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Archive for January 2009

Loss mitigation consultants are people who are experts at loss mitigation techniques and who can help you stave off foreclosure or at least the negative impacts of foreclosure. Knowing how to prevent foreclosure also means knowing all the loss mitigation techniques and processes. There are two main efforts involved the help whatever loss mitigation technique you choose work. The first is timing, and the second is having an open and organized line of communication. For distressed homeowners, having a third party loss mitigation specialist help with the process can be very beneficial.

Loss mitigation specialists are advantageous to the homeowner because they are not emotionally involved in the home. They are professionals who have had a lot of experience in the field of loss mitigation and dealing with lenders and homeowners throughout the process. They are knowledgeable about how the lenders operate, and what techniques will work best in your situation.

Loss mitigation was introduced by the federal government and mortgage lenders as a way to help lessen foreclosure rates throughout the nation. Since the middle of 2007, foreclosures have been increasing at an alarming rate. Because the economy shows no signs of improvement, this rate will only increase.

Even if you have already been served with a “Notice of Sale” or a “Notice of Default”, you can still rescue your home from being foreclosed upon. What you must realize is that the lenders do not want to take the responsibility of owning and then selling your house. This process is time consuming and tedious, and they would much rather have money than a house. The risks of foreclosing upon are higher than just accepting less of the loan. They will most likely be willing to work with you to change the terms of your loan, a process called a loan modification, or loan mod for short.

Basically what it comes down to is that if you are able to convince your mortgage holder that you can offer less risk with working with them than with them foreclosing upon your house, the lender will be likely to rescind the foreclosure order. Visiting with a loss mitigation specialist such as Access Loss Mitigation can help work with you and your lender to develop a relationship and a plan of action. After the plan is formulated, the foreclosure consultant will work with your mortgage holder to negotiate a loss mitigation method for you. The lender will likely be willing to use at least one method of loss mitigation rather than foreclosure.

Due to the downfalls of our economy over the last few years, there are an unprecedented amount of real estate foreclosures. Experts think that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that there are more to come. People who are invested in real estates, whether by owning a house or investing in a homeowner (such as a mortgage company) are not getting a return on their investments.

Mortgage investors are willing to keep putting money into their investments, just at a lesser amount then they initially agreed to. By putting in lesser amounts, they are practicing loss mitigation, a way to minimize one’s losses. In real estate, there are several loss mitigations to help cope with problems such as foreclosure, loan modifications, shortsales and more.

Utilizing mortgage loss mitigation solutions such as loan modifications is a way to help mortgage lenders stem their losses. Usually, a mortgage lender (such as a bank) does not want to foreclose on a person’s house, as having a physical house is too much work. Instead, they would rather get money. Because homeowners sometimes cannot make their payments, whether for loss of job, illness, bankruptcy, or anything else, mortgage lenders want to be able to recoup whatever money they are able to using any means necessary.

The reason that loan lenders do not like to foreclose on a house is because the process can be expensive due to things like court and attorney fees, and also because the mortgage lender then has to take responsibility for the physical property and to secure a new buyer. This can be time consuming. Instead, it is sometimes in the mortgage holder’s best interests to work with their borrowers to find a reasonable solution such as a loan modification.

A loan modification is a change or modification to the current mortgage terms. If both the homeowner and lender agree to modify the loan, they can modify many things such as the length of the loan, the interest rate of the mortgage, the assets used to secure the mortgage, or any other terms that are able to be amended.

Loan modifications and other loss mitigations can benefit both the homeowner and the mortgage holder. It is a good way for a homeowner who is approaching foreclosure to stave off the process and keep their asset. To find out more about these processes, speak with a loss mitigation specialist such as Access Loss Mitigation.

January 27th, 2009

Short Sale Guide

The real estate and home loan industries are heavily affected by the economy. Foreclosures have reached a record high in a lot or urban areas and many specialists foresee more to come. However, this is a great market for anyone who is looking to purchase their own house or wanting to start investing in real estate.

If you are interested in purchasing a house about to be foreclosed on by means of short sale, there are numerous choices out there to help you every step of the way. A homeowner may be too emotionally invested in the process, so you will want to be informed and have all of your options shown to you so that you may get through the process in the easiest way possible.

