Donna Helps Homeowners

Escape Your Unmanageable Mortgage: Getting free doesn’t have to mean running away.

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:07:42 GMT

Escape Your Unmanageable Mortgage: Getting free doesn’t have to mean running away.

Perhaps you have heard about it.

On the news, a reporter tells a story about how the housing crisis has caused some homeowners to simply walk away from their homes. It sounds crazy, but many people are being led to believe that walking away from their home is a good (or even the best!) option.

It is called Strategic Default. For distressed homeowners who believe that they have no good choices left, the idea of walking away free of consequence may sound like a relief. The reality, however, is that choosing strategic default has serious repercussions on your credit.

THERE ARE BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE!

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially-challenged homeowners with options to escape from unmanageable mortgages without running away.

Facing your problems head-on is always the best solution. Let me help.

To Your Success!

Donna Tashjian

Keller Williams

616-803-9456

The Second Largest Settlement in History: How it save you from foreclosure!

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:42:18 GMT

The Second Largest Settlement in History: How it save you from foreclosure!

The news has been abuzz in the past few weeks about the historic Robo-Signing Settlement reached between the government and five major lenders. The settlement raises lots of questions, but for homeowners who are in danger of losing their home there is only one:

Can this settlement help me stay in my home?

The answer: Possibly! But regardless of whether you meet the specific eligibility requirements for this settlement, it is important to remember one thing:

YOU HAVE OPTIONS!

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) I am uniquely qualified to help determine your eligibility and answer any questions you may have about the settlement. Call me or email me and set up your free, confidential consultation. Let me help you figure out the best foreclosure alternative option for you.

Call me today!

616-803-9456

Is Your Mortgage out of Balance with your Budget?

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:27:04 GMT

Is Your Mortgage out of Balance with your Budget?

It can happen quickly.

An expensive car repair, an unexpected hospital visit, a missed week of work – just a few little things and the life you’ve worked so hard to build can feel like it’s tipping dangerously out of balance.

Once the scales turn against you, it can feel like it is impossible to ever tip them back in your favor again. When your financial problems reach the point where they threaten your home, it is difficult to manage the stress. Sometimes it is even difficult to force yourself to seek help.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially challenged homeowners with options to foreclosure, ensure that they steer clear of scams, and help navigate them through the solution that best meets their needs.

Choose to face the challenge with a professional on your side.

I can help you realign the balance in your financial life and tip the scales back in your favor. Call or email me and schedule your free, confidential consultation. We can work together to make sure you end up ahead.

Best Wishes,

Donna Tashjian

616-803-9456

It's a sign of the times!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:30:17 GMT

It’s a sign of the times!

Most of us grew up thinking that if we planned well and played by the rules, we’d never have to stand by as our financial lives unraveled.

But upheavals on Wall Street, unacceptable rates of unemployment and plummeting real estate values have taken their toll. Since 2007, 7.9 million homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. Current estimates are that one in four homeowners owe more on their mortgages than they could get from the sale of their home. Millions more homes will be lost to foreclosure before this real estate crisis runs its course.

The sad fact is that foreclosure is not an isolated event. For months leading up to the loss of a home, financially strapped homeowners live under a cloud of uncertainty. And then for many years afterwards, the blow to credit gets in the way of buying another home or buying anything on credit. Foreclosure even complicates employment prospects.

The impact of foreclosure is huge and the sad fact is that it’s often avoidable.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to provide financially strapped homeowners with options to foreclosure, ensure that they steer clear of scams, and help navigate them through the solution that best meets their needs.

Among the most important facts to keep in mind: the sooner help is sought, the better the options.

These are tough times, but more help is available than ever before. If you or someone you care about is ready to navigate away from the dark cloud of an unmanageable mortgage and realize that hope and blue skies are within reach, contact me today and let’s get started.

Donna Tashjian

616-803-9456 and DonnaT@GRAR.COM

3 Reasons the Term “Strategic Default” Is Misleading

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:39:39 GMT

3 Reasons the Term “Strategic Default” Is Misleading

In a recent study, the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index found that a full 36% of Americans would consider “strategic default”—another term for walking away from your mortgage—if they were underwater (owed more on their home than what it was worth).

