Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource San Jose, CA

Keep Your Home California, New Mortgage Assistance Offered to Struggling Homeowners

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:33:59 GMT

Keep Your Home California, New Mortgage Assistance Offered to Struggling Homeowners

Last week, on January 10, 2011, the State of California launched the “Keep Your Home California” campaign with the rollout of the Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMA). The UMA program is expected to assist as many as 60,000 eligible homeowners by providing a mortgage payment subsidy of up to $3,000 for a maximum of six months.

Eligible unemployed homeowners facing imminent foreclosure should call for the chance to apply for the state funded mortgage assistance program. Phone lines are now open 888-954-KEEP (5337) and the agency has already received over 1200 calls over the first two days.

Supported by $2 billion in recent federal funding by the US Treasury, Keep Your Home California is a compilation of four unique programs that will become available over the next few months to eligible California families who are struggling to pay their mortgages.

The campaign is designed to address different aspects of the current housing crisis by offering the following programs:

Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMA) – up to $3,000 a month in mortgage payments for up to six months for mortgagors actively collecting unemployment benefits.
Mortgage Reinstatement Assistance Program (MRAP) – up to $15,000 for reinstatement of arrearages.
Principal Reduction Program (PRP) – up to $50,000 contribution toward principal balance reduction.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – up to $5,000 in transition assistance for short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure.

The programs are designed to assist those homeowners who have experienced a change in household circumstance such as death, illness or disability, or are subject to a recent or upcoming increase in their monthly mortgage payment and are at risk of default because of this economic hardship when coupled with a severe decline in their home's value.

But these programs are only available to homeowners whose mortgage servicing company agrees to the terms and conditions governing the use of these funds. So far participating lenders, loan servicers and agencies include Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, GMAC, CalHFA, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the government-sponsored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If your servicer is not currently participating in Keep Your Home California, you may want to call them and encourage them to do so. For more information and the most recent list of services participating please visit: http://www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org/

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group in San Jose, CA

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

There are many resources available to distressed homeowners in San Jose, CA as well as the greater Santa Clara County area including local real estate professionals who have been trained to assist distressed homeowners review their foreclosure alternatives.

Foreclosures Freeze Across the Nation…Or Are They?

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:49:32 GMT

Foreclosures Freeze Across the Nation…Or Are They?

October 14, 2010 (San Jose, CA) - I’m sure that almost everyone by now has heard that a number of major banks have decided to freeze, or temporarily stop all active foreclosures in select states across the US. But the message is still unclear about how this latest foreclosure fiasco might impact homeowners in California.

So far the recent halting of foreclosures is just a voluntary action by these lenders and has not yet been mandated by either the states or the federal government. This action comes as a response to findings that questioned whether lenders have followed correct foreclosure procedures in the 23 states that require a judicial foreclosure process, or court confirmation prior to foreclosure. Findings have revealed that there may have been fraudulent paperwork filed, or media dubbed “robo-signed” documents, by these banks during the foreclosure process.

In reaction to these highly publicized findings, last week Federal agencies, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Housing Administration, and the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, asked lenders and servicers to postpone their active foreclosures while they review their foreclosure processes in all states, not just the ones directly affected. Following their request, only JP Morgan Chase, GMAC and Bank of America have decided to temporarily suspend their foreclosure process while they internally audit their files. But other banks such as PNC Mortgage and Wells Fargo have yet to stop any of their foreclosure activity although they are internally reviewing their foreclosure process.

While the banks claim that these recent problems with their foreclosure documents are merely technical and that homeowners in default will continue to be foreclosed upon, teams of lawyers representing the homeowners are trying to claim that filing any flawed foreclosure documents with the court is fraud. If it is ultimately determined that some of these foreclosures were in fact wrongful due to the inaccuracy of any court filed documents, then some previous buyers of foreclosed homes in the 23 states affected could face title claims by the previous owners who may have been wrongfully evicted.

