Coral Springs and Parkland Florida Real Estate 954-298-6678

Blog here.

<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SD5Fz68jupI&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SD5Fz68jupI&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>

Oh no! Did your listing Expire???

Why Listings Expire

Some listings don’t sell during the listing period for a variety of reasons, including:

1)     market conditions (oversupply of homes available for sale);

2)     property condition;

3)     listing period too short;

4)     uncooperative owner or tenant;

5)     overpriced; or

6)     poor marketing effort.

Except for the uncooperative owner or tenant, the major reason listings expire is almost always price.  If there is an oversupply of homes on the market, the price should have been reduced.  If the property condition is poor, it was probably overpriced.  A short listing period calls for a low price.

Three most important words

We’ve all heard of three most important words when it comes down to sale or purchase of a home: location, location, location.  Well, let me introduce a new concept: price, price, price!  Simply put, if you price your home too high it will not sell and might even become an object of unpleasant remarks.

Statistically if you get 10 or more showings a month but no offers, you are about 5% overpriced, if you get only around 5 showing per month, your home is overpriced by at least 10%.

 SO IF PRICE SELLS, WHY HIRE A REALTOR??  Good question and we’ve addressed this before in this blog post:

 Why are there overpriced listings?

1)     Sellers often have emotional attachment to their home and do not want to logically accept its’ market value. They feel that their home is better than others and therefore should sell for more.

2)     Listing agent failed to prove the market value to the seller, or was too excited to get a new listing and took it overpriced.

3)     Seller owes more that the home is worth and hopes to break even, regardless of the market conditions, so lists it higher.

4)     Listing agent did a poor job gathering information about the market and comps in the area.

There could be several more reasons, but the truth is listing agents are not supposed to take overpriced listings, and sellers should not list their homes above market value.

Why is it bad to list your home high?

After all, you should have room for negotiation and you can always go down when the offers start coming in, right?  Wrong and here’s why:

1)     If your home is overpriced and 5 other homes in your neighborhood are priced right, the buyers won’t even come to look at yours.

2)     By overpricing your home you are only benefiting your listing agent. They will get calls from the sign and internet then move these leads to other homes after the buyers find out the home is overpriced.

3)     It will stay on the market for months and will drive you crazy keeping you in constant anticipation, worry and eventually making you frustrated over the situation and upset with your listing agent.

I know that the battle going on right now is serious but this “spoof” sent by a broker I know was too good not to pass along.

March 17, 2011  Feds Revamp Waitress Compensation Due to e coli Poisoning  

Regulators are proposing a change in how food servers in the United States are paid due to recent e coli poisoning at a local restaurant. E Coli (short for “Escherichia coli” ), can cause serious food poisoning in humans and the bacteria is responsible for occasional product recalls due to unsanitary conditions at Major Slaughterhouse ‘s around the country. Clearly the fault of the food server known as the “Waiter” or “Waitress”.

Mr. Tommy Aikey awoke a few days ago with food poisoning after having a Steak meal served by Wendy Knowfalt, a food server at “Steak and Ail”. After Tommy Aikey reported the incident to local authorities, the legislators and regulators quickly got to work on a new bill that will prevent this type of food poisoning in the future. From the experts within the government, all indications show that clearly the waitress was at fault for the ordeal.

Here is a breakdown of the new regulation and the three main components.

·         Waitresses will no longer be able to have their tips or other compensation based on the type of the meal they serve or based on the servers experience level, or service levels to the customer.

·         A Waiter or Waitress may not be paid more for a steak dinner, than a Shrimp or chicken dinner. They must be paid the same regardless of whether the food comes out warm, or cold due to any delay where the food was prepared while the server was on break.

·         When customers order their meal, they must be presented with a minimum of 3 different menus from competing restaurants in the area.

·         The customer must wait 3 hours to order their meal after signing a disclosure showing what type of salad, starch and vegetable will be served with the meal. If the restaurant owner provides these “ancillary” items – he may not charge a higher margin on one item over the other.

·         The waiter/waitress must be either paid by TIPS from the consumer, or by credit card – NOT by BOTH.

i.                           Note that for these purposes, both the Restaurant itself AND the Wait staff are considered “Servers”, thus – if the Credit card option is used to pay the cashier (owner of the restaurant), then NO TIPS may be accepted by the waitress.

