Este artículo está dirigido a todas aquellas personas, propietarios de residencias, que están pasando por una situación económica difícil y por lo cual se han visto forzados a dejar de hacer los pagos mensuales de la hipoteca (mortgage).

La venta corta es una opción que puede ayudar a las personas que tienen un balance de hipoteca mayor que el valor de la propiedad y que pueden demostrar que su situación financiera a cambiado radicalmente debido a pérdida de trabajo, muerte de un conyuge, incremento de gastos médicos debido a enfermedad, etc.  En este caso, si el banco decide considerar la venta corta, el banco recibiría menos dinero del que el dueño debe. 

Lo mas importante, primero que todo, es contactar a su banco para que ellos tengan conocimento de su caso y puedan ayudarlo a analizar otras alternativas que le puedan ayudar a evitar la pérdida de su casa.  Si su mejor opción es la venta corta, contacte inmediátemente a un agente de propiedades (Realtor) que tenga experiencia con este tipo de casos.  Este proceso de venta es bastante dispendioso y toma mucho tiempo.  Parte del éxito depende de la cooperación del dueño de la casa y el agente para recopilar toda la información requerida por el banco para analizar las ofertas que se reciban.  

Recuerde, cada situación tiene sus alternativas.  Busque profesionales honestos que lo puedan asesorar y NUNCA trabaje con “expertos” que le exigen pagar por adelantado para obtener consejeria.  

Really?  I just got a listing and my client is upside down facing a short sale.  When I was reviewing their home information I realized that they are paying about $2,000 more that they should have in property taxes.  They are paying commercial/investment tax rate on their primary home.  They bought this house, their first home, 3 years ago directly from the builder and now they are loosing it.

It is sad to see how buyers sometimes think that they can get a better deal on their own.  Some don't realize the added value that they get when they work with a trust worthy realtor that will represent their best interests.  I wish we could all get to them before they get unrepresented to the negotiation table. 

A few weeks ago I had a closing with a past client.  I met him last year and soon after we found the a property that he bought as his primary home. With the believe that this market is full of good investment opportunities, he asked me to keep my eyes open for another good investment opportunity.  He worked hard for a little longer than a year to save enough money to buy another property.  A week after we closed, I called him and he tells me that he already rent it!  I could not be any happier to know that he is taking advantage of the opportunities that this market has for those who decide to see the bright side.  With interest rates below 5%, and plenty of inventory to choose from, there isn't a better time to buy and invest in real estate than NOW!

I stumbled upon a Food Network channel program while I was eating dinner tonight.  To my surprise, Spartanburg's Inn on Main was being featured in the Gingerbread House Challenge, which takes place every year at the Grove Park Inn, in Asheville, NC.  This year, the gingerbread houses will be on display from November 19, 2008 to January 11 2009 Monday through Thursday.  Better yet, make dinner reservations during the weekend to have access to display from Friday through Sunday.  This will event will definitely be in my to do list for this season...

Even though I later realized that the program was a rerun, t was very nice to see how Spartanburg has been featured more that once in the Food Network and also magazines such as This Old House, Southern Living, etc. 

Maria Tascon