In CA, the foreclosure process is dominated by non-judicial procedures (also known as Trustee's Sales) but there are still legal requirements that must be met by these lenders before they have the right to foreclose. Which is why, due to the recent publicized findings, the attorney's general offices in all 50 states are simultaneously launching an investigations into whether or not these corner-cutting banks have in fact broken the law as they pushed countless delinquent homeowners from their homes. But so far, only Bank of America has temporarily suspended its foreclosures in CA, while all other lenders are continuing their foreclosures.

Nonetheless, REALTORS in CA have already begun to report the immediate impact of even one bank's moratorium on foreclosures. We are seeing delays in escrows in transactions that involve properties that have been foreclosed by Bank of America, as well as the total removal of their listed foreclosures from the housing market. And due to these temporary actions by Bank of America, Buyers are extremely cautious about making offers on any bank owned listings, no matter which bank owns the property.

But REALTORS in CA remain optimistic that this recent media storm will be short-lived since there isn’t any indication yet whether other lenders will follow suit, and for the moment it seems safe to assume that this one bank is merely reacting in a knee-jerk manner. This also means that all other CA homeowners will probably not see any direct affect from the “foreclosure freeze” other than it creating an additional speed bump in an already prolonged recovery. Assuming that Bank of America’s moratorium will be lifted in the next month, the flow of REOs to the market should resume, but the uncertainty created by their moratorium has already caused hesitation on the part of homebuyers.

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group in San Jose, CA

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

CIty of San Jose Offers Free Foreclosure Couseling Services

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:35:41 GMT

Attention San Jose Homeowners & Tenants

FREE City sponsored resources for those impacted by Foreclosure

September 7, 2010 (San Jose, CA) - If you find yourself in the unfortunate event of falling behind on mortgage payments, or struggling to meet your mortgage obligations, or being pressured by your landlord to move out due to foreclosure, then you may want to contact the local ForeclosureHelp services offered through the City of San Jose.

There is FREE assistance available – ForeclosureHelp (http://www.ForeclosureHelpscc.org) is a City of San Jose Housing Department program. Volunteers from the local Real Estate and Lending communities volunteer their time to provide information and referral services to assist families impacted by foreclosure and to help them navigate through the foreclosure process.

IMPORTANT: You don’t have to be in foreclosure to receive assistance. Help is available for those that may be impacted by foreclosure including those that are currently being foreclosed by their lenders, those that are in jeopardy of being foreclosed on by their lenders, and even tenants of properties that have been foreclosed

Services are provided to San Jose Metropolitan area residents and include prevention, intervention and family re-stabilization. By appointment, volunteer staff is available to discuss your circumstances and connect you to the appropriate resources including HUD-certified foreclosure prevention counselors, nonprofit legal services, emergency financial assistance and other housing services.

Through the ForeclosureHelp services, homeowners can receive key information that may help them stay in their homes. The most important service offered through this agency is the ability to meet with someone both familiar with the foreclosure process and the FREE resources available through the City in order to hopefully provide a sense direction to those impacted by the foreclosure process.

Foreclosure alternatives include loan modifications, deed’s in lieu of foreclosure, and even short sales. For tenants, the City offers programs that can provide rental and legal assistance. And for those that may have been impacted by foreclosure scams there is also legal assistance available.

Contact the City of San Jose’s Foreclosure Help by calling (408) 794-1242 or visiting their website - http://www.ForeclosureHelpscc.org.

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group in San Jose, CA

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

Eagle Launches Foreclosure Alternatives Website for Distressed Homeowners

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:43:35 GMT

Eagle Launches Foreclosure Alternatives Website for Distressed Homeowners

(August 21, 2010 - San Jose, CA) - There is no question about it, these are troubled times...in fact, today it is reported that nearly 1 out of every 10 homeowners in America is behind on mortgage payments¹. Foreclosure is becoming an all too familiar sign throughout the neighborhoods of San Jose and the greater Santa Clara County. And, chances are that you or someone you know in your community is unfortunately facing the possibility of a bank foreclosure of their home.