·         Provision and Safe Harbor.

ii.                      A “Server” may not “Steer” a consumer into a meal by a certain animal type if they will receive greater compensation from that meal, than for other meals which may have been offered the consumer… unless the offered meal is in the consumers best interest (Safe Harbor).  It is unclear within the proposed law how far this legal definition goes, and the Feds are offering NO CLARIFICATION. If the same steak dinner is available 2 blocks away, is it in the best interest to send the client to the competing restaurant?

Is serving Steak over Salmon in the best interest of the consumer’s health?

All unanswered questions will have severe penalties and will only be clarified during future inspections of the restaurant by the Food Inspector. Lastly, in another unrelated law that is being considered called QRM, or Qualified Restaurant Meals- certain Restaurant owners should be aware that they may have to eat 5% of the consumers meal prior to serving.

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

Please click on this link to view the MARCH - 2011 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter:
http://BarronBensonTeam.housingtrendsenewsletter.com?Newsletter_ID=270&Period_ID=377

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.

It also includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report:
http://BarronBensonTeam.housingtrendsenewsletter.com?Newsletter_ID=270&Period_ID=377

Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future.
Sincerely yours,

Cindy Barron
 The Keyes Company Realtors
 3300 University Drive Coral springs
 FL 33065
 954-298-6678
 Email:info@CBarronhomes.com

(While I hope you find the information contained in this eNewsletter useful and informative, if you wish to no longer receive it, you may click on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Choosing a listing agent is the most important aspect in selling your home. Few people realize though that choosing one is a two step process, and it can be confusing, if you’re not prepared in choosing the best realtor for your situation, and knowing what questions to ask once you have decided upon a listing agent.

When starting your search for a listing agent to sell your home there are a few important considerations and questions that you will need to investigate. First, consider that you need a realtor that realizes that every seller has a unique situation not only financially, but in many other ways too, such as deadlines for selling, or even times for showing your house to buyers.

You will want to find a listing agent that not only you can work with, but also one that has your best interests at heart, and not just their commission. It’s a working relationship, but it’s one in which they are employed by you to sell your home hassle free and for the best price.

Begin your home listing agent search by investigating all of the different realtors in your area. A handy telephone book with agents listing and asking friends and neighbors about any realtors that they may have had experience with are two places to begin.

Remember though that one persons experience doesn’t mean that you will have the same exact negative or positive one. After writing down a list of agents take some time to dig a little further by grabbing a local paper with home listings, and look for particulars. Note how the agents list their available homes.

Check to see if you’re impressed by the quality of not only pictures, but how well the information is presented about the homes. Be wary of any listing that has grammatical errors, or leaves out vital information such as correct contact numbers.

Also, look for the realtor’s websites, and take note of how well their information is displayed, but also see if the site is easy to navigate to find the necessary information about the homes listed. There can be nothing worse than a listing that is extremely hard to find.

Potential buyers will click away if your homes’ listing is buried beneath tons of frustrating non essential information. Note too the different forms or types of advertising that each realtor has, such as radio, print, magazine, and internet. The broader informational services your realtor uses the better chances your home will sell according to your schedule and price.

After researching your potential realtors, and deciding on which ones you might like to work with, make an appointment to delve further into their services. Again, write down pointed questions, and their answers to them. Key questions that most home sellers like to know will have a big affect on their wallets, and if their home sells or not. Make sure

answers are effectually given to your satisfaction. Here are 5 important questions that you will need to ask.

                        What are the listing agent’s commissions, and if your house is sold by another agent what are the fees for both?

                        What is the agents experience, and how much property have they sold in the last year?

                        Will your house be placed on an MLS (Multiple Listing Service), or multiple MLS systems?

                        What is the contractual agreement for the length of time you must list with the realtor to sell your home?

                        What is the listing agent’s policy for open houses, and will you receive timely feed back to correct problems?

Finally, when making a decision on an agent to represent you and your home remember to be thorough. If there are any questions that you feel during your interview with a listing agent that suddenly occur to you as important don’t be hesitant to ask.

Any confident and qualified agent will be more than happy to openly discuss in a non hurried manner any questions that you might have. Selling your home is an intensely personal one with serious financial matters at stake.

You deserve the detailed and caring attention of a professional. Working with any realtor should be as stress free as possible, and your home should be presented in its best light, so buyers will come knocking at your door.