Now that more than one in four American homeowners is “underwater,” I feel that it’s important for the community to know the truth about strategic default.

The truth is the foreclosure process carries with it credit issues, current and future employment challenges, issues with security clearance and possible debt collections.

That’s why it is vital to explain the 3 reasons why the term “strategic default” is misleading:

There’s nothing strategic about defaulting on purpose, especially when you have options like short sales, mortgage modifications, and refinance (just to name a few) that may keep you from foreclosure.
The waiting periods to apply for a new mortgage loan are at least five years less in a short sale vs. a foreclosure.
A foreclosure will show up on your credit report every time you apply for a home loan, car loan, new job, etc., and will affect your financial situation for many years to come.

If you are underwater and can no longer afford your mortgage payments, you need to create a genuine strategy to avoid foreclosure, helping to provide stability for you and our community.

Resolve to Face the Facts!

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:33:26 GMT

Resolve to Face the Facts!

Since 2007, 8.9 million homes have been lost to foreclosure and millions more are headed in that direction.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, my mission is to ensure that you or anyone you care about does not add to that statistic.

The unfortunate fact is that so many homeowners who have played by the rules and never imagined that they could be facing foreclosure are now in a very tough situation.

More than one in four homeowners owes more on their mortgage than their home is worth. On top of that staggering statistic is the fact that millions of homeowners are unemployed, or underemployed and falling further behind every month.

Sound familiar? Rest assured you are not alone.

If you feel that you are headed toward foreclosure, or if you are avoiding facing that fact, the sooner you reach out for help, the better your options.

As a CDPE agent, I help distressed homeowners to work through every aspect of the denial and discouragement that accompanies a mortgage which is no longer manageable, and in the process, to move toward financial solvency.

If you or someone you care about is ready to tip the scales back toward financial solvency, contact me today and let’s get started.

Take action now to turn it around in 2012

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:19:39 GMT

Take action now to turn it around in 2012

Recent economic upheaval has taken a hefty toll. Looking forward to 2012, it’s impossible to know what’s next and the kind of an impact that an upturn or a downturn at the national level stands to have on your family’s finances.

Regardless of what happens in Washington or on Wall Street, two things are very clear: you are not alone and now is the time to prepare for a new normal.

With a national epidemic of unemployment or underemployment, and 25 percent of the homeowners in the country owing more on their home than they could net for it in today’s market, homeownership for many has become a financial liability. Not being able to make payments on a home that you can’t afford to sell feels like an awful trap, but the fact is, there are solutions—and foreclosing on your mortgage is not one of them.

Loan modification is an option for many and banks are increasingly willing to negotiate short sales. In many cases, they’re offering sizable financial incentives to help financially strapped homeowners to get a fresh start on their lives.

As real estate professional who has achieved the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, it is my mission to give homeowners the gift of a fresh start.

Contact me TODAY and let’s get started.

Is There A Difference Between A Short Sale and Foreclosure?

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:08:51 GMT

What is the difference between a short sale and foreclosure in:

> Deficiency judgments...

> Waiting period to purchase again...

Let's take a look...

Foreclosure: In 100% of foreclosures (except in those states where there is no deficiency) the bank has a right to purcue a deficiency judgement. The home will have to go through a REO process if it does not sell at auction. In most cases this will result in a lower sales price and longer time to sale in a declining market. This will result in a higher possible deficiency judgement.

Short Sale: In some successful short sales it is possible to convince the lender to give up the right to pursuit a deficiency judgement against the homeowner. In a properly managed short sale the home is sold at a price that should be close to market value and in almost all cases will be better than an REO sale resulting in a lower possible deficiency.

Foreclosure: Fannie Mae waiting period requirements are usually 7 years with 90% max on LTV ratios.

Short Sale: Fannie Mae waiting period is usually 2 years--80% max LTV ratio; 4 years--90% max LFV ration; 7 years--LTV ratios per lender eligibility matrix.

Let's help solve the foreclosure crisis, one homeowner at a time.

Foreclosure Fears Foster True Grief

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:25:18 GMT

Foreclosure Fears Foster True Grief

Reports of foreclosures by the millions have been in the news so much over the past few years that to some, it might seem like the new normal.

