many states, you don't have that kind of time due to an aggressive foreclosure process! America's Home Rescue has spent 6 years intercepting all of the required Short Sale packages for every bank they have ever worked with, including who to contact and where to send the package to, and ALL this information is included in the Instruction Guide. The Instruction Guide also includes a password code for the user to access updated information on their website at www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz, in case fax numbers, or contact information changes for banks, which it does constantly.

Now, you can email the package directly to your client and have them complete the required package contents before you even get the bank involved. Do you realize how much time and headache this saves you?!

Realtors, stop waiting on the banks to tell you what they need! You're wasting too much time. We provide everything you need in one manual! Here's a copy of the list of banks we have packages for and their loss mitigation contact information.

Order your manual TODAY. Click Here

Realtors, if you don't know the answers to these questions about Short Sales, it is no wonder that you might be experiencing big frustration and time delays in your transactions.

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:02:02 -0600

The extent to which a Realtor can't answer these questions likely indicates that the Realtor might be walking blindly in their Short Sale transactions and, unfortunately, may be experiencing too much unnecessary "drama" and too many time delays. Please ask yourself the following questions.

1. Do you know the main difference in shorting a VA, FHA, or Conventional Short Sale?

2. Do you know the specific bank net thresholds for each type of loan you're shorting, without relying on the bank to tell you, so that you know where to price the property and know what offers you should and shouldn't be submitting to the bank?

3. Do you truly know which bank to short first on a Short Sale with 2 mortgage liens? Is it the 1st, or is it the 2nd? Is it both? Hint: Realtors too often make mistakes in the sequence of this approach and too many Realtors are shorting the wrong lender first.

4. Do you know the unique difference in the required components of a Short Sale package for a VA, FHA, or Conventional loan?

5. Do you know when to go active in MLS based on the type of loan you're shorting? It depends on whether it's a FHA, VA, or Conventional Short Sale?

6. How do you know what the bank needs and how do you get the required Short Sale documents, without relying first on the initial communication with the bank?

7. How much do you rely on the bank to tell you what to do next in your Short Sale?

NAR: Short Sales Solutions for REALTORS®

By Laura Melcher

Attendees at NAR's 2008 Conference & Expo "Short Sales Solutions" session busily scribbled notes throughout the 90-minutes talk led by the husband-and-wife team of Michael and Stacy Spickes.

Through their company, America’s Home Rescue in Austin, Texas, Michael and Stacy have spent the last four years facilitating short sales, and they have offered more than 200 short sales training sessions for companies, brokerages and REALTOR® associations, with a goal of reducing foreclosure rates across the nation.

The session highlighted five keys to closing short sales, as follows:

1. Knowing the correct steps in the process, depending on the type of loan. (The order of steps is also different depending on the loan type.)

2. Knowing what different lenders require in a short sale package, and submitting the required documents quickly.

3. Knowing what lenders’ bottom-line net percentage is for a short sale.

4. Knowing what banks will or will not approve in the buyer’s purchase offer.

5. Forming good relationships with loss mitigation reps at banks, in order to facilitate short sales approvals.

The Spickes team offered an extremely informative session, packed with information (slides are available their Web site). They emphasized that short sales are a win for everyone – sellers, banks and buyers – and that getting the education necessary to effectively manage a short sale is the key.

America's Home Rescue has recently launched their online course, which holds the answers to these questions. Please visit www.ShortSaleSolutionsVT.biz to take the course. It's amazing what you get for only $39.

NAR Event puts FREE Q&A Forum for Realtors on the Map ~ www.SSSForum.biz

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:20:42 -0600

It is the first and only 360 degree Short Sale support forum on the market for Real Estate Agents around America. Why is it popular? This forum is moderated by many of the most experienced coaching members of America's Home Rescue around the country, from the East to the West coast. It's great for Listing Agents. It's great for Buyer's Agents. It's great for Realtors that have never worked a Short Sale before, and it's great for the experienced Short Sale specialist. Log on to see it and to believe it.

Common Discussions and Thread Topics include:

1st and 2nd Lien Short Sales

VA Short Sales

FHA Short Sales

Short Sales for Buyer's Agents

Short Sale Processing Tips

Short Sales on 2nd/Investor Homes

Much more...

Go to:

www.SSSForum.biz

Brought to you by America's Home Rescue

In the News!! America's Home Rescue Launching 6th 12-Month Coaching Club on January 12th, 2009 in the wake of NAR Speaking Event at the 2008 NAR National Convention in Orlando ~ Realtors are ready to take their business to the next level!

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:32:31 -0600

2009 Twelve-Month Short Sale Coaching Club

brought to you by America’s Home Rescue, LLC

~ Speakers at the 2008 NAR National Convention ~

Fellow Realtors^®… Gear up for 2009!!

Don’t try to build your business alone... Let’s build it together!!

How it works:

We will begin by setting goals for creating a business in Short Sales and then identify how to reach those goals. We will work with you on generating leads and perfecting your Short Sales transactional skills so that you will leave our program with the necessary tools and resources to build a profitable business in Short Sales. After a year in our program, you will be an expert in Short Sales and will have the tools to create a niche in this quickly growing pre-foreclosure market that will produce clients for a lifetime!