Now more than ever, it's important to identify the options that may be available if you face this daunting situation. What I’ve learned through my experiences assisting families facing foreclosure while working as a real estate professional here in San Jose is that homeowners tend to have more questions than answers about their circumstances, and unfortunately there is not a lot of reliable information available to them.

This is why I have created this on-line resource…ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com; in an effort to help those unfortunate enough to be facing foreclosure gain a better understanding of possible solutions available to them. Because when you've fallen behind on your mortgage the thought of losing a home can often be extremely overwhelming, and simply ignoring it won't make it go away.

The website aims to better explain foreclosure alternative options (including short sales) to those most impacted by the unstable economy. Plus, the site is loaded with a whole library of FREE Reports available for download that will hopefully provide some answers, or at least clarify some options, so that a distressed homeowner will have enough information to choose a proper course of action and hopefully avoid foreclosure.

This new website is a part of the Eagle Properties Group’s ever growing commitment to our community and to our goal of helping the homeowners that have been hit hardest by the financial bust. The site is hosted in conjunction with the Certified Distressed Property Expert^® (CDPE) Institute, which earlier this month we earned our CDPE designation having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales.

Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Distressed Property Institute in Austin, Texas, said that agents with the CDPE Designation have valuable perspective on the market, and training in short sales that can offer homeowners real alternatives to foreclosure, which can be devastating to credit ratings.

“These experts better understand market conditions than the average agent, and can help sellers through the complications of foreclosure avoidance,” he said.

At a time when millions of homeowners are struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education amassed by our brokerage will help benefit Santa Clara County-area residents and communities. And spreading the right information will hopefully reach those distressed homeowners that need it the most.

¹Ref.: San Jose Mercury News article (8/27/2010) - http://www.mercurynews.com/real-estate-news/ci_15901253

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group in San Jose, CA

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

Top Foreclosure Rescue Scams – Coming to a Neighborhood Near You!

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:51:54 GMT

Top Foreclosure Rescue Scams – Coming to a Neighborhood Near You!

(August 26, 2010 - San Jose, CA) Attention San Jose, CA area residents - with the current climate in the housing industry, and overall economy for that matter, it’s no surprise that some people may look for any angle in order to get ahead, and sometimes this may include taking advantage of those in financial desperation.
Unfortunately, distressed homeowners trying to avoid the loss of their home through foreclosure are finding out the hard way these days that they may have fallen prey to an unscrupulous scam artist (or as they refer to themselves as “real estate investors”).

The scariest part is that if you’re currently delinquent on your mortgage then chances are that you may have already met a few face-to-face, as these so-called “investors” frequently stalk the occupants of distressed properties for any possibility of “assisting them to avoid a foreclosure.”

But beware of their empty promises, there are no quick corners to cut in order to “avoid foreclosure,” and there are also many legalities surrounding the foreclosure process in which homeowners should be aware of before they allow anyone to provide any such “foreclosure prevention services” or pay any upfront fees of any kind.

Potential victims are easy to find: mortgage lenders publish notices before foreclosing on homes. Private firms frequently compile and sell lists of these foreclosed properties and distressed borrowers.

After reading these notices, con artists approach their targets in person, by mail, over the telephone, or by e-mail. They often advertise their services on television, radio, or the Web, and in newspapers, describing themselves as “foreclosure consultants” or “mortgage consultants,” offering “foreclosure prevention” or “foreclosure rescue” services.

Here are the top Foreclosure and Loan Modification scams happening in your neighborhood:

1. Foreclosure “Rescue” and Refinance Fraud. The scam artist offers to act as an intermediary between you and your lender to negotiate a repayment plan or loan modification and may even “guarantee” to save your home from foreclosure. You may be told to make mortgage payments to the scammer directly — along with significant, up-front fees — and be told that the scammer will forward the payments to your lender. In reality, the scammer may pocket your money and leave you in worse shape on your loan. The scam artist also may tell you to stop making payments or stop communicating with your lender. Don’t follow that advice, remember that your mortgage lender should be the starting point for finding options to avoid foreclosure and you also should consider contacting qualified and approved credit counselors.