But as a real estate professional who is in the trenches with financially stressed homeowners every day, it never for a second feels to me like business-as-usual.

The prospect of losing ones home is right up there among the major sources of grief, and often, it goes hand in hand with other tragic setbacks such as the loss of a job, a divorce, death of a loved one, mounting medical bills or skyrocketing mortgage payments.

Unfortunately, the first stage of grief is denial, and that’s even more the case when the threat of foreclosure is looming. No one wants to talk about or admit financial troubles—even when millions of others have founds themselves in a similar spot. It’s completely understandable, but for homeowners who are behind on mortgage payments, decisive action is often the most critical step toward ensuring the best possible solution.

As a real estate professional who has sought out the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I help homeowners to deal with every aspect of the grief and uncertainty that accompanies a mortgage which is no longer manageable. In the process, I help them to get on a path of financial solvency.

If you or someone you care about would like to change the course of a life that’s facing foreclosure, I get it and I can help.

Contact me today at 616-803-9456 or email to DonnaT@grar.com

Foreclosure Market Trends-Oct-2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:46:25 GMT

Nationwide Agent Network

Donna Tashjian

Keller Williams

630 Kenmoor SE Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

“I am able to assist you in the prevention of foreclosure. I can help you find the property best suited to your needs. I am here to act as your local real estate specialist, CDPE. Buying or Selling”

Phone: 616-942-9540

Email: DonnaT@grar.com

License #: 6501350915

October 2011 Volume 5, Issue 15

Download PDF File

6 month Michigan Foreclosure Trends

NOD

NTS

NFS

LIS

REO

Search for Investment Properties>

Michigan Foreclosure Activity Rises in August

Foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — rose in Michigan, where 13,016 properties were reported in August, a 19 percent increase from July but 27 percent below the level reported for August 2010, according to the latest RealtyTrac® U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.Complete Story

Foreclosure Activity on Slow Burn

By RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 610,337 properties in the third quarter, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous quarter and a decrease of 34 percent from the third quarter of 2010, according to RealtyTrac. The report shows one in every 213 U.S. housing units with a foreclosure filing during the quarter. Foreclosure filings were reported on 214,855 U.S. properties in September, a 6 percent decrease from August and a 38 percent decrease from September 2010. September marked the 12th straight month where foreclosure activity decreased on a year-over-year basis.Complete Story

Here are some of the most recent Investment opportunities in the area.

Pre-Foreclosure

5 Mile Rd NE
Ada,
MI 49301

Amount
N/A
Beds/Bath
Sq. FT
0/0
0

Property Type	Address	Amount	Default	Sq. Ft.
Bank-Owned	Whitneyville Ave SE, Alto, MI 49302	$220,000	N/A	3,911	GET DETAILS
Auction Auction Date: 11/2/11	Egypt Valley Ave NE, Belmont, MI 49306	$53,712	N/A	0	GET DETAILS

View more properties in Kent County

Slideshow: Why Isn't Real Estate Rebounding?

By Jim Saccacio, RealtyTrac CEO

In this presentation given to the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio shows how the real estate recovery has been stalled by low consumer confidence, weak demand, government intervention, sloppy foreclosure practices and the infamous shadow inventory. The presentation digs into the true numbers behind the shadow inventory and proposes one simple solution from Saccacio to erase a big chunk of the shadow inventory without heavy-handed government intervention. Complete Story

FORECLOSURE TRENDS : AUGUST, 2011

NATIONAL		MICHIGAN	KENT CTY
NODs	40,765	5,065	254
NTSs	63,347	3,942	182
NFSs	21,058	0	0
LISs	38,115	0	0
REOs	64,813	4,009	318

Notice of Default (NOD)

A non-judicial document filed by a trustee that starts the foreclosure process.More about NOD

Lis Penden (LIS)

Notification of pending lawsuit. A judicial document filed by an attorney or trustee that starts the foreclosure process. More about LIS

Auction / Notice of Trustee's Sale (NTS)

A filing by notice announcing a public auction. More about NTS

Notice (Judgment) of Foreclosure Sale (NFS)

An order signed by a judge directing to sell the property at public auction.More about NFS

Real Estate Owned (REO)

The final step in foreclosure process in which property ownership returns to lender. More about REOs

It's Time to take another look at Short Sales!

