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So I told Wes Foster.....No More Short Sales

I have been tossing this issue around. I probably have worn out my welcome with some subscribers.

Sorry.

I just can't let it go.

The multiple listing service in this area is becoming clogged with short sales. I know some of them are being done in an orderly fashion. I know that most of them are not. I know that some of those being done in an orderly fashion have no assurance from the lender that they will review any offers.

Well, I think there is only one group that can put a stop to the madness.

It is us.

I have written Wes Foster (the big guy at Long and Foster) and asked him to institute a company wide ban on taking any short sale listing that have not met the following guidelines:

a complete short sale package has been presented to the lender(s)
a detailed approximation of the property value has been sent to the lender(s)
a communication has been received from lender(s) that they will consider offers

If we draw the line in the sand, we will then be offering homes that are actually available for purchase to consumers. The public, as well as, agents have the right to transparency regarding these listings.

It is time all agents began to take another look at the costs of listing homes that can not sell.

If we clear the clutter from the multiple listing service, we may move towards reducing the viable inventory that is on the market.

Some one has to step up. I hope Wes Foster takes the lead.

Posted by John MacArthur on 04/16/2008 10:41 PM

Comments (25)

short sale, mls, buyers market

This post has been included in Maryland Information
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25 Comments on So I told Wes Foster.....No More Short Sales

APR

2008

Totally agree with you - I think all Multiple Listing Services should have these guidelines.

Great post and definately a hot button issue for me. I wrote a post on a business week story that I found on this exact topic. I personally think it is best to get bank approvals upfront. I'm making an effort to steer all of my clients away from short sale listings until conditions improve.

Your absolutely right! Short sales are a nightmare...the banks need us so bad and they don't even know it! It is really absurd...I think the bankers are in such denial about the market that it is clouding their judgement. Except reality pay us a fair commission and move on. We are in control of the buyers now and they don't want to accept that!

So I agree...stand your ground.

Yep!! Definitely some changes need to be made... It's SUCH a pain to deal with Short Sales as it is now... Thanks for posting this!

The mls's don't have the authority to make these types of guidelines. What I have found that sellers are listing their homes that are short sales with incompetent agents. I just wrote on one with a listing agent not in my area who said she gave it to somone else to negotiate with the bank (not the same offices) This agent markets herself as an expert. There was another offer submitted before mine and the agent said it was $5000 more than mine and she gave me an addendum putting my buyers is back up position. I am not an expert with short sales but I said it is not she or the seller's decision to put someone in back up position the offer is suppose to be submitted to lender and they make the decision, the other offer came in at a much higher price with $15,000 credit back to buyers. We then wrote a counter offer which is what she should have used and raised the price equal to the other offer without a credit and I have not heard back from her! This is what bothers me!

John, having recently been burned by Ocwen (and hence burning my client), I must say that I like your proposal.

And here I am your neighbour from up northand I've heard people posting about 'short sales' left right and center, AND I Don't have a clue really what they are.....I know they're talked about hand in hand with foreclosures.....I think i'll have to look it up on Google! But I'm guessing we're lucky we don't have them here...yet...

APR

2008

Great idea JMac! Until reading this, I had no idea that lenders were refusing to respond to short sale offers. I steer clear of these for the most part. Why would a broker even consider taking a listing with no chance of closing?

John: I couldn't agree with you more. I just posted a blog to our Northern Virginia Long & Foster group about needing a day trip just to reset. I have become a pain in the a** for my Broker about this issue as well. I am trying to be positive by educating the agents in my office and in my local association. I've collected all the short sale information I can, and I really think the missing link here is 100% us. I'll send a letter to Wes too. The more the better. Garbage in=garbage out, right?

Hey, if Wes says "No" you always have a chair waiting for you in Colts Neck, New Jersey my friend. I'll make the coffee and you'll regale me with stories from your civil disobedience days.

APR

2008

Kim - Thank you. It can begin with you. We can stop the madness one agent at a time. We just have to believe.

Katie - I think that is another method of handling this situation. I do the same.

Bill - The change in commission, which is a tort violation to introduce, is a small problem compared to the problem of everyone accepting that each of us can choose to enter whatever we want in the MLS.

Jonelle - Thanks for your support.

Jean - It is difficult to measure competency when there are no rules or guidelines. I can't blame agents totally when everyone is on a different page.

Tchaka - I know how you feel. I appreciate your comment.

Liz - By all means google them before they begin making an appearance in your area. At this point, they are similar to grizzlies....we know what they are and it is best to steer clear of them.

Jennifer - good question. I suppose the answer can be found in the same place that you might discover why young men buy young women drinks all night without a chance of closing. It has something to do with the mentality that accompanies those that perceive the law of averages always work.

Chris Ann - Now you make me proud.......thanks for your support.

Andrew - It was a nostalgic moment the other night when Barack Obama was being challenged over a relationship with one of the leaders of an old group I was in. Ah, in my day...we knew how to protest.

That's a wonderful answer! It actually answers another burning question I had :)

That would let the banks and mortgage companies know that they need to develop some guidelines.

With 40% of the market share of listings, that would go a long way to helping clean out this mess. Of course, he wouldn't have any control over other brokers, but it would be a start.

APR

2008

You are too true. In addition, I think many Agents are taking these short sales because they just want to be paid and make some cash. Luckily, there is an alternative that may work for many of you.

The Auction Method of Marketing. At least in Maryland, there is one firm that has developed a method to help Agents & Sellers alike to alleviate the burdens and headaches of going through the short sale process.

The people at TRAC completely handle the process from start to finish (or wherever you left off). For the referral of the property, they pay a handsome commission or referral fee (however you like it to be called).

If you dont know exactly what your doing, the short sale process can be daunting. If you have these types of properties or issues, you should refer it to someone who knows their way around and has established relationships with many of the prominent lenders already.

Check out www.tracauctions.com if you would like to see more about or just get back with me here.

MAY

2008

John, I agree with you. I think some sellers (and agents) are trying to climb on the short sale bandwagon, and do not have a clue as to what is involved.

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