2. Fake “Government” Modification Programs. Unscrupulous people may claim to be affiliated with, or approved by, the government or may ask you to pay high up-front fees to qualify for government mortgage modification programs. While government-supported mortgage modification and refinancing initiatives are legitimate, the scam artists’ claims are not. Keep in mind that you do not have to pay to benefit from these government programs. All you need to do is contact your lender or loan servicer. Additionally, the scam artist’s name or Web site may be very similar to those of government agencies. These tactics are designed to fool you into thinking the scam artist is somehow approved by, or affiliated with, the government. The government is taking actions to stop this fraud, but you also need to protect yourself. Your lender will be able to tell you whether you qualify for any government initiatives to prevent foreclosure.

3. Leaseback/Rent-to-buy Schemes. In this type of scam, you are asked to transfer the title to your home to the scammer, who will, supposedly, obtain new and better financing and/or allow you to remain in the home as a renter and eventually buy it back. The agreement may be very hard to comply with, because it may require, for instance, high up-front costs and monthly payments that you may not be able to afford. In fact, the scammers may have no intention of ever selling the home back to you. And remember, transferring your title does not change your payment obligations — you will still owe your mortgage debt. The difference will be that you will no longer own your home.

4. Bankruptcy Scams. You may have heard that filing bankruptcy will stop a foreclosure. This is true — but only temporarily. Filing bankruptcy brings an “automatic stay” into effect that stops any collection and foreclosure while the bankruptcy court administers the case. Eventually, you must start paying your mortgage lender, or the lender will be able to foreclose. Bankruptcy is rarely, if ever, a permanent solution to prevent foreclosure. In addition, bankruptcy will negatively impact your credit score and will remain on your credit report for 10 years.

5. Debt-elimination Schemes. Scammers may claim to be able to “eliminate” your debt by making illegitimate legal arguments that you are not obligated to pay back your mortgage. These scammers will provide you with inaccurate claims about applicable laws and finance, such as that “secret laws” can be used to eliminate debt or that banks do not have the authority to lend money. Do not stop making payments on your mortgage based on their claims.

Always proceed with caution when dealing with anyone offering to help you modify your mortgage or avoid foreclosure. Remember that you do not need a third party to work with your lender — any such party should make the process easier, not harder and more expensive.

The main ways to protect yourself from falling victim to a foreclosure scam are to:

Always keep in contact with your lender no matter what anyone else says;
Always make payments on your mortgage to your lender and no one else;
Avoid paying upfront fees of any kind;
Always understand what you are signing before you sign it;
Never, under any circumstances, sign the title of your property away to anyone without proper legal counsel;
Be sure to get all promises in writing.

It’s important that homeowners understand that there are FREE foreclosure counseling services and loan modification services available. One of the most important services is offered by your lender, and if your lender becomes unresponsive then the government has sponsored a number of other resources such as the “Hope Now Alliance” and “Making Home Affordable” programs.

But it’s up to you to keep yourself from falling prey to a foreclosure scam. Work with real estate professionals with a proven track record of assisting homeowners in your similar situation. And for more information on these scams and ways in which you can protect yourself, please visit http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/ADVISORY/2008-1.html

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group in San Jose, CA

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

How can the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Assistance (HAFA) program help you?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:53:09 GMT

How can the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Assistance (HAFA) program help you?

(August 24, 2010 - San Jose, CA) HAFA is a government-subsidized Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program for distressed homeowners to sell their homes to avoid foreclosure, even if the sales price is not enough to pay off their existing mortgage loans. Under HAFA, a participating lender will pre-approve the terms of a short sale and give the borrower at least 4 months to market and sell the property using a licensed real estate professional.