The best ways to get help on purchasing a real estate piece through shortsale is to visit a real estate short sale specialist such as Access Loss Mitigation. They will be able to help you view all the options and make the best choice for you.

It may seem overwhelming at first, however knowing what you want will help make the process smoother. Make sure you let your shortsales specialist know what you are looking for, so that they can help explain to you all your choices and options and walk you through the process every step of the way. You want someone that is knowledgeable in the field of short sales and who can explain it to you and help you find the best route for you to take.

Your next step is to work with your short sale specialist to collect any and all the information that the lender and homeowner will need to go through with this shortsale. Information includes your assets and your incomes. Having all of this information prepared will help persuade the lender to agree to the short sale. Your short sales specialist will let you know of any other information you will need.

A real estate shortsale is when a homeowner sells his home for less than what is owed on it due to financial hardships. This sale is agreed upon by the mortgage holder, or lender. The proceeds of the sale are then given to the lender to satisfy the debt owed. In this sale in real estate the lender has the right to endorse or reject the intended sale.

There are troubled homeowners who have a preference shortsales in real estate to avoid having their house foreclosed on and all the negative credit impacts of foreclosure. If you are facing a foreclosure, you should meet with a loss mitigation specialist who can help show you all your options besides foreclosure. Your loss mitigation specialists will have your best interests in mind and will help you to protect your home and assets. Here are some tips on protecting yourself and assets when you choose a short sale:

Before entering into a short sale, be sure to get a legal advice from a loss mitigation specialist, preferably one who has an expertise in short sales such as Access Loss Mitigation. You should also speak to an accountant who can help with the tax ramifications if you choose a real estate short sale.

When you have decided to make the step of a short sale agreement, calling the mortgage holder is your next move. Be sure to speak to a supervisor or someone who can make the decision, and don’t accept the first no you hear. You will also need to send a letter of authorization to the lender which will contain all of the information that the lender will need to research your loan and to speak with anyone involved in the loan or shortsale.

A discussion with a specialist such as Access Loss is in order if you choose this sale in real estate; an accountant could also discuss with you the short sale tax ramifications. When you have reached the stage where you are really decided to enter into this sale in real estate agreement, calling the lender is your next step, however, be sure to talk to the person-in-charge like a supervisor that could make the decision with regards to the real estate short sale.

You will need to write a letter called a hardship letter. This letter will explain to the loan holder your financial information, including why you need to have a real estate short sale. The letter asks the lender to accept the short sale, therefore accepting less than the full mortgage amount. If there is a particular reason for the shortsale, such as illness or an accident, you should include it in the letter.

With the economy in recession and the broader housing market in its worst slump ever, many homeowners are experiencing difficulties paying the mortgage. Often overlooked, a real estate short sale is one solution for home owners who are at serious risk of the lender foreclosing on the property.

Foreclosure is an expensive option for mortgage lenders due to the legal costs and property price loss incurred. Therefore, most mortgage lenders offer options to avoid foreclosure. In a shortsale, the lender accepts a lower sale price for the home than the amount that remains outstanding on the mortgage. The option is particularly attractive in down housing markets where homes are losing value and the owner otherwise finds it impossible to sell the home for at least the price at which it was purchased.

Although shortsales negatively impact the owner’s credit report, the effect is not as punishing as with a foreclosure. Therefore, owners with marginal credit scores who might otherwise experience difficulties finding another mortgage lender can use this option as a springboard to a new, more affordable home.

Mortgage lenders apply various standards when considering the acceptance of a short sale. The terms of agreement are often complicated, and can contain pitfalls for the owner. The owner should clearly understand to what extent the sale proceeds will satisfy the outstanding mortgage debt. If not careful, an unwitting borrower may be surprised to find mortgage bills continuing to accrue even after the home is sold.

Such agreements are typically conducted through the lender’s department of loss mitigation. The diligent owner should engage in an ongoing discussion with the lender in order to ensure the final sales price meets the owner’s expectations for debt reduction, while still allowing the owner the time and financial resources to obtain new housing.