Our Objectives are the following:

A Look back at 2010 and 5 Reasons why NOW is absolutely the time to buy

Real estate is a cyclical business. Whether it’s shifting from a buyers to a sellers market; a sellers to a buyers market or even from the Summer months to the Winter ones - the national and local real estate landscape is ever-changing. Even just this year we watched the real estate landscape rise and fall. Take for example, the first-time homebuyer tax credit which received much acclaim earlier this year as it helped to stimulate the sales of homes during an otherwise stale market. We even witnessed several extensions and expansions on the tax credit because of its success in increasing home ownership in the United States. As a result of the tax credit - and as predicted - sales were on the rise and the economy appeared to be trending toward stabilization. Then July statistics hit and existing home sales dropped sharply, while home prices continued to gain.

Since then, the media has focused on the doom and gloom of a few housing statistics that only represent a portion of the picture. As an expert real estate agent in your local market, I’m happy to tell you that, for the right individual, owning a home is still one of the best investments you can make in your lifetime.

And now couldn’t be a better time to buy. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of The National Association of REALTORS couldn’t agree more. Not too long ago, he said “Home buyers over the past year got a great deal, and buyers for the balance of this year have an edge over sellers. Affordability could reach a generational high this year because of rock-bottom mortgage interest rates, helped partly by the Fed’s very accommodative monetary policy.”

If you’re waiting to buy I home, I urge you to take a minute to consider the following benefits of buying now - there may not ever be a better opportunity than the one we presently face to purchase a home.

1. Affordability

Housing affordability is at a generational high and has been steadily stabilizing since the boom years of 2006. Affordability, as measured by the median mortgage payment as a percentage of median household income, continues on a downward trend - meaning home ownership is within reach for more Americans.

2. All-time low mortgage rates

Rates are reaching generational lows due to monetary policy and won’t stay there for long. If you take into consideration the decrease in home prices, you have good credit, and you can put money down on the home, buying now, instead of later, is a good option.

3. There are lots of deals

Recently, the National Association of REALTORS put total inventory at 4 million homes. Of those homes, nearly 40 percent are estimated to be foreclosures. These aren’t your run-down foreclosed upon homes, either. Unfortunately, many homeowners fell underwater on their mortgage due to the decline in the economy. As a buyer, you’re able to help them get out from under a home they can’t afford and into a home for a great price.

Dear Homeowner,
 These are scary, difficult times. Our homes are not worth what they used to be, but payments have stayed the same or actually risen. Maybe you are receiving calls from your lender.
 It's extremely upsetting. We truly understand how you feel.
Our names are Cindy Barron and Gary Benson and we are Realtors in the Distressed Property Division of The Keyes Company. From public records, we have noticed that you are behind on your mortgage payments and the lender has begun foreclosure proceedings against you. It is important to know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE and there are MANY people in the same circumstance.
We specialize in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure. In fact, we have been specializing in this area for many years. Please allow us to assist you in understanding of Short Sale process and have been certified by the National Association of Realtors as a Short Sale Specialist. Please allow us to assist you in understanding the Short Sales process and how it may help you avoid foreclosure. 
 You might be thinking HOW MUCH IS This GOING TO COST ME??  In most cases when we sell your house, you will NOT HAVE TO PAY any anything including our commission. Your current mortgage lender will pay the commission and generally all the fees. We can explain this to you in more detail when we meet with you.
If you would like a free, confidential analysis of your specific situation and you'd like to learn more about a Short Sale, please feel free to call us. Together, we can come up with a solution for your situation.
We look forward to speaking with you.
 The Barron/Benson Team

Cindy Barron, Realtor    954-298-6678

Gary Benson, Realtor    561-445-2331

National Association Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Designation

Conscious Design for Happy People                                  www.tamaradalton.net              

Interior Design - FL #IB-26000916                      Email: tammy@tamaradalton.net

In this age of nesting, home as sanctuary, aging in place, and all the other –isms of “staying-putted-ness” people are looking for ways to repurpose their belongings, update their homes without spending gobs of money, and achieve a change of scenery without leaving the scene.  One of the best ways to do this is with paint colors.  Paint is inexpensive, the color choices are virtually limitless, and changing colors can completely transform a room.  Here are a few rules of thumb for transforming a room with paint:

1.       Create a focal point in your room with an accent wall in a different color from the rest of the room.  Be mindful of the colors in the furniture that will be placed in front of an accent wall.  If the furniture is very light, a dark-colored wall will create drama and contrast, while a light-colored wall behind light furniture will create more serenity and neutrality, and vice-versa.

2.       Use a contrasting color to draw and direct the eye in the form of a horizontal stripe painted at eye-level (for modern interiors), or a contrasting color above or below a chair rail (for more transitional or traditional interiors). 

