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HUD Homes Still Require Originals in Blue Ink - You Are Playing Old School, HUD!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

Why does HUD still require originals and blue ink?  This is getting ridiculous. As the real estate industry moves forward with being able to scan a clean contract into a PDF instead of faxing where the contracts shrink, in addition to many people using digital signatures and doing everything via email and phone, sometimes from out of state, why does HUD still require the contract to be in their office as signed originals with blue ink?  Why are they scared to accept an email?

Blue inkI submitted my online bid last Thursday. We found out first thing Friday morning that our bid was accepted.  I immediately rearrange some things so I could get originals signed and over to the HUD office so we didn't have to do it over the weekend. I followed the instructions to a T.  What happens?  I get an email late Friday saying they need a new "original" contract signed in blue ink because I need to remove the financing information.  I replied back asking why the financing would be removed when the instructions explicitly say how to fill out each line. Her response was that those are old instructions from years ago and HUD never updated them. I've sold HUD homes in the past and don't recall having an issue with the finance numbers being on the contract. After all, there are blanks for the numbers to go and the instructions say so.

Anyway, I had the pleasure of making the hour and a half trip once again because they wouldn't just accept a PDF. It's 25 minutes to my buyer's office, 15 more minutes from her office to the HUD office, and then the 40 minute drive back home. 

Gas is at $3.69 a gallon... why won't they accept something besides the Originals in Blue Ink?  According to my GPS, I spent $35 in gas for those two trips to the HUD office.  I think commissions for HUD homes need to go back up to 5%!! I think the coalition for less emissions should speak with them about not making people drive around for nonsense!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

donna harris Realtor Austin TX blog

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

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Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
*HUD Homes Still Require Originals in Blue Ink - You Are Playing Old School, HUD!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Comments (5)

Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I'm on the same time frame as you. Had the offer accepted last Friday...got the paperwork done and overnighted. Then got an email Wednesday that I had to make changes. Overnighted the package from Colorado to Texas, again. In our little town we don't have overnight service, so I hope it gets there in time. I emailed my contact to let him know about the situation. I agree, it would have been easier to scan and email the documents.

Apr 14, 2011 03:18 AM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Absurdity. Not sure what else to say. I hope it works for you and your clients!

Apr 14, 2011 03:59 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Donna...that's interesting, I don't give my originals for anyone in 40 years. Yes they are behind the times. I seldom ever use Blue ink with a Contract, always Black for reproduction clarity. Did you know you can scan in colour.

Good Luck trying to change that Rule...try twittering Mr. Obama

Have a great day!

Apr 14, 2011 04:28 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Donna, some parts of the processing of a real estate transaction are so inefficient almost like going back to the 1950's. What is going to happen as far as agents balking when gasoline is $5 a gallon???

Apr 14, 2011 04:30 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Debbie, No overnight service? YIKES!

Holly, We had to overnight a check yesterday to get the house de-winterized... maybe they have stock in FedEx!

Fred, I love blue ink so I can tell if it was a copy, but don't care one way or the other. Yes, you can scan in color, but the files are much larger when you do.

Gary, I would have sent the contracts to my buyer to sign on her own and told her to drop it off if gas was $5 a gallon!!  :)

Apr 14, 2011 08:03 AM