Until recently, lenders have only had their own way to process short sales, but with the new HAFA program, the government hopes to provide lenders with a standardized process that will also provide additional incentives for the lenders if they choose to follow the program.

Eligibility

The HAFA program is not for everyone; homeowners looking to sell their home through this program must qualify and show a valid hardship. The property must also be the homeowner’s primary residence, their loan must have been originated prior to 2009, they must currently be delinquent on their mortgage or default must be reasonably foreseeable, the first mortgage balance cannot exceed $729,750, and the homeowner must be eligible for but unable to qualify for the Home Affordable Modification Program.

So how do you know if you really qualify?

If your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, then this program will automatically apply to your short sale request. To check whether your loan is owned by Fannie or Freddie please read this article: http://www.eaglehomegroup.com/WhoOwnsYourMortgage

If your loan is not owned by Fannie or Freddie, then it is up to your loan servicer and the investor who actually owns your mortgage. For a list of participating lenders please visit http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/contact_servicer.html

The only way to really figure out if you will be eligible for the HAFA program is to apply through your lender. Also each participating lender will have its own written policy for approving or rejecting a HAFA short sale, based on factors such as the severity of the loss, market conditions, the borrower’s motivation and cooperation, property valuation, and title review.

How does it work?

Under the HAFA program, the government may provide the homeowner with up to $3,000 for relocation expenses, provide the loan servicers $1,500 for each successful short sale, and provide the actual investor behind the mortgage with up to $2,000 to use towards the payoff of any junior liens.

Once your lender has determined that your short sale request may qualify for the HAFA program, the lender will then provide you and your listing agent with instructions on how to complete a successful short sale. But, just because your lender approves a short sale request under the HAFA program does not mean that any junior lien holders must comply with the sale. Junior lien holders are still free to decide whether they will authorize a short payoff in return for releasing their lien from the subject property – which may or may not also include a release of liability from the loan as well.

An approved HAFA short sale may still have serious tax, credit, financial, legal, and other consequences. A homeowner is strongly encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding these consequences.

For more information on this program please visit the government’s website for the HAFA program at http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/hafa.html

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Bradley Gill, REALTOR, CDPE, SFR

Broker/Owner of Eagle Properties Group

Email me: ForeclosureHelpSJ@gmail.com

Distressed Homeowner Assistance: www.ForeclosureHelpSanJose.com

Can a Short Sale help you Avoid Foreclosure?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:10:56 GMT

Can a Short Sale help you Avoid Foreclosure?

The first thing to remember is that a short sale should be a last alternative to foreclosure, allowing you to sell your home if you owe more than your home’s value, but still ends in a similar outcome – losing your home. A short sale can definitely provide a benefit to the underwater homeowner looking to avoid a foreclosure on their record by selling their home before the bank forecloses, but before you rush down that path it is important to understand that other options may exist that could help you keep your home.

Are there other options available to me that may help me keep my home?

Absolutely, and this is the most important thing that anyone considering a short sale must understand. There are more foreclosure alternatives available today to distressed homeowner’s than ever before. If you have any interest in keeping your home then you should look into all of the following before making a final decision to sell:

· Refinance Programs – Most refinancing programs will require homeowners to be current on their mortgage payments; be able to prove valid employment and adequate incomes; and have enough equity remaining in their homes to qualify. There are some government sponsored refinancing programs being offered (through Making Home Affordable – see “Homeowner Resources” section at end of Guide) that can assist even those who do not meet all of these requirements.

· Loan Modification Programs – If refinancing is out of the question due to a financial hardship (such as loss of employment), or if you find that you have already fallen behind on your mortgage payments, then a loan modification or re-payment plan would be the next alternative to look into. Many lenders are more than willing to modify their borrower’s home mortgages as long as they would reasonably benefit from lowered payments or even principal reductions. But then again, not all lenders will offer their borrowers such programs, and not all distressed homeowners can qualify.