3.       Keep ceilings painted in light colors to make them feel higher, darker colors to visually lower them.

4.       Don’t be afraid of color.  Nothing is more boring than an all-beige house.  And don’t worry; it’s only paint- it’s easy to change.

5.       Make your paint color changes at the inside corners of walls, not outside corners.  Walls are never perfectly straight, and changing the color at an outside corner will highlight just how crooked your wall may be.

6.       Choose the sheen (sheen = shininess) of the paint carefully.  Matte (flat, no shine at all) finishes hide imperfections.  The higher the gloss, the more wall imperfections you will see.  However, the trade-off is that matte finishes scuff easier and are more difficult to clean and touch-up.  Be honest with yourself about how you and your family use the space.  If you have small children that like to run their hands and toys along the walls, matte finishes will require more maintenance to keep them looking fresh.  I usually suggest a happy medium, like eggshell or satin for most interior wall spaces.

7.       Try out a color selection by painting a largish sample of it on different spots on the wall.  The way light hits the wall will alter how the color looks, so you want to see the color in different areas and under different lighting conditions before you make your final decision.  The size of the sample paint area should be big enough to really get a feel for the color in relation to the colors around it, so don’t be skimpy: 12” x 12” or 24” minimum.

8.       Choose a low or zero- VOC paint (and primer).  It’s healthier for you and your family because it won’t off-gas harmful contaminants into the air.  Try Mythic Paint (www.mythicpaint.com) which is available at Eco-Simplista in Fort Lauderdale (www.ecosimplista.com).  Benjamin Moore’s Natura line is their zero-VOC product, and Sherwin Williams offers the Harmony line as their zero-VOC product.

Since there are so many paint colors available, choosing the right colors for your space can be daunting.  If the idea of choosing paint colors makes you lose sleep at night, consider investing in a color consultation by a professional interior designer.  Check out my website for more details on how we can work together to select the right colors for you:  www.tamaradalton.net/a-little-bit-of-moxie 

House Passes Flood Insurance Extension

Reauthorizes Program for 5 Years and Makes Key Reforms

Washington, DC - The House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 5114, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) to improve the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and reauthorize the program for 5 years.

NFIP is the primary source of reliable, affordable flood insurance coverage for more than five million American homes and businesses. 

"Reauthorizing and improving the flood insurance program helps homeowners, businesses and communities throughout the country," said Congresswoman Waters. "This legislation restores stability to NFIP which it lacked while subject to lapses and only temporary extensions.  During lapses in the flood insurance program over the past year, FEMA was not able to write new policies, renew expiring ones or increase coverage limits." 

H.R. 5114 makes additional improvements to the flood insurance program by phasing in actuarial rates for pre-FIRM properties - those built before the effective date of the first Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for a community. It also raises maximum coverage limits, provides notice to renters about contents insurance and establishes a Flood Insurance Advocate, similar to the Taxpayer Advocate at the Internal Revenue Service.

Last month both the House and Senate passed legislation (H.R. 5569) introduced by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) to extend NFIP until September 30th.  This was the most recent of several short-term extensions and followed a one month lapse during which new policies were not issued.  Approximately 1200 homebuyers a day were unable to close on their homes while NFIP had expired according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

Flood insurance helps American families rebuild their lives after a devastating flood. The importance of flood insurance is underscored by a number of major floods which have occurred this year in various regions of the country, including in Rhode Island, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Currently, hurricane season has officially started in the U.S., and Texas is still recovering from Hurricane Alex.

In addition, the U.S. has in recent years experienced increased flooding in areas not designated as special flood hazard areas so FEMA has been revising and updating flood insurance maps to better reflect the risk of flooding in additional areas.  Many homeowners now find themselves in flood zones and required to purchase insurance.

H.R. 5114 delays the implementation of new rate maps so homeowners in a neighborhood newly classified as a flood zone will not be immediately burdened with insurance costs.

Congresswoman Waters said, "This legislation addresses the challenges posed to communities nationwide by the imposition of new flood maps.  I saw these challenges in my home city of Los Angeles, and earlier this year, I was able to assist homeowners in the Park Mesa Heights area of Los Angeles who had been mistakenly placed in a flood zone. In this case, FEMA acted quickly to respond to new data and correct the mistake. However, there are thousands of homeowners nationwide who now find themselves in flood zones and subject to mandatory purchase requirements.  H.R. 5114 will protect them."

Organizations including the National Association of REALTORS, the National Association of Homebuilders, the American Insurance Association, the Property Casualty Insurers Association, and the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America support Congresswoman Waters' legislation.

