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Shortsale Sellers-Mortgage Fraud-Use Those Words Carefully!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Talk 2 Midori, LLC BK645709

Mortgage Fraud -Think and use these words carefully if you are a short sale seller!  I say this because I have seller's calling me from all walks of life...from different states...with different situations..short sale situations and some sellers choose the words mortgage fraud!

When I hear mortgage fraud...I ask immediately...have you called an attorney? In most instances..a REALTOR is the first person they call..and in some instances its just been me!

My advice to sellers:

Be very careful using the term mortgage fraud..you may in fact implicate yourself!  Seek the advice of an attorney..especially if you have..a stated income loan...or You know the 1003 application...has false information..after all you signed the darn thing and that signature might be enough to implicate yourself.

My advice to REALTORS:

Ask thought provoking questions..you'll get the answers...and most of all listen..and the next time you speak to a short sale seller let them know..their very own actions might in fact implicate them.  Remind them you are not an attorney..and that they should in fact..seek the advice of an attorney!

Has a short sale seller contacted you and used the words Mortgage Fraud and what advice did you give them?

Comments (16)

James Miner, Esq.
Law Office of James Miner LLC - Westfield, NJ

Midori,  this is one of the best posts I have seen on the topic of short sales.  I see people rushing into short sales very often without pausing to consider the consequences.  Mortgage fraud allegartions can be a real concern, along with Federal and State tax implications on the payoff shortage, and the possibility of remaining personal liability on the shortage.

Sometimes getting a short sale done is not a service to the seller.

 

Sep 07, 2008 01:15 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

So many people are claiming they did not know what they were signing.  It was all fine when they bought the house and lived in it for two years.  Then realized they truly could not afford it.  Shame on them too

Sep 07, 2008 01:25 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

James-well I am not an attorney and would not practice law without a license...as a REALTOR my best advice is to seek an advice of an attorney when I hear the words mortgage fraud!  So many times we get caught up in obtaining the listing or trying to really help a seller...as much advice as I give...I do not give legal advice! 

There are many things to consider when doing a short sale..not just from where I am standing...but the seller and the law!

Sep 07, 2008 01:30 AM
Sheila Reeves
Allen Tate Realtors - Greenville, SC

Good points; there are so many nuances that must be considered and sometimes it is better to ask lots of questions before giving any advice, and then, give only real estate advice, not legal.

Sep 07, 2008 01:33 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Russ-I did mortgages and sold real estate.  I am no loan officer..another words..hated it!!!!!  That is me..I found that people just don't read the fine print...they want credit...and I know I have been guilty myself...I tend to trust the person I am talking to.  

To me it's a two way street...how many times does an agent really go over the entire sales contract?  Or how many buyer's do not even sign the good faith estimate but put it back into the envelope..and tuck it in a drawer...

I guess if we were truly consultants...truly providing a service..we would stress people to read the fine print..I know one of the things I tell people...I am not making your mortgage payment...can you live with it...meaning...can you have a quality of life...that a mortgage isn't going to choke you.  I encourage people to read the fine print...I see it with REALTORS when I train..skimming...and not reading then coming back to me months later...why didn't this work?  why does this cost so much?  I could go on and on.

I think people in desperate situations..either avoid...try to find a solution...or pass the buck!  I truly want to warn sellers to be very careful!

 

 

Sep 07, 2008 01:38 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Sheila-yes many nuances..to consider..if you listen...sometimes...the seller figures it out...if you ask the right questions...the seller figures it out...A couple called me yesterday...I asked one simple question..did you sign your loan application..the answer..yes.   Did you review your good faith estimate?  The answer again...yes...

Call an attorney..and figure out..if you can live with what he says...I am no lawyer but I do care about people..please call a lawyer..and then make decision after talking to them! And if you found what I said useful...call me back..I'll find the perfect short sale expert in your area! 

This morning..I woke to a very warm email...you are right..we should have called an attorney first!  BTW we will take you up on your offer if we should need the services of REALTOR!

Sep 07, 2008 01:46 AM
LaShawn Norden
Keller Williams Heritage Realty - Longwood, FL
REALTOR, (321) 377-0157, Your Real Estate Advocate in Central FL

Midori~Great information and much needed these days! It seems as though the Sellers I've been hearing from lately think that the short-sale process is a simple one and that they can just ask the bank to take less than what's owed and not be responsible in any way for a shortage themselves. I think that more and more Sellers are going to have rude awakenings over the course of these next few years as lenders are starting to push back more now and hold Sellers accountable for what they signed.

Sep 07, 2008 02:46 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

LaShawn-I can tell the modifications of loans are happening in our area...so I think sellers should really think about all the choices.  Make good sound decisions and not only think about today but also down the road.  I believe credit will become very hard to obtain. 

Sep 07, 2008 02:49 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I don't think I have ever had a seller mention "MF" to me in regards to a short sale. 

Sep 07, 2008 03:26 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Renee-I have and sometimes they could be legit claims..and I say this only if there is an attorney involved! :) 

Sep 07, 2008 03:30 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

I did see an instance where the buyers were challenged with their English.  When I reviewed documents from their purchase, it was suspicious at best.  Fortunately I was able to assist them without needing a short sale.

Sep 07, 2008 03:46 AM
Sheila Santini
Waterfront and Boaters paradise Realtor! - Tarpon Springs, FL
GRI

Legally we are not to give advice, only opinion that is with in our professional expertise on how to market and offer for sale a home, negotiate a contract, manage contingencies etc etc etc.  Most of my Short Sale Clients have been referred to me by an Attorney, its really nice when they start there, then call.

Sep 07, 2008 04:04 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Midori

I have to agree, you have to be very carful with short sales regarding the possibilities of sliding into a mortgage fraud situation.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Sep 07, 2008 05:34 AM
Fred Chamberlin
Guild Mortgage Co - Oak Harbor WA - Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor/Whidbeynulls, #1 Experienced FHA Mortgage Consultant

Wow, Midori, another insightful well worded post. Great job.

Sep 07, 2008 10:41 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Midori,

I so need to get more knowledgeable in this arena of short sales.  Thank you ma'am for a timely post.

Sep 07, 2008 01:53 PM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Did you say fraud? Lot's of suspected here but I just try to steer clear of it and not let anyone pass it on to my clients.

Sep 07, 2008 11:51 PM