· Loan Forbearance – Often time’s lenders can offer borrowers a limited amount of time to stop making payments in the hopes that the borrower will be able to get back on their feet and resume payments at the end of the forbearance period

· Rent the Property – If the mortgage payments are low enough and the rental market is strong enough, then it could make sense to move out of the property and then rent it to a tenant. But property management comes with additional expenses and liabilities that should be discussed with competent real estate professionals.

· Bankruptcy – Often misperceived as the “fix-all” solution for financial hardships, bankruptcy may or may not allow you to keep your home. If the homeowner has non-mortgage debts that cause a shortfall of paying their mortgage payments and a personal bankruptcy will eliminate these debts, this may be a viable solution. But, if you don’t have any equity remaining in your property and you cannot make the mortgage payments or reinstate your mortgage, then a bankruptcy will not save your home, it may delay the foreclosure process by weeks or even months, but it will not stop the process (it will also ruin your credit and can only be declared once every 7 years).

When do you know you’re ready for a Short Sale?

If all other options fail and keeping your home is not an option then maybe it’s time that you looked into a short sale as an alternative to foreclosure. You can bet on one thing during the foreclosure process, your lender will NOT continue to stall the foreclosure process once started, and if you are not working with them on one of the options above, or if your lender has already turned you down for these options, then it may be time to seek assistance from a local real estate professional knowledgeable in short sale transactions.

While not always the case, underwater sellers who have listed their homes for short sale may have missed mortgage payments and may not be able to financially afford their home any longer. Perhaps an interest rate adjustment has made the mortgage payment too expensive or their interest-only adjustable-rate-mortgage (ARM) has now begun to incorporate additional payments of principal. Or perhaps the homeowner has lost a substantial source of income, suffered a financial crisis, or other circumstance that has created difficulty for the homeowner to repay their mortgage.

Whatever the case may be, homeowners must be able to prove to their mortgage lenders that they are currently suffering from or will inevitably suffer from a viable financial hardship…and the homeowner’s lenders must see evidence of such hardship. Without a hardship it may be improbable that a lender will allow a short sale over a foreclosure, although it is always up to the lender to decide, and lenders usually do what’s financially in their own best interests.

It may take more paperwork to get out of your mortgage than it did when you got into your mortgage! A short sale requires much paperwork, preparation and patience on behalf of both the seller (borrower) as well as the buyer. Typically, before applying for a short sale, the seller must have all their paper work prepared and ready to present to their lender along with a valid purchase agreement with a fully able buyer. The buyer of a short sale must also be prepared to wait patiently for the seller to receive such required lender approval and, once approved, be ready to act in a protracted time period to conclude the purchase of the property.

Are there downsides to a Short Sale?

In short, a short sale is an alternative to foreclosure and nothing more than negotiating with lien holders a payoff for less than what they are owed, or rather a sale of a debt, generally on a piece of real estate, short of the full debt amount. A short sale does not extinguish the remaining balance unless settlement by the seller’s lender(s) has been clearly indicated on the acceptance of the short payoff. And, although the lender may consider the loan satisfied through a short sale, the IRS may look upon any such forgiven debt as income (by issuance of a 1099-C) and the seller could be responsible for paying income taxes (both Federal and State) on any such forgiven debt (homeowners should seek professional tax guidance from certified professionals).

At least with short sales, there is usually always a little room for negotiation. Although different from foreclosure, in which there is no negotiation of terms available, short sales offer the seller the chance to negotiate the terms of how a lender may handle any deficiency balances as well as how the short sale may be reported on their credit report. These negotiations may come at an additional cost to the homeowner, in the form of cash contributions from the seller at closing or even requiring a promissory, whatever the case may be, the short sale process allows the seller options that a foreclosure will not provide.

Where to Begin?

Simply listing your home “for sale” when you owe more on your mortgage(s) than the current market value of your home is not an as easy task, nor is it always a guaranteed solution. Careful thought, consideration and planning should be given to the task of selling your home versus simply walking away when you are faced with being upside-down in your mortgage and wanting to move. There must be a REASON for your mortgage holders to allow a short sale.