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, which Congresswoman Waters chairs, passed H.R. 5514 in April. Congresswoman Waters also presided over a subcommittee hearing in April which featured testimony from several Members of Congress with an interest in flood insurance issues.  Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) - which administers the flood insurance program -- and the Government Accountability Office, real estate professionals, representatives of insurance companies, flood plain managers, and environmentalists were among the other witnesses who testified.  

We have Teamed up with a Green Designer to give you some up to date Green Home Ideas.  Enjoy.

Barron Benson Team

The Keyes Company Realtors

954-298-6678

wwww.cbarronhomes.com

Conscious Design for Happy People                                  www.tamaradalton.net              

Interior Design - FL #IB-26000916                      Email: tammy@tamaradalton.net

VOC’s- Smell that chemical cocktail

Once upon a time, when I was a young designer fresh out of school, I started working in an office furniture dealership.  Day in and day out, I sat in a large warehouse-style building with no windows (except for the fixed glass storefront) amongst a large collection of new office chairs, tables and bookcases, and panel systems furniture.  I noticed a terribly strong smell, something akin to “new car smell” times ten, and every day by around lunch time, I was nauseous and fighting a splitting headache.

Little did I know I was having my first major run-in with volatile organic compounds: VOC’s.  I wouldn’t hear that term for many years to come, but though I had no name for it, it was obvious to me what it was.  All that newly minted furniture was off-gassing.  All the chemicals and solvents used in their manufacturing were evaporating into the air around me.  I was breathing them in and smelling them, and it was making me sick.

After a few weeks, the nausea and headaches disappeared.  I guess my body got used to it.  No more problem, right?  Um, no.  Not quite.  Our bodies are pretty amazing instruments.  They can take a lot of abuse and are very adaptable, but just because your body has figured out a way to process whatever is assaulting it (be it too much food, alcohol, sunlight, chemical compounds, whatever), and you don’t perceive it directly through your senses so much, doesn’t mean these factors are no longer there.  Sometimes your body hits the proverbial wall and reacts in ways that can’t be ignored and that’s when you know something is a) definitely wrong, and b) needs to change.  But until then, we put up with a lot, and we’re conditioned not to be alarmed.  For instance, appreciating “new car smell,” not believing that laundry is truly clean unless it smells like bleach, the smell of a freshly painted room as a sign of newness and a healthy space, the use of plug-in air fresheners and fabric sprays and believing that the smell of flowers coming from an aerosol can means there are actually flowers in there, and my personal pet peeve: baby cologne.  What is that about?  As if the smell of a freshly bathed little baby needs improvement or camouflage?

Many people still don’t know what VOC’s are and/or don’t equate them with something harmful, because their bodies haven’t hit that wall yet.  A friend of mine from Jamaica says they have a saying there: “if you can’t hear it, you’ve got to feel it.”  Nothing beats personal experience.  Just ask anybody affected by the Chinese drywall problem here in Florida (and elsewhere) if they know what VOC’s are.  I’m sure they are very clear about the definition now compared to just a few short years ago.

Back in the early nineties, I worked with a client that was chemically sensitive to formaldehyde and asked us to design two wardrobe cabinets using wood without formaldehyde in it.  That wasn’t easy back then.  The cabinetmaker had to search high and low to find the lumber, and it was very expensive.  I admit, we were skeptical about her sensitivity claims and there was a lot of pooh-poohing going on (which was exacerbated with the demand that the interior width of the drawers had to correspond exactly to the widths of her husband’s shirts when folded and placed side by side in rows of three!  This appears on my list of Kooky Client Requests.), but we managed to get it done and she was happy.  The point is we have so many choices, good choices, now for building products and interior finishes and furnishings that emit low or no VOC’s; paint, carpet, fabrics, furniture, glue and adhesives, caulking, cleaning products.  The manufacturers and producers are making the shift, slowly but surely, and designers and architects are coming around too, but it comes down to a matter of the consumer knowing they have a choice and exercising it.  Ask your building contractors and designers for environmentally-friendly and non-toxic products.  Tell them of your interest and your concerns, and show that you value your health and the health of your loved ones.  Don’t wait for a health crisis.  The supply is growing, it’s time to start asserting the demand, and hopefully soon environmentally safe and non-toxic furnishings will be commonplace.

 It amazes me how many properties are being foreclosed on! No, I’m not surprised there are a number of homeowners in trouble. The question I have is why go through foreclosure when there is a much better option. That option is a Short Sale.

