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Don't fall into a foreclosure pit.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

Entering into foreclosure may feel like you're falling into a foreclosure pitFalling into a foreclosure pitForeclosures in Winchester, VA have fallen to 9% of the current active listing market, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet.  Our previous 30 day marketing report included 51% distressed property sales.  Depending on the resource you use for your daily updates, the foreclosure market is either declining or increasing.  It's no wonder that homeowners don't know what to do. 

Don't fall into a foreclosure pit.  There are a few things a homeowner can do to avoid foreclosure.

  • Have you lost one or more sources of income?
  • Are you current on your mortgage payments?  If not, are you far enough behind that catching up would take a miracle?
  • Are you receiving letters from your lender encouraging a short sale or threatening foreclosure?
  • Have you become a prisoner to your mortgage?  You can't take a vacation, save for college, pay your living expenses on time or sleep at night.
  • Has your home become a burden rather than a blessing?
  • Has maintaining your home caused your credit to begin a downward spiral?
  • Is keeping the home causing the family dynamics to become strained and combative?

Falling into a foreclosure pitThis list could be longer, but you can easily see how an impending foreclosure could affect you and your family.  There are a couple ways to relieve yourself of a home that is heading for foreclosure.  You can contact your lender and offer a deed in lieu of foreclosure.  That basically means that you will voluntarily give the house back the lender and walk away.  The lender has to agree to the deed in lieu, and it is less expensive for them to accept the house under these conditions than it is to go through foreclosure.

Another option may be a short sale.  In a short sale, your lender allows you to sell your home at a discounted price.  Make sure you hire a short sale agent that has successfully navigated through the short sale process.  It is a tough decision to face, but if it comes to a short sale in Winchester, VA, call Cornerstone Business Group, Inc., and we will help you through the process.

 Don't fall into a foreclosure pit.  We can help you through this difficult time.  There are brighter days ahead, and we can help you get there.  

 

Comments(6)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Good Morning Mike, this is a very good bklog as i have seen a horrible trend of people who purchased in 2010 who are now on the foreclosure auction lists. It still can happen and home owners need to aware of their choices and where to get help. Have a great Friday.

Mar 08, 2012 10:00 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Hello Mike, the saddest part is that many foreclosures could be avoided if people just knew about all the other options! Many times they did not know or fear paralyzed them.

I'm looking at the glass half full and think the 9% is great news!

Mar 08, 2012 10:44 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Mike. Great information and your insights are right on the money. No home is worth the heartache many suffer to keep it. Have a great weekend.

Mar 08, 2012 10:48 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Scott.  I did see a wave here where homes were going into foreclosure in the first year.  The owners never made a payment in many cases.  How does that happen?  Have a great weekend.

Andrea, I was pretty excited about that number until I did a 30 day close report.  In that report, 51% were foreclosures and short sales.  I guess I need to go back and see how many "pending" contracts are short sales and foreclosures.  Hopefully, this 9% is the beginning of a trend.  Wouldn't that be nice?

Thank you Sheila.  I hope you have a great weekend too!

Mar 08, 2012 11:39 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Mike, well we can argue that even the 51% is good news! Things are moving along - short sales are closing and we are getting REO properties off the market. Glass half full :-)

Mar 09, 2012 06:47 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Andrea, I did a report this morning and the distressed listings currently available in the area have dropped to 6.65%.  That was a big surprise.  Good days ahead!

Mar 09, 2012 11:35 PM