It is important to understand that not all lenders will allow short sales or accept discounted payoffs, especially if it would make more financial sense to foreclose; moreover, not all sellers nor all properties qualify for short sales. As such, homeowners contemplating a short sale should learn more about your Foreclosure and Short Sale Resources before proceeding with the sale of their home.

At the End of Your Rope?

Free report details 10 ways to alleviate the stress of an unaffordable mortgage payment.

Millions of homeowners across the nation are experiencing difficulties paying their mortgages. If you or someone you care about is feeling the stress of an unaffordable mortgage, please take the time to review the report found on this website.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I've been extensively trained to counsel and guide homeowners through their options. There are dignified solutions available to help people get back on path to financial stability. My clients have found strength in the knowledge that they are able to take an active role in avoiding foreclosure.

They know that avoiding foreclosure is key in providing for a brighter future. Foreclosure can wreak havoc on credit and affect current and future employment status in addition to many other long-lasting side effects. In the report, I demonstrate just how harmful foreclosure is in comparison to an extremely effective alternative called a short sale.

I can help you or someone you care about create a strategy for living a life without the burden of missed payments. Call me today, and let's work together to put you back on the path of financial stability.

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.

Bradley Gill
(408) 204-7699

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

Foreclosure or Short Sale: Understand the Differences

Underwater on your mortgage? Facing foreclosure? Avoiding foreclosure through a short sale can have many benefits for your future financial stability.

I created this site to help spread the word about the options to avoiding foreclosure, and a short sale has many benefits. A successful short sale can reduce the damage to one's future loan eligibility, credit rating, employment, security clearance and more.

For a free report on the differences between short sales and foreclosure, fill out the form below and click "Send". If your situation is urgent, feel free to contact me immediately. I'm ready to help you take action and secure a more secure financial future.

As a CDPE-designated agent, I've been trained to pursue foreclosure alternatives, and I'm here to help.

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.

Bradley Gill
(408) 204-7699

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.

Bradley Gill
(408) 204-7699

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!

Strategic Defaults are NOT Strategic

Walking Away Is NOT The Answer

You may have heard that a “strategic default” can be an appropriate and even beneficial reaction to an upside-down mortgage or impending foreclosure. While this idea is widespread, the truth is that default is never an easy road to choose, and rarely ever strategic.

Unfortunately, the ramifications of a “strategic default” are rarely explained, leaving many homeowners stranded on an island of misinformation. To assist you, I’ve prepared a free report outlining the myths and misrepresentations of strategic defaults.

Fill out your information below for this free report. Don’t hesitate. Get the facts today!

Avoiding Mortgage Modification Fraud

I Am An Agent Against Mortgage Fraud!

The last thing struggling homeowners need is to be victimized by fraud. Sadly, some people are praying on those who need help the most. Today, the real estate industry is the newest, biggest target for predatory schemes. In fact, the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, stated that mortgage fraud cases are 400 percent higher than they were five years ago.

With nearly 1 in 6 homeowners unable to pay their mortgages, understand that you are not alone. Knowing your legitimate foreclosure-avoidance options is the best way to fight this terrible trend.

The report on this site will tell you how to avoid mortgage fraud schemes, as well as what solutions are available to you. Enter your information below and get the facts now!

Understanding HAFA

New Help Has Arrived!

The rising number of foreclosures in this country is simply too big to ignore. That is why a government-backed program has been released that aims at streamlining foreclosure avoidance options.

Short sales and deeds-in-lieu are dignified solutions to foreclosure, and now the government is making them easier, quicker and more accessible through the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA.

With one in six homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments, you are not alone, and there are options available. With the free report provided here, find out if you qualify for the HAFA Program. Simply fill out your information below to get started on your new chapter of financial stability.

Please read this report to learn the facts, and contact me to begin your journey to a solid, stable tomorrow.

