Good news for buyers and the housing market. These changes are effective when the President signs the bill. The credit offers several new features, including a $6500 credit for people who are not "first time" homeowners and a binding contract rule which will take away some of the pressure in April, 2010 when the credits are scheduled to expire. See the chart below for a summary:
This video had me laughing and crying at the same time.
As agents who list REO properties and also represent entry level buyers who are frustrated by the system, this video sums it all up and hopefully will remind all REO listing agents that we must rise above the insanity and do things right - every time, with every offer ... or simply say "no" to more listings.
We're still in "yes" mode, but if this is ever us, we're done!
I was reading a blog this morning by an REO listing agent who was baffled (and very upset) by the number of calls she gets for status on her REO listings, despite her warnings not to do so in the MLS. She promises that her listings are kept current daily and goes on to say that a property is always "active" until the seller executes final documents. That is absolutely true and also the problem.
This process from the seller selecting an offer to final seller acceptance can take 3 - 7 days. In the meantime, all other offers are effectively ignored, rejected or "held in back up".
As an REO listing agent, we update our listings daily, but and this is the key - we provide the information that buyer's agents are calling about so they don't have to call. Here's an example:
10/01/09 - Multiple offer situation. Highest and best were due yesterday. Bank has countered one offer and rejected all others. Paperwork is with buyer. Property will remain "active" until both buyer and seller execute. We welcome your offers and if this working offer is not executed, we will contact all agents who submitted an offer to confirm your buyer's commitment to their originally submitted offer.
And while we still get calls, we don't get nearly as many because we give them the information they are calling about, and as such - we are able to return our calls and maintain our relationships with our valued realtor partners.
Another tip - we used to get calls asking us "How many offers do you have ... where do we need to be?" Now, we answer in the MLS.
10/01/09 - Property is active - please show and submit offers. We welcome your calls, but we will not disclose the number of offers or offer amounts we have received. Please do not submit any offers without first showing the interior of the property to your client.
We must realize that we are all in this together and help make each other's jobs easier so we can serve our buyer and seller clients more effectively.
A report released by the Office of the Controller today, lenders are worker harder than ever to help homeowners avoid foreclosure with loan modifications. However, they report that more than 50% of homeowners who completed loan modifications in the first half of 2008 had fallen behind on their payments again.
For homeowners facing foreclosures and considering a loan modification, diligence is key.
This month, the State Bar of California launched a number of investigations into misconduct related to loan modifications. Some unscrupulous attorneys have allegedly taken fees, but failed to perform the services they promised.
According the State Bar of California website, about one-quarter - almost 800 cases - of the active investigations in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OTC) are related to foreclosure complaints.
Be careful out there - many scam artists and others simply out to make a quick buck without the proper expertise, are affiliating with attorneys in order to collect advanced fees and seem more credible to the public.
No, I'm not talking about real estate commissions, but rather a great article a friend emailed me this morning and asked me to forward. Since I don't like forwarding email, I thought it best to share in my blog. Here it is:
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio:
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more."
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?". 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
It's estimated 93% won't share this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves
I have a personality flaw. Actually, I have many ... but this one I will admit.
I am an "all or nothing" person. In life, like in poker, I find myself either "all in" or "completely out". And when there is an exception to this rule (when I find myself in the middle of in and out) ... I take on incredible stress.
Understanding this personality flaw, I am able to control (control is another personality flaw for another blog) some outcomes.
In work, I'm usually "all in" ... but again, this is not a post about real estate or work ... so enough of that.
This blog is about fitness. Celebrating my 40th this month reminded me that while I still "feel" 21, my body is most certainly feeling 40.
So for my birthday present to myself, I bought the home fitness series, "Insanity" by Shaun T. What appealed to me when I bought it was that it did not require any equipment - no weights, pull up bar, etc. I also liked the challenging element and intensity of it.
The best surprise so far is that I enjoy the workouts. I'm on Day 17 and haven't missed a beat. I actually look forward to the work out because it's short (about 40 minutes), intense and the stretches are a welcome, relaxing break from the bursts of insanity between them. And because I look forward to them, I'm "all in" and that's a good thing for exercise.
