Michigan has been in the news a lot recently when it comes to depreciating real estate, record foreclosures, unemployment, declining new home starts, etc., etc.  You can choose to listen to all of the pessimism and sink back into your scarcity mode or you can choose to look for solutions and have an attitude of abundance.

I spoke to our local home builders association (www.glhba.org) last night and talked about creative solutions that builders can employ to move homes without dropping the sales price and still make a profit.  These strategies are not new, i.e. Trades, Lease Options, Land Contracts, etc, but putting numbers to it and quantifying the end results does make a difference.  When you have real numbers to work with, you can make better decisions.

In times like these, especially in Michigan, everyone needs to be open to new ideas or at least open to new solutions.  One company that is capitalizing on the increasing foreclosure market and helping the seller, the Realtors, and the bank is EZ Home Ownership Realty, LLC (www.ezhomeownershiprealtyllc.com)  They have become experts in negotiating short sales with mortgage banks. 

The short sale benefits: 1. the seller because it prevents a foreclosure, 2. the bank because they may end up getting more money prior to foreclosure than at the sheriff's sale, 3. Buyer's Agent, if they bring a qualified buyer to the seller, they will receive a commission, 4. Listing Agent, they will receive a commission for finding a buyer. 5. the neighborhood because the value of the home doesn't drop as drastically as it would in a foreclosure sale.  There are many more tangible and intangible benefits of a short sale but needless to say, this is a strategy that is being used and becoming more accepted by mortgage banks' loss mitigation departments.

These solutions may require a little more work to close and in some cases we may not realize the benefit immediately but some business is better than no business.  If you structure these strategies correctly, you'll be in a better position when the market turns and you'll have established yourself as a trustworthy professional and that will go a long way.

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6 Comments on Uncertain Times Require Creative Measures

NOV
06
2007
Nice. Think ahead.
2:36pm • #1
4 Featured Posts
Thanks Evan for a positive and fact-filled post referencing Michigan!  Creativity is definitely the name of the game as we try to sell here.  Homes are still selling; that fact seems to be overlooked a lot.   The veterans in this business say they have seen this maket before and it will normalize.  Think good thoughts for spring! 
2:38pm • #2
I read yesterday act or be acted upon.I think we have to be creative in times like this.
2:42pm • #3

Positive mindset + proactive action = success in any market

 Life happens people regardless of interest rates, etc.

2:43pm • #4
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It is time to think outside the box -- however, before people rush to a short sale, it is best for them to call their lender -- and see if they can work something out -- they should try to call even before they miss the first payment.  Short sales are not all that great for the buyer because they still have to pay a lot of taxes in some cases.
3:01pm • #5

Joan,

You're correct in your feedback, sellers should be in communication with their lender whenever they anticipate a missed payment.  That's why I would recommend a company that has experience and expertise in negotiating with lenders on a short sale.  It is important to note that not all banks will be willing to negotiate but more and more of them are becoming open to it.  Another thing that should be negotiated is the forgiven deficiency.  Some banks will come back after the sale and pusue a deficiency, which means you'll be responsible to payback the difference in the short sale.  These things need to be negotiated up front and in writing.

I'm not sure what you mean when you said the buyer will have to pay taxes in some cases?

3:56pm • #6

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Evan Vanderwey, The Cashflow Coach

Okemos, MI

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