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:11:16 GMT

It’s time to take another look at short sales

As recently as a few months ago, if you would have told a real estate agent who specialized in short sales that they’d be raving about a lender’s stellar service and rapid approval times—not to mention significant cash incentives for financially strapped homeowners for pursuing a short sale—you’d have gotten some strange looks.

That’s all changed. And it’s changed faster and to a greater extent than most real estate professionals ever could have imagined.

With a glut of bank-owned properties dragging down the recovery of the real estate market, as well as the national economy, major lenders are more eager than ever before to avoid foreclosure. So they’ve sharpened their focus on short sales. Big time.

The biggest lenders in the country have staffed up to ensure rapid processing of short sale applications. They’ve ponied up with cash incentives at closing for homeowners who pursue a short sale. And they’re proactively reaching out to CDPE agents and putting them in touch with delinquent borrowers.

This is big news and the media has not really caught onto it yet. What’s important for you to know is that whatever you’ve read or heard in the past about long lag times and frustrations with short sales is probably no longer the case.

As a member of the CDPEAdvanced community, I’m tapped into major lenders and on top of major developments affecting short sales and bank-owned properties. I invite you to visit my website www.DonnaHelpHomeowners.INFO to learn more and feel free to contact me any time at 616-803-9456, if you or anyone you know is struggling with an unmanageable mortgage.

Renewed Trust For Tough Times

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:37:40 GMT

Does it feel like trust is one of the major casualties of the economic meltdown of 2008 – followed by the “Great Recession,” the “Jobless Recovery” and now the threat of a “Double Dip Recession?”

Weren’t we assured that home values were destined to go up and up and up?

There have been lots of promises that help is on the way—and lots of warnings of scams and schemes that have only served to confuse the matter. So where’s a homeowner who’s underwater or overleveraged to turn?

Here’s the bottom line: the choices that homeowners make when they feel they are at the end of their rope will have ramifications for years to come on their ability to qualify for credit, their job prospects, their security clearance and their overall finances. When a family’s financial trajectory is rapidly heading in a negative direction, there’s no substitute for the helping hand of a knowledgeable expert who has the integrity, the experience and the training to reverse the course—someone who is tapped into regulatory initiatives and can separate fact from fiction.

It is my mission to serve as a credible source of information and perspective to homeowners who have found themselves in a tough situation and need help sorting through their options. That’s why I sought out the Certified Distressed Property (CDPE) designation—the most renowned and recognized credential in the distressed property field, and it’s why I continue to stay on top of regulatory and industry developments that impact options available to homeowners who are struggling with their current financial situations.

My message to homeowners who do not know where to turn: there is hope. Foreclosure is not inevitable and neither the government nor your bank wants to see that happen. No one expected to find themselves on the brink of foreclosure, but I have worked with countless clients who have managed to turn their financial trajectory around and get on a path of financial recovery.

It CAN be done! And it would be my privilege to help.

Short Sale vs Foreclosure and Employment

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:37:35 GMT

How does a foreclosure affect employment? Let's review this question together.

Foreclosure: Security Clearances

Foreclosure is the most challenging issue against a security clearance outside of a conviction of a serious misdemeanor or felony. If a client has a foreclosure and is a police or security officer, in the military, in the CIA or any other position that requires a security clearance in almos all cases clearance will be revoked and position will be terminated.

Short Sales: Security Clearances

On its own, a short sale does not challenge most security clearances.

Foreclosure and Current Employment

Employers have the right and are actively checking the credit regularly of all employees who are in sensitive positions. A foreclosure in many cases is ground for immediate reassignment or termination.

Short Sale and Current Employment

A short sale is not specifically reported on a credit report and is therefore not a challenge to employment.

Foreclosure and Future Employment

Many employers are requiring credit checks on all job applicants. A foreclosure is one of the most detrimental credit items an applicant can have and in most cases will challenge employment.

Short Sale and Future Employment

A short sale is not specifically reported on a credit report and is therefore not a challenge to employment.

If you know someone who could be facing a foreclosure, please suggest the contact a professional to help to review their options and make an educated decision.

To Your Success!