Included in the Program:

¨ Eight Information-Intensive 3-Hour Online Webinar Sessions with Michael and Stacy Spickes

¨ A Copy of Short Sale Solutions: An Instruction Guide for Real Estate Agents (ALL-New Third Edition)

¨ A Copy of the New and Improved Short Sale Calculator Software Program

¨ Samples of Marketing Materials and Assistance in Developing Your Marketing Campaign

¨ Scripts for Conversations with Homeowners, Loss Mitigation Reps, Prospective Buyers and Their Agents

¨ Unlimited Phone and Email Access to Michael & Stacy Spickes and the Coaching Team During the Twelve-Month Program

¨ Mentoring in the Various Aspects of Building Your Short Sale Business and Navigating Each and Every Step of Your Short Sale Transactions

¨ Upon Completion of the initial Eight Online Webinar Coaching Sessions, all Coaching Club Members will receive an Audio CD Set of the Recorded Sessions

¨ Includes Exclusive Membership to the 2009 Short Sale Coaching Club Google Online Forum

¨ Immediate Designation as a Certified Default Resolution Specialist ~ (CDRS)

What will be covered:

¨ Lead Generation

¨ Components of Effective Marketing Materials

¨ Most Effective Marketing Mediums for Short Sales

¨ Building an Effective Referral Business for Short Sale Leads

¨ Scripts for Conversations with Homeowners

¨ Building a Rapport with the Homeowner

¨ Qualifying a Short Sale Candidate

¨ Distinguishing Between Qualified & Quality Leads

¨ What Situations to Avoid in Short Sales

¨ Calculating the Short Sale List Price

¨ Calculating the Estimated Time to Foreclosure

¨ Putting Together an Effective Short Sale Package that Will Get the Bank’s Attention

¨ Understanding the Loss Mitigation Process

¨ Negotiations with the Bank

¨ Negotiations with Buyers and Their Agents

¨ Maximizing Your Earnings in Short Sales

¨ Finding Buyers for Your Short Sale Listings

¨ Time Management and Setting Boundaries

¨ Updates on Foreclosure Market Activity, State and Federal Legislation, Bank Policy and Lending Practices

¨ Building an Effective Short Sale Team

¨ Lifetime Value of a Short Sale Client

¨ DISC Profile Facilitation

Sessions: Mondays, 11am to 2pm CST

Jan 12^th

Jan 26^th

Feb 9^th

Feb 23^rd

Mar 9^th

Mar 23^rd

Apr 6^th

April 20^th

Investment:

$5000 (spouse or partners pay only $2500)

Terms of Payment:

* Option One: Full payment before Program begins

* Option Two: $1500 down and 6 equal monthly payments of $650 each

Our 2009 Coaching Team

Ready to join us in making a difference???

Our country is experiencing an unprecedented foreclosure crisis… Realtors^®, let’s do our part in reducing foreclosures!!!

This program isn’t just about Short Sales... it’s about building a great business!!

Simply send us an email with your contact information and “I’m Interested!” in the subject line to:

Coaching@AmericasHomeRescue.com

America’s Home Rescue

~ Reducing the Rate of Foreclosure…One Homeowner at a Time ~

3616 Far West Boulevard, #117-354 Austin, Texas 78731

(512)261.9200 Office ~ (888)699.9222 Toll-Free ~ (512)275.6267 Fax

www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz

Florida Association of Realtors discovers new Short Sale Training Company at 2008 NAR National Convention

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:40:01 -0600

NAR: Realtors help buyers, sellers, with short sales.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 11, 2008 – When families lose their homes to foreclosure, communities, the housing market and the economy all suffer. Short sales are one way that some troubled homeowners can avoid foreclosure, a topic discussed by Realtors at the Short Sales Solutions session, part of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) 2008 Conference & Expo in Orlando. “Homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments must have more options available to them to avoid foreclosure,” said NAR President Richard Gaylord. “Short sales can benefit not only the homeowner in question, but also buyers, lenders and the surrounding community. With their established lender relationships and insights into complicated real estate transactions, Realtors can add real value for both

sellers and buyers interested in short sales.”

A short sale is a transaction in which the seller’s mortgage lender agrees to accept a payoff of less than the balance due on the loan. The lender often receives a higher amount of the remaining loan balance than it would from the sale of the property after a foreclosure. This helps support home values in the surrounding community. Short sales also help homeowners maintain some level of credit.

According to Freddie Mac, 50 percent of homeowners entering the foreclosure process did not have any contact with the lender first. One of the most valuable services Realtors can provide to clients who may be facing a foreclosure is guiding them through the lender’s short sale process and facilitating communication, according to session panelists Michael and Stacey Spikes of America’s Home Rescue.

“The process for short selling an FHA loan is different than the process for shorting a Veterans Administration or conventional loan,” said Stacey Spikes. “Knowing the type of loan the seller has, and understanding the proper steps for short selling that loan and the order of those steps, is critical.” Homeowners who are having difficulty making their mortgage payments and who may be considering a short sale must generally meet three qualifying criteria: they must be behind on their payments, be able to prove a legitimate hardship, and have little or no equity in their home. While a typical real estate transaction involves two real estate professionals, a seller, a buyer, and the buyer’s lender, a short sale can include all of these parties in addition to the seller’s loan servicer, housing counselor, junior lien holders, mortgage investors and mortgage insurers. In addition to the number of parties involved, Realtors say that other challenges can make short sales difficult. These include burdensome paperwork, appraisals that do not consider the sellers’ duress or the number of foreclosures in a community, over-burdened loss mitigation departments, and complications created by second mortgages.

NAR has created a working group to examine the problems and difficulties surrounding short sales and to educate its members on how to best work with their clients through this process. NAR is also reaching out to its partners in the housing and mortgage industry to encourage adoption of principles and practices to streamline the short sale process.

“Short sales give many families in financial difficulties the possibility of salvaging their credit and avoiding the embarrassment of a foreclosure,” said Gaylord. “Realtors across the country stand ready to help.”

For more information, visit www.ShortSaleSolutions.biz