Foreclosure is the most severe option faced by a home owner in dire financial straits. A short sale is the next, less severe option. Other, less radical solutions, such as loan modification and payment forbearance, may be offered by the lender. To avoid being rushed into any complicated agreement, communication with the lender well before foreclosure is imminent is critical for any homeowner who is considering this option. A good way to start researching foreclosure avoidant options such as short sales is to visit a loss mitigation specialist such as Access Loss Mitigaiton.

A real estate short sale is an often overlooked solution for the owner of a home who is experiencing difficulties paying the mortgage. Mortgage lenders stand to lose substantial sums when properties become foreclosed. Therefore, most mortgage lenders offer programs for selling a property for less than the sum outstanding on the mortgage, with the proceeds used to satisfy the outstanding balance on the loan.

The mortgage lender accepts this loss if the lender figures they would lose even more by foreclosing on the property. As the property is usually sold for below market value, a shortsale can be a quick way to relieve financial burden. As such, a short sale can also be in the interest of a borrower who can not keep up with the mortgage payments.

As with foreclosure, a short sale results in a blemish on the mortgagor’s credit history. However, the negative credit effect is less punishing than a foreclosure. During the process of finding a new home, the consequences of a severe credit blemish can effect the homeowner’s ability to find another lender from which to borrow money to purchase the next home. Proceeding through this method, rather than a foreclosure, may allow the distressed borrower to purchase a new home with less difficulty.

Different lenders apply different standards when considering whether or not to accept a sale for less than the amount owed. Before rushing into an agreement, it is critical that the borrower clearly understand if the proceeds from the sale will fully satisfy the outstanding debt. If the proceeds do not fully satisfy outstanding debt, then the borrower remains responsible for the difference, even after his or her former home is sold.

The unprepared borrower may experience a nasty surprise when the home is sold, but the mortgage bills continue to accrue. Therefore, an ongoing discussion with the lender is required to ensure that the final sale price meets the borrower’s expectations as far as satisfaction of the outstanding debt. Communication regarding the sale generally proceeds through the mortgage lender’s loss mitigation department.

The contract terms of a real estate short sale can be complicated, and the results of a misunderstanding severe. Therefore, the wise homeowner should consider first exploring less radical measures to avoid foreclosure, such as a forbearance of payments, or a modification of the loan terms.

The terms ‘refinance’ and ‘mortgage’ are often used together. What does the word ‘refinance’ mean? How is it related to ‘mortgage’? When we buy a house, we often opt for a loan. Loans are either given by financial institutions (generally referred to as ‘banks’) or by private lenders. Sometimes a person opts for a new loan after paying off his existing loan. This is known as ‘refinancing’.

However, it is not mandatory to pay off your existing loan in order to apply for a new loan. Do you know that the rate of interest associated with your loan depends on the monthly installment you pay? In other words, higher interest-rate signifies higher monthly installments. Economic factors like sudden change in the economy also contribute to the hike (or fall) in the rates of interest.

The duration of your mortgage can be altered too. In order to reduce the amount of your monthly installment, you can extend your mortgage period. Likewise, if you want to shorten your mortgage period, you would have to pay more money every month. In general, a 10-year loan attracts lower rates of interest in comparison to a 20-year loan.

The term ‘mortgage refinancing’ is generally applicable to home loans. When should one opt for ‘mortgage refinancing’? In my opinion, when the market changes and interest-rates fall, refinancing is the smart option. However, you must study the market properly before applying for a new loan. There are basically two types of rates of interest- fixed and variable.

If market conditions indicate the increase in interest-rates in near future, you should apply for a mortgage that has fixed interest-rate. However, before applying for a loan, you must consult a financial consultant. Many people fail to realize that sometimes mortgage refinancing is not beneficial. For instance, if you are planning to sell your house in near future, then you must drop the idea of ‘refinancing’.

What are the factors which are considered when you apply for a new loan? Your ‘Credit Score’ is perhaps one of the most important factors that can qualify you (or sometimes disqualify you) for a new mortgage. To prevent a legal proceeding, ‘loss mitigation’ is quite useful. Loan modification, short sale and ‘deed in lieu’ are some of the types of ‘loss mitigation’ that you must learn about.