Do I have weight loss or other goals tied to all of this? For a change, no. I decided just to enjoy the process, exercise every day and see what happens.
So why did I write a blog on this topic? Mostly as a testimonial for a great workout series that appeals to someone with an "all or nothing" personality type. Secondly, as a personal commitment to keep it. And lastly, to remind myself that when I feel stress, the root is probably lack of commitment or being in a state of limbo.
With so many properties getting multiple offers in the first few days - many from cash investors, how can a traditional buyer with a conventional or FHA loan compete?
First, be patient and don't get attached to any one house. The chances are you will be outbid.
However, if you want to increase your chances, here are some tips. As REO agents who get a lot of calls, emails and offers on our own listings, these are the things that make a buyer and their agent stand out.
1. Make contact. Ask your agent to make a personal contact with the listing agent. This is not always possible, as many busy REO agents don't return calls or emails, but it's always worth a shot to build rapport and try to gain insight into the number and strength of other offers.
2. Be concise. Ask your agent to prepare a short, concise email with their offer that conveys the following:
a. Amount of offer
b. Pre-approval with a direct lender
c. Buyer has seen house and is committed to the purchase
3. Send a complete package. Put together a complete offer package, typed with the listing agent's information filled out on the forms. Be sure all initials, dates and signatures are complete. Be sure to include your pre-approval letter and proof of funds required to close.
4. Follow up. Be sure to follow up the same day to make sure your offer was received. So many times, email and faxes are unreliable ... not to mention the human element of processing so many offers.
5. Stay in the game. Even if you don't get the property, don't give up. Ask your agent to follow up with the listing agent, just in case it falls out of escrow. Sometimes it's the "last buyer standing" who gets the property when it falls out of the first escrow.
And most importantly, find a good buyer's agent and stick with them. Don't try to work with 20 different listings agents, hoping that will give you an advantage. Ethical listing agents present all offers and the best offer wins. We often submit offers for our buyers on our own REO listings that are beat out by stronger offers. The advantages of working with the listing agent are easily resolved by following the tips in this article. And the advantages of having your own advocate and agent working for you on ALL properties are far too numerous to list in this article.
Delayed until November 2, 2009, FHA is changing the way condo projects will be approved. Under the new rules, there will still be an "FHA Approved" list, however all prior approvals will be invalid unless approved on or after October 1, 2008. For condo projects not on this list, FHA will start from scratch approving a condo by one of the following two methods:
Note: The "Spot Approval" process will be eliminated and replaced by these two methods.
DELRAP (Direct Endorsement Lender Review and Approval Process) gives an Underwriter the power to approve a condo locally. The approved lender provides HOA documentation (CCRs, Budget, HOA Management Company Questionnaire, Insurance, Reserves, etc.). The Underwriter reviews the documents and makes a decision. The lending community is hopeful that this process may be easier than in the past.
HRAP (HUD Review and Approval Process) utilities the same documentation as DELRAP but puts the approval process on HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). This may prove to be very time consuming.
Once a unit is approved in the project, we believe the project will be added to the FHA approved list. Going forward, all projects will require recertification every two years.
In order for a project to be approved, the following guidelines (among others) must be met:
1. At least 50% must be owner-occupied 2. No more than 10% can be owned by a single investor 3. No more than 25% of the total floor space can be "commercial" 4. No more than 15% of the units can be more than 30 days behind on their association dues 5. Project must be covered by hazard and liability insurance 6. There must be adequate "reserves" to cover contingencies
As a first time home buyer counting on using the $8,000 credit, it's time to act. The tax credit is due to expire on November 30, 2009. Unless the credit is extended, escrows closed after November 30, 2009 will not qualify.
In other words, a buyer would need to be in contract soon since only 90 days remain. Will Congress extend it? Maybe, but if you're counting on the credit, I wouldn't mess around and I would certainly stay away from short sales if you hope to close on time.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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