A Dignified Solution

You Deserve a Dignified Solution

The economy today has been especially hard on homeowners. I meet people every day who thought they made a responsible decision on their mortgage loan, only to be hit with the unexpected.

The first and best move to make in this position is to educate yourself on what your options are based on your financial situation. Avoiding foreclosure is always something worth pursuing if you can, and there really are dignified alternatives available.

To get my free report on all the options and benefits of avoiding foreclosure, fill out the form below and click "Send". If you need immediate assistance, please contact me right away.

I'm here to help.

Change the Course!

You Can Change the Course!

If you feel like shifting economic winds have not been in your favor lately, you are in good company. More than 6 million homeowners nationwide are in some stage of foreclosure.

If this is the case with you or someone you care about, you are all too aware of the stress and uncertainty that accompanies notices of default, unwanted phone calls and offers of help that turn out to be no help at all.

The fact is, the last thing your bank wants is to foreclose on your home. Banks are willing to negotiate, and you need someone on your side who is adept at negotiating with banks.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am tapped into the best solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start. If you'd like to learn more, I invite you to access my free report: "Change the Course! And Navigate Away from an Unmanageable Mortgage."

Contact me today and let's get started!

Make Financial Stability Your Resolution

Foreclosure Stress Never Goes on Holiday

If a foreclosure is threatening your happy holiday, you should know you're not alone. Millions of Americans are in the same situation, and it is my goal to help ease the stress that comes with the threat of foreclosure for as many as I can reach.

As a CDPE-designated agent, I help struggling homeowners navigate the various options they have to avoid foreclosure. One possible option is a mortgage modification, which makes monthly payments more affordable.

For more information regarding this and other solutions, please download the free report located on this site.

If you need immediate assistance, please feel free to contact me throughout the holiday. I'm here to help. Make financial stability your resolution for the New Year!

Government Program Surveys

Are You Eligible?

The government programs currently available to homeowners can be valuable resources, but only if you know which ones are right for your situation.

That’s why I’ve created this free resource that lets you find out which programs you’re eligible for. Read the descriptions for each program to see which one fits your situation, then fill out the corresponding survey to see if you are eligible.

Are you eligible?

The good news is that programs exist for a variety of situations, and even more options are available beyond those programs. As a CDPE-designated agent, I can provide all of your possibilities and help you get moving toward a solution.

Cash for Short Sales

Short Sales are More Valuable Than Ever!

Avoiding foreclosure is always a smart move, but now there are incentives that make it an even better one.

Short sales and deeds-in-lieu are dignified solutions to foreclosure, and now the government is making them easier and quicker through the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA, which also gives the homeowner $3,000 for participating.

With the free report provided here, you can learn all the benefits of completing a HAFA short sale. Simply fill out your information below for details on the program and how you would benefit.

Please read this report to learn the facts, and contact me to start exploring solutions.

Credit Score Issues

Don't Let Your Credit Score Drop Unnecessarily

Avoiding foreclosure now could make or break your attempts to get a loan in the near future and determine whether you can get affordable interest rates.

That's why I've made this site available for anyone in our community struggling with mortgage payments. Foreclosure alternatives like short sales and deeds-in-lieu allow homeowners to avoid many of the damaging effects of foreclosure. In addition, short sales may have less of an impact on credit scores than foreclosure.

To get all the information on how these options affect your credit score, fill out the form below and click "Send". If you need immediate assistance, contact me right away.

I'm here to assist you.

Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy

Considering filing for bankruptcy? There may be alternatives you've never considered …

If you are having trouble paying your mortgage and are possibly considering bankruptcy, there may be better solutions for your particular circumstances. I've created the free report available on this page, "The Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy," to provide more information.

Alternatives to foreclosure, such as conducting a short sale and moving into a rental residence with less expensive payments, may offer the breathing room you need to reorganize your finances.

To get your free report, fill out the form below and click send. However, if your situation is urgent and you need immediate assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I'm here to assist you.