Donna

Handling the Stress of an Unaffordable Mortgage Payment

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:43:35 GMT

Handling the Stress of an Unaffordable Mortgage Payment

Whenever I research the latest foreclosure and distressed property statistics, the sheer number of Americans facing the stress of losing their homes amazes me. It is my goal to help as many homeowners I can either stay in their homes or relieve the burden of their mortgages. Knowing that there are so many that need my help is a driving force for me to continue doing what I do.

In fact, I just released another report that I’ve made available on my website today. It explains the CDPE designation and lists 10 options that homeowners can take advantage of to relieve the stress that comes with owing their mortgage lenders more money than they can afford to pay.

The report also draws a contrast between short sales and foreclosures. Unfortunately, there’s a growing trend of “strategic defaulters” who think it’s smart to let their home go into foreclosure. As any one who follows this blog knows, there is nothing strategic about foreclosure; it’s one of the most long-lasting, negative financial challenges you can go through.

I’m excited about acting as a resource for more homeowners who have questions about what they should do. As always, if you know homeowners who may need my help, have them contact me immediately! Together, we can put them back on the path to financial stability.

To Your Success!

Donna

Credit Scores in Foreclosure and Short Sales

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:01:52 GMT

We are reviewing the differnece between a foreclosure and short sale for the homeowner. Let's review what happens with a credit score.

Credit Score:

Foreclosure: Score may be lowered anywhere from 250 to 300 points. Typically will affect score for over 3 years.

Short Sale: Only lape payments on mortgage will show, and after sale, mortgage is normally reported as "paid as agreed", "paid as negotiated, " or "settled". Ths can lower the score as little as 50 points if all other payments are being made. A short sale's effect can be as brief as 12 to 18 months.

Credit History

Foreclosure: Foreclosure will remain as a public recond on a person's credit history for 7 years or more.

Short Sale: A short sale is not reported on a persons credit history. There is no speciic reporting item for "short sale." In most cases a loan is typically report "paid in full, settled" or "paid as negotiated."

Most homeowners state if feels better to negotiate the debt and not just walk away from what they owe. Please let me know how I can help.

To Your Success!

Donna

Let's explore the difference in a Short Sale vs. Foreclosure Pt 1

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:04:48 GMT

One of the most frequently ask questions is, "What is the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale?". Let's take a few minutes to explore this question.

Foreclosure: A homeowner who loses a home to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage for a period up to 7 years with some exceptions based on extenuating circumstances. See: efanniemae.co

Short Sale: A homeowner who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage within 2 years.

Foreclosure: An investor who loses a home to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for a period up to 7 years with some exceptions based on extenuating circumstances. See: efanniemae.com

Short Sale: An investor who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae-backed investment mortgage within 2 years (see page two for LTV ratios).

Foreclosure: With any Mortgage Company on any future 1003 application, a prospective borrower will have to answer YES to question C in Section VIII of the standard 1003 that asks “Have you had property foreclosed upon or given title or deed-in-lieu thereof in the last 7 years?” This will affect future rates.

Short Sale: With any Mortgage Company there is no similar declaration or question regarding a short sale. FHA – If current at the close of short sale, a homeowner may apply for an FHA loan immediately. If homeowner is late before close of short sale closing, will be eligible for FHA loan after 3 years.

Next time we will review how this effects credit scores. Stay tuned.

To Your Success!

Donna

Missing Mortgage Payments

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:59:13 GMT

Missing Mortgage Payments?

It’s Not Too Late

Wondering what a homeowner should expect when payments are missed? The most important thing to know is that no matter what stage of default a homeowner is in, there is almost always a way to avoid foreclosure. That being said, the quicker a homeowner does something about the situation, the less challenging it will be to resolve.

First, here’s what a distressed homeowner should expect to happen when payments are missed:

30 Days Late: The lender will attempt phone contact or send a notice in the mail.

60 Days Late: The lender will attempt to make contact by phone and follow up with another letter in the mail.

90 Days Late: The lender will send a letter demanding all past due amounts within 30 days and start the foreclosure process.

120 Days or More Late: The lender’s attorneys will take over and the homeowner will be responsible for their fees in addition to missed mortgage payments and the loan amount due.

Not late yet, but about to be?

