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Truth or Dare? Time for the truth!

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions"

Truth or Dare!  Ever play that game?  Well it has come time for the TRUTH! 

The West Michigan market has seen it's share of "Short Sale" and "Foreclosure" homes with some bargain priced and others less of a value because of the extensive repairs needed to bring them back to a livable home.Foreclosure

I have buyers that entrusted their faith in me and my knowledge as a HUD broker.  I have agents within my company that list "Bank Owned" and "Short Sale" properties.  I list and sell "Short Sale" properties myself...which means knowledge and understanding of client situations and the knowledge to deal with lenders and the HUD bid process is key.

It takes more than words, it takes knowledge to deal with the complexities of the "Short Sale" and "Foreclosure" market. 

It also takes a buyer who is ready to purchase.  The "Truth" is there are some great deals out there for a buyer who has the right representation and is ready to take advantage of an opportunity.

How can you be ready?

  • Have your qualification papers ready from your lender.  It has to be submitted with your offer.
  • Have your funds ready so you can place an earnest deposit with your offer.  The typical for a HUD home is $1000.00.  If you are a cash buyer you have to have proof of funds with your bid.
  • Be on the "New Listing Alert List" so you know about every home coming to the market that meets your requirements...everyday...be first to see and first to bid!
  • Be ready to write or electronically submit your bid or offer immediately after finding the right home.  Know what you want and be ready to react when you find it!
  • If you see the right home don't think your low ball offer will buy it!  Bid to get your dream home...make sure your bid is the one accepted.  Use the knowledge and experience of your agent....they have done this before with other clients.  Take advantage of their knowledge...throwing in a low ball offer when you are bidding may give the serious buyer the chance to bid close to the asking price on that "Special Home"...and your bid will be rejected!
  • Know your market and use your agents knowledge to help you, it takes more than the truth it take the DARE to be right!

I read an interesting post today and have to give credit where credit is due.  Laurie Mindnich...she discusses using the right agent and why...this may give you some help in selecting your next agent based on more than words.  Check out what Laurie had to say.  http://activerain.com/blogs/laurieatoptionsrealty

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Thanks for stoppingIf you are thinking about buying a "Foreclosure" or "Short Sale" home and you are not under contract with an agent or company call or email...I am "Short Sale Certified" with specialized training and an authorized "HUD" broker.

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free:  877-667-4699
Local: 616-784-2360  Email:
garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Roland, many times if a property does not have the SS submitted you are in for a long wait!  Thanks for the comments Roland.

Feb 01, 2009 05:01 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Jason, I can see why it may be a bit of a quandary.  HUD is our Housing and Urban Development arm that gets back bank properties that were foreclosed.  This is part of the federal guarantee to banks.  Once the lender forecloses and has not sold the property they get money from HUD and give them the property in exchange.  Then HUD markets the property.  A bit simplified but you get the idea.  Thanks for the comments Jason.

Feb 01, 2009 05:08 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Cindy and Lisa, hope this helps you both...we have to educate to sell and in this market the more the buyers knows the easier it is for them to buy the right home when they see it...or it could be someone else's!  Thanks for the comments.

Feb 01, 2009 05:10 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Laurie, you had a great post and felt the two should be linked, thanks for allowing me to include your link.

Feb 01, 2009 05:11 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Russ, Elizabeth and Tim, thanks so much for your comments, understanding the market and helping buyers understand what it is going to take to reach their goals is key to their success.  Being ready to react when the right property comes up is part of the process.  Thanks again for the comments.

Feb 01, 2009 05:14 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Teri, thanks for your comments...being ready and understanding the value when you see it is "Priceless"!

Feb 01, 2009 05:17 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Drew, appreciate your comments, I didn't mention it because I took for granted agents would share the time frame process...but you are right...many do not and the buyers certainly could be caught!  Thanks again for the comments Drew.

Feb 01, 2009 05:23 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Debbie, this is a great market for those that understand the process...and there are some outstanding opportunities.  Thanks for your comments Debbie.

Feb 01, 2009 05:25 AM
James Lupori
Keller Williams Greater Seattle - Kenmore, WA
Associate Broker - Keller Williams Realty - 206.713.2102

Hi Gary - As with so many specialities in our industry, foreclosures/short sales/HUD/REO, etc., there are always those professionals who represent themselves as "specialists/experts." Unfortunately, there are very few agents in our market (NW U.S.) who are qualified in these arenas. What ends up happening is these agents mis-represent themselves to both buyers and sellers because they think there's money to be made. We all know that it is unethical (and in some cases malpractice) to represent distressed property owners, yet many do it. We also know that it is imperative to set the right expectations with buyers BEFORE looking for property. Bottom line: if you're an agent and you really haven't been trained to do short sales, foreclosures, etc.. refer this business to those who do.  

Feb 01, 2009 07:10 AM
Craig & Sue Guffin
Coldwell Banker Monsees Realty - Sedalia, MO
Sedalia Mo Real Estate

Good information to pass along. Thanks for the post.

Feb 01, 2009 10:53 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

What a system Gary and hopefully they follow it to the letter. I love systems and a good plan.

Feb 01, 2009 12:16 PM
JB Brookman
JB Brookman Photography - Franklin, TN
High School Senior Portrait Photographer

Gary- great post on being ready in a short sale and foreclosure environment. 

Feb 01, 2009 06:10 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi James, being capable and being trained, as we know, are two very different things.  Our industry because of licensing laws allow agents to jump in and out for a fast buck...yet those that are career professionals pick up the pieces, clean up and dust ourselves off after the media has done a masterful job of portraying the industry as the money hungry opportunists.  It starts with the brokers and brokerages to become proactive in their business to stop the abuses and use a more concise hiring model to meet the needs of the brokerage and clients.  Thanks for your comments James.

Feb 01, 2009 11:50 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Craig, thanks for the comments, hope it helps.

Feb 01, 2009 11:51 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Charles, it is up to me to make them aware and keep them on track so they can have a stress free transaction with possitive results.  Thanks for the comments Charles.

Feb 01, 2009 11:53 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi JB, thanks for the comments, LA has it's own set of issues with this market...Michigan is not unique but does have some twists based on localized property offerings.  Thanks again for the comments.

Feb 01, 2009 11:56 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Gary, Congratulations of the gold star.  Great post and very informative.  Hope you are having a good week.~

Feb 03, 2009 01:53 PM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!-Thank you Mr.White for another great post. As always you write great useful information that will help home buyers and sellers. Great post.

Feb 03, 2009 08:31 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Shirley, Thanks for the comment....still have some of the week to go! :-)

Feb 04, 2009 11:28 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hey Lanre, Mr. was my DAD!  Thanks for the nice comments Lanre...hope DC is getting back to normal!

Feb 04, 2009 11:29 AM