Is a Short Sale Right for you?

If you live anywhere in Maricopa County in Arizona (the greater Phoenix, Scottsdale and surrounding cities) and you either purchased your home or refinanced it during 2005 – 2007 there’s a huge probability that you are underwater in terms of your property value – what you paid vs. what you owe.  Each neighborhood is different.  Some have seen property values decline greater than 50%.  Other’s have lost friends, families and neighbors to a foreclosure onslaught.  The reasons vary.  Initially we had the sub prime mortgages that defaulted.  Then, we saw a plunge brought on by lender owned homes in the area, especially the outlying suburbs.  Job losses brought on further decline in established neighborhoods as unfortunately a lot of homeowners were unable to afford their mortgage obligations and ended up either doing short sales or lost their homes in a trustee sale.  We’ve seen ARMs reset – and will continue to for a number of years which will further make it difficult for some home owners to make their new monthly mortgage payment as it may be substantially higher when the ARMs reset to a new APR. 

Interestingly, with property values down, rents seems to have increased.  Also, we’re seeing investors come in again and pick up properties to add to their investment portfolios.  If you can get a fairly new home, decent size for less than $50.00/sq ft & put a tenant in you’re going to see positive cash flow.  But that’s a different blog article.  Today I want to talk about shortsales exclusively.

I’ll have people call me to ask if a shortsale is right for them.  This is a good thing!  I find these are motivated sellers and somewhat educated on the market and at least realistic to know that they need help.  The profile of this seller is someone who acknowledges there is a problem but is hopeful that there may be a solution. 

The point I want to illustrate though is that regardless of what you read or what you heard there is no cookie cutter response to if a short sale is right for you or not.  Every situation is unique.  If your neighbor, colleague, brother, anyone has shared with you their experience that’s great, good or bad but that doesn’t mean you will have the exact experience or that your situation or the solutions for you will be the same either.  This is important for people to understand.  There is a lot of misinformation out there.  Everyone and their mother has a friend who said this or did that or this is what happened.  NO!  Do you hear me? NO!  For you and only you, your situation is NOT the same as any of them.  For starters your home is different.  Even if it’s the same floor plan on the same street.  It’s different.  Your bank,  your loan, your down payment, how current you are etc. etc.  Even if you both have the loan from say the same bank – chances are it’s still different.  Maybe yours was originated by that bank whereas your friends is only serviced by that bank.  Do you know the difference?  I’m guessing not.  And I could go on but I don’t want to get preachy.  The point is just because Aunt Sallie said this or Uncle Joe had this happened doesn’t mean diddly squat!   So, what do you do? You talk to a Realtor who has experience closing short sales, or a number of Realtors, whatever your comfort level is.  You talk to an accountant, you talk to a lawyer, preferably a real estate lawyer.  You utilize the professional opinions of these folks to figure out if this will make sense for you and your situation. 

I hope this helps you, especially if you’re prone to asking everyone else but the professionals that really matter on whether this is a good solution for  you.  Think of it this way.  Aunt Sally may have a lot of experience visiting doctors but can she really tell if that pimple on your back is carcinogenic or may become some day just by looking at it? No.  If the pimple is hurting, go see a doctor.  You may have to start with your family doctor, you may have to run some tests.  You may be sent to a dermatologist or an oncologist but regardless you have to pursue it or the pain won’t go away.  If you need to sell your home today for any reason whatsoever, and if you are underwater and couldn’t sell it to recover enough proceeds to cover the debt a shortsale is probably your best option but listen to people who are in the business vs. lay persons. 

I have seen too many people recently just walk away because they don’t want to deal with this or because they are so confused by listening to every Joe out there that it sickens me.  I don’t charge for a consultation.  Most of my colleagues don’t charge for a consultation.  You owe yourself to make educated decisions about yours and your families financial future.  It’s not the end of the world although it may seem that way sometimes. 

All the best!

2010 Calendar’s

Drop us an email with your address 12/28 – 12/31 & we’ll send out our 2010 Calendar to you right away – just in time for the New Years!

Mondrian headed toward foreclosure

Mondrian headed toward foreclosure.

First we heard about the ever hip “W” in old town (downtown) Scottsdale facing financial woes; next the Intercontinental Montelucia resort in Paradise Valley made it to the front pages of the AZ Republic months ago and not just because President Obama decided to stay at the uber trendy Moroccan inspired resort by breaking tradition and snubbing the Arizona Biltmore resort (which incidentally has had it’s own share of problems and made it on the auction block along with The Wigwam in Litchfield Park) but now the Mondrian is heading in the direction of foreclosure.

What’s next one has to wonder? It’s the Holidays and I know what you’re thinking.  Let’s spread joy and cheer and enough of the doom and gloom already.  The silver lining.  Keep this in mind.  For every dark cloud there is always opportunity for those with the right mindset and means.  So, while it’s someone loss and it’s sad, the truth is someone savvy’s gain is just around the corner.

That’s my message this holiday season.  Keep looking forward.  Opportunity and fortune truly favors the brave and the bold.

Mazal tov, Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas and Merry bountiful opportunity to all…

Uzi Husain,

Certified Short Sale Negotiator, REALTOR(R)

Foreclosures lead market

Foreclosures lead market.

We’re not out of the woods yet.  Not nationwide and certainly not in the Valley.  With trillions of dollars of ARMs still to reset in the coming months/years; unemployment still high & the economy far from showing signs of stability and growth home ownership continues to be for a lot of people their most expensive and challenging expense.  While in the first phase of the housing debacle we saw subprime mortgages as the culprit, and the fringes of the valley were mostly impacted we’re now seeing the mid and high end markets catching up.  In North Scottsdale shortsale listings have increased.  Even Paradise Valley is not immune.

Homeowners today are more educated about their options and unlike in 2007 when the “tsunami” as some call it first hit us, today most people are more comfortable with pursuing a short sale vs. simply walking away because they realize the benefits of a successful short sale on their credit, their family, and the emotional turmoil vs. a foreclosure.

To learn more about what other options you have if you are underwater or soon won’t be able to keep up with your house payments drop me a line.

Uzi Husain, CSSN, REALTOR® North Scottsdale Realtor  Luxury Homes by Uzi Scottsdale Short Sales & Relocation

http://www.homesbyuzihusain.com

Scottsdale getting ready to use $14.1 million in stimulus funds

Scottsdale getting ready to use $14.1 million in stimulus funds.

Accountability, it’s a lovely thing isn’t it?

Cheers,

Uzi Husain, CSSN, Realtor(R)

North Scottsdale Homes by Uzi Husain