There are a number of reasons that short sales are better than foreclosures. The biggest three are, First, it has a much smaller negative affect on your credit score then a foreclosure. Second, your eligibility for buying a new home will be quicker than if you have a foreclosure. Third, in most cases the bank will release you from a deficiency judgment. In some cases banks are proceeding against the people they foreclose on for any deficiency.

The real question is why more homeowners aren’t taking advantage of this program. Not every home will qualify for a short sale but when I see the number of foreclosed properties out there it’s obvious that some homeowners are not getting the word. The problem may be a lack of information. That’s why we need to put the word out. If you or anyone you know is staring at foreclosure take action now! When dealing with a real estate agent look for one that has the SFR Certification. That stands for Short sale and Foreclosure Resource. It’s offered by the National Association of Realtors and agents with this designation have special training in the short sale process.

Whatever your situation, don’t give up. Remember what Winston Churchill said: If you’re going through hell…keep going. Whatever the situation, it will get better.

Good Luck.

Gary Benson

EcoBroker Certified

SFR Certified

Keyes Company

Cell: 561-445-2331

Email: bens8382@gmail.com

Web: www.cbarronhomes.com

 It amazes me how many properties are being foreclosed on! No, I’m not surprised there are a number of homeowners in trouble. The question I have is why go through foreclosure when there is a much better option. That option is a Short Sale.

There are a number of reasons that short sales are better than foreclosures. The biggest three are, First, it has a much smaller negative affect on your credit score then a foreclosure. Second, your eligibility for buying a new home will be quicker than if you have a foreclosure. Third, in most cases the bank will release you from a deficiency judgment. In some cases banks are proceeding against the people they foreclose on for any deficiency.

The real question is why more homeowners aren’t taking advantage of this program. Not every home will qualify for a short sale but when I see the number of foreclosed properties out there it’s obvious that some homeowners are not getting the word. The problem may be a lack of information. That’s why we need to put the word out. If you or anyone you know is staring at foreclosure take action now! When dealing with a real estate agent look for one that has the SFR Certification. That stands for Short sale and Foreclosure Resource. It’s offered by the National Association of Realtors and agents with this designation have special training in the short sale process.

Whatever your situation, don’t give up. Remember what Winston Churchill said: If you’re going through hell…keep going. Whatever the situation, it will get better.

Good Luck.

Gary Benson

EcoBroker Certified

SFR Certified

Keyes Company

Cell: 561-445-2331

Email: bens8382@gmail.com

Web: www.cbarronhomes.com

Short Sales 

If you owe more than your house is worth, your options may have just gotten better. Starting April 5, 2010 the government has instituted some new short sale properties.

First, the good news. The HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) program has been amended. There is money!!!!!! Homeowners who before got nothing from a short sale can now receive up to $3,000 for relocation expenses. There is also money available for servicers, investors and second lien holders. The government reports that more than 90% of all mortgage servicers will be covered under this new program. Some more good news! OK, how about this. Lenders will have to respond to contracts in a much quicker time frame. No more waiting around a year to find the bank decides to reject your offer.

Now, the bad news. Although,= the time is past for implementation, some banks aren’t even aware of the program. If you’re upside down and you’re looking for a way out, now more that ever you need to find a realtor familiar with handling short sales. Look for someone with the SFR designation. That designation stands for Short sale and Foreclosure Resource which indicates additional training in these areas.

If you are a homeowner, remember your options of getting out of an upside down house are improving. Take advantage of the short sale programs available to help you.

First Time Homebuyer?

Last Call !!!!!!

This blog is dedicated to all those procrastinators out there. You know who you are! If you the type that likes to wait until 4pm on April 15 to start your taxes this is for you.

The $8,000 tax credit is coming to an end this month. What you may not know is that the NAR (National Association of Realtors) has just come out and said they are not going to push for an extension. The NAR was one of the driving forces to get the original extension completed and without its support I think there is little chance of tax credit being extended. The general feeling is that any first time homebuyers that were qualified have already have taken advantage of the credit.

What does all this mean to you. If you are the procrastinating type, NOW is the time to stop looking at American Idol and get a house!!! If you’re not prequalified for a mortgage you need to get in front of a mortgage professional TOMORROW. Then call your realtor and start looking. It is not too late but it WILL be in a couple of weeks. Don’t think that you’re going to wait for the next extension because it probably is not going to happen.

Housing prices are at historic lows, mortgage rates are at historic lows and the government is going to pay you to buy a house! If not now….when!!! Don’t be left out if it’s at all possible.