Homeowners that are not late but foresee missing payments should communicate this to their lenders as soon as possible. In the past, many banks wouldn’t work with homeowners unless they were one or more payments behind. In light of the mortgage crisis, most lenders who would rather take a proactive stance and decrease their loan losses. They are more willing than ever to work with homeowners to avoid being late.

If you are visiting my website, you or someone you care about may miss mortgage payments in the near future. I can help navigate the process and put you back on a path to financial stability. Contact me today and alleviate the stress that comes with unaffordable mortgage payments

Prices Post Biggest Drop in Two Years as Foreclosures Depress Market

Tue, 31 May 2011 06:37:50 GMT

Home prices in the U.S. continue to tumble. In recent months, that path of descent has become more precipitous as foreclosures claim a larger share of the market.

Residential home prices slipped 2.5 percent during the first quarter of this year when compared to the previous quarter, according to a national index from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which is calculated using sales price information from mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The GSE’s purchase-only index shows that prices fell 5.5 percent between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011.

It’s the largest annual drop recorded since the second quarter of 2009, and the largest quarter-over-quarter decline seen since the fourth quarter of 2008.

Economists were projecting the declines to be much smaller. Those at the research firm Capital Economics say it signals that the housing downturn “has gone from bad to worse.”

“Prices in the first quarter fell at a faster rate than at any time since the height of the financial crisis in late 2008,” said Paul Dales, senior U.S. economist for the firm. “This time prices are not being driven down by a plunge in confidence and a sudden contraction in credit. Instead, they are being depressed by a chronic lack of demand and the effects of many foreclosed sales.”

Dales added, “With the foreclosure pipeline still full, prices will fall throughout this year, and perhaps next year too.”

Dales says his firm’s previously bearish forecast that prices would fall by around 5 percent this year may now prove too optimistic.

FHFA Acting Director Edward J. DeMarco shares Dales’ take on the latest numbers and the distress factor that’s contributing to the continued declines in prices.

“In many local real estate markets, particularly those hit hard by this cycle, foreclosures and other distressed properties are still a key factor in recorded and anticipated future sales and may be delaying price stability or recovery,” DeMarco said.

In Grand Rapids, MI 1 in every 398 homes are in the process of foreclosures according to RealtyTrac.

While the national, purchase-home price index fell 5.5 percent over the previous 12 months ending in March, prices of other goods and services rose 2.8 percent over the same period. As a result, the inflation-adjusted price of homes fell approximately 8.1 percent over the last year, DeMarco explained.

FHFA’s home price index showed declines in the first quarter in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The states with positive price growth were: Arkansas, Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. South Dakota’s reading was flat for the quarter.

What Short Sale Agents Need to Know About New FTC Rule

Wed, 25 May 2011 20:51:44 GMT

The National Association of Realtors is cautioning real estate agents about a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The rule is designed to protect homeowners from mortgage relief scams, but it could potentially affect Realtors doing short sales.

The rule bans all upfront fees for renegotiating mortgage terms and requires certain disclosures be made to consumers if a short sale is negotiated with a lender on their behalf or when advertising short sales services or expertise. It could also affect communicating with a consumer about a possible short sale prior to the listing agreement being executed or arranging the negotiation of a short sale for a consumer.

Realtors not only have to comply with the new FTC rule by not taking upfront fees, but by using specific disclosure language. A clear and legible disclosure must be included in all commercial messages advertising short sale services. Second and third disclosures are also now required by real estate agents before they start mortgage assistance services on behalf of their clients as well as at the time the lender’s short sale approval letter is presented to the client.

For more specifics on this as well as disclosure verbiage, check with your local board or on the NAR website.

Options and Solutions

Thank you for visiting this site and taking the first step toward finding answers. I appreciate what it has taken for you to come here, and commend your efforts to get the facts about your situation. The current real estate environment can be frustrating, with misinformation and conflicting plans for how to proceed.

As a real estate agent, what I often see in troubled homeowners is a belief that they are alone with their challenges. Regrettably, over 70% of homeowners in foreclosure proceed without ANY visible assistance. This is not acceptable for the communities I serve.

That's why I've developed this site: to ensure you get the valuable resources that can reduce your financial strain and change your life for the better. As a CDPE I know the options for homeowners in foreclosure or delinquent on their mortgages, and I can send you a report detailing this information, prepared just for you.

Simply enter your information below and click "Send."

I hope that you will review this information carefully, so that your next steps are the right steps toward a real solution.

Let me help you evaluate your options and get back on track to a solid, stable future.

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have devoted my career to helping homeowners who face difficult situations, taking them from uncertainty to resolution. Lately I've found a lot of conflicting information going around, especially concerning short sales, which you should know about.

A short sale occurs when a lender accepts the selling price of a home, even if it is less than the full amount owed on the mortgage. For particular homeowners, this can be the best option to foreclosure. Yet, I still hear people suggest that short sales are basically the same as foreclosure.

This is absolutely wrong!

You need to have the CORRECT information. That’s why I'm glad you're here. To help, I’ve prepared a free report—just for you—that compares the realities of foreclosures and short sales side-by-side. Simply provide your information below, and I'll send you this report.

If you have any additional concerns about this issue, or your circumstances are urgent, please feel free to give me a call. I can help you evaluate your options and get you back on track to a secure financial future.

Donna Tashjian
616-942-9540

7 Short Sale Myths

There are millions of homeowners just like you who are looking for answers and don’t know what to do. You’re not alone and you’re in the right place.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have training and experience in providing solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship. Despite my best efforts, there’s still an overwhelming amount of misinformation about the options available, especially short sales.

To give you a better idea of the short sale option, and to set straight some of the myths you may have heard, I’ve prepared a free report just for you - please fill out the information below to receive your free report. This report will clarify the following myths:

The Bank Would Rather Foreclose Than Bother With A Short Sale
You Must Be Behind On Your Mortgage To Negotiate A Short Sale
There Is Not Enough Time To Negotiate A Short Sale Before My Foreclosure
Listing My Home As A Short Sale Is An Embarrassment
Short Sales Are Impossible And Never Get Approved
Banks Are Waiting On A Bailout And Not Accepting Short Sales
Buyers Are Not Interested In Short Sale Properties

These ideas are potentially harmful to homeowners seeking real solutions. I hope you’ll review this information for yourself or share it with a homeowner in need.

In these times, we all need to know the truth to know how to get back on track.

If you have any additional concerns about this issue, or your circumstances are urgent, please give me a call.

Donna Tashjian
616-942-9540

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

The decisions you make as a homeowner today hold a profound impact on your financial future. However, it is important to safeguard yourself from misinformation and fraud. Get the facts regarding your situation and always have a contingency plan.

For those who qualify, a mortgage modification is the ideal remedy to their financial distress. I’ve prepared a FREE report on the truth about mortgage modifications to guide you through this important process. Simply provide your information below to get this valuable information, and feel free to pass it along to anyone who may need it. One homeowner lost to foreclosure is one too many!

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have training and experience in providing solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship. Together, we can formulate a plan to get back on track.

If you have any unanswered questions, or your circumstances are urgent, please call me today.

Donna Tashjian
616-942-9540

Short Sale & Deed-In-Lieu

Contrary to what you may have heard, lenders actually want to avoid foreclosure wherever possible. That’s why they’re accepting more short sale and deed-in-lieu transactions everyday in an effort to eliminate unnecessary foreclosures. This is great news for homeowners facing financial distress.

To help you understand more about these two options, I’ve prepared a free report just for you, called ‘Short Sale & Deed-in-Lieu: Dignified Solutions.’ To receive your free report, please provide your information in the fields below.

I hope you’ll review these options carefully and pass this information along to those who may need it. I commend your efforts to finding a solution to the difficult financial situation that you or someone you know is currently facing. Providing the best advice and information in your time of need is my priority.

Let me help you evaluate your options and get you back on track to a secure financial future.

Your First Steps To Avoid Foreclosure

Your First Steps

In today’s market, 1 in 7 homeowners is having trouble paying the mortgage. More than 70% of these homeowners proceed without seeking assistance or getting the facts. Many do not even realize that foreclosure is a process, and that there is time to make decisions that may result in a better outcome.

You are not alone. Millions of other homeowners nationwide are in the same circumstances. To assist you, I’ve prepared a free report outlining the first steps a homeowner should take when facing a foreclosure.

Fill out your information below for this free report. Don’t hesitate. Get back on track today!