Short sale and foreclosure scammers come out of the woodwork when opportunity presents itself, and in today’s market, when as many as one in four homeowners are underwater in some areas, “foreclosure expert” scammers see the tree ripe for picking.

   Understandably homeowners will buy in when a person or “company” says they can make the problem disappear.  That is human nature.  The first red flag is when the “foreclosure consultant” asks for money up front.  If you, or someone you know,  has been victimized by such a “forclosure consultant”, gather as much information as possible and report that to the Better Business Bureau, a local and state Consumer Protection office,  and the Attorney General’s office.

   These “experts” prey on people who have little understanding of the law and are adept at presenting a believable case.  Always ask for credentials and write that information down in case you need it later.  Ask for as much information as possible and if that information is not forthcoming, cease dealing with that person. 

      Many of these people are high powered salespeople, and they may present information to you which you thought was confidential.  Remember, many documents relating to real estate are public information. Any liens, late taxes, the date the home was purchased,  quit claim deeds and other documents are in the public domain. 

    If the homeowner is going to pay up front money up, he/she is better off hiring a competent attorney for up to the minute legal advice.  Many attorneys will not charge an “upfront” fee, but will bill when the problem is resolved.  An attorney on board, can advise whether filing for bankruptcy is prudent, and can direct the homeowner and often postpone have any foreclosure action postponed.  

    Several states have laws on the books, or are passing laws, banning upfront fees.  Consumer fraud divisions are rift with complaints and are burdened by cumbersome consumer fraud laws when apprehending and bringing these people to justice.

    A CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) or a Realtor with the National Association of Realtors Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource (SFR) designation will not ask for up front money.  They will present their credentials and lay out a plan.  These are people licensed by the state, and in many instances, fingerprinted, and they do not get paid unless the transaction is consumated.  It is easy to check with the State Department of Real Estate to make sure the person is licensed which can often be done on line.

    The HUD.gov site has information about non profit organizations which are approved by HUD to give information about loan modificaitons, short sales, and foreclosures. 

    Know with whom you are dealing.  That is your best defense against fraud.

Resources:

Department of Housing and Urban Development - housing counselorshud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor

Certified Distressed Property Expert:  http://www.cdpe.com/find-cdpe-results.html

National Association Realtors:   http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/

Arizona Foreclosure Workbook from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office:

http://www.azag.gov/consumer/foreclosure/documents/StateTaskForceWorkbook.pdf

   Additional options exist for homeowners who are facing financial difficulties and are, or believe, they will be unable to meet mortgage payment(s).  Gone are the days when the person who defaults on a mortgage is considered a “deadbeat”.  Most people today know a hard working person who has defaulted because the challenge of one situation causing financial hardship, was one too many.

    The hardship can be as simple as a relocation to keep a job.  When a person owns a home and is relocated and then must carry two properties;  a home in the old location, and a rental property in the new destination, the additional cost can be enough cause financial hardship.  Yet the person had to move to keep his/her job.   Properties may not be selling in the old location for the price of the loan amount.  A short sale may be the only option. Prior to the move, the anticipated hardship may be sufficient grounds for the lender to permit a short sale.

    Members of our Military face hardship when they are redeployed for longer periods of time than originally anticipated.  The Service Members Civil Relief Act (SMCRA) provides protections and caps all interest for active duty military personnel, incurred prior to their active status, at six per cent.  This includes credit card debt, automobile debt, and mortgage interest debt.  Proof of active duty must be provided.  All active duty military personnel should review all of their debt obligations and invoke SMCRA for any debt carrying more than a six per cent interest rate.

    If the value of the property is greater than the loan amount, the property can be sold at a realistic price. In areas which continue to face depressed pricing, this is a viable option.  The price offered on a property a year ago (often which sellers turned down), seem ridiculously high in today’s market in many areas.  Pricing must be ahead of the curve.

     A controversial solution, and one not advocated by Realtors is “Strategic Default”.   Homeowners begin thinking about strategic default when their property has decreased in value 20 to 25% .  Homeowners are able and  continue to make mortgage payments, but feel they are paying for something which garners no value.  In many areas of the country, property values have decreased 30% or more.  Residents do not see values coming back for ten years or more.  Homeowners   “Walking away” is a deliberate personal business oriented move. 

     Moral and ethical considerations of strategic default are debated, against the dilemma faced by people who can afford their mortgages, but see people who have been irresponsible in their money management, get cash for keys (a program where the lender pays up to $1500 to the homeowner to vacate after foreclosure). 

    Regardless of the path chosen by the homeowner, credit will be impacted.  Foreclosure will cause the most damage.   It is imperative that people who believe they will face a financial hardship contact a Realtor to discuss options, or seek the advice of a credit counselor who will not charge any upfront fees. 

    I am happy to provide additional information:  e mail me at terry@terrybishop.com and put BLOG in the subject area.  If you need to find a qualified Realtor to help you, I can help.

Resources:

Service Members Civil Relief Act:     http://www.military.com/benefits/legal-matters/scra/overview

 Strategic Default:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_default

 Department of Housing and Urban Development:  http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

Note:  Hud.com is a commercial site and is not the Department of Housing and Urban Development…make sure you go to HUD.GOV

      Short sales and foreclosures are not always the best option for the homeowner.  If the situation which curtails income is temporary, the homeowner can ask for “forebearance”. 

     Forebearance involves negotiating a repayment plan for the amount of payments missed, usually with penalties and interest.  The missed payments can be put at the end of the mortgage amortization or an extra amount each month can be included in the regular mortgage payment.   The lender will want to be assured of the homeowner’s ability to repay the newly negotiated amount and will ask for evidence such as pay stubs.  The newly negotiated amount is in force until the deficiency is made current, and then  the payment will revert to the amount prior to the default. 

    Reinstatement can occur if the homeowner is expecting funds which can be used to bring the delinquent loan current.   An insurance settlement, an income tax refund, an inheritance, any anticipated source of funds which can be paid at one time to the lender to bring the loan current is called reinstatement.   The homeowner should talk with the lender and explain these funds are anticipated and will be used for the loan.  Reinstatement is a good option when one or two payments have been missed because of some extraordinary circumstance where restitution will be made.  Like all other plans, the lender will want documentation of the event. 

     If the homeowner has the funds available and can qualify in today’s market, a refinance can be a good option.  Rates are still very low and especially if there is an Arm (adjustable rate mortgage), very often a homeowner can cut the amount of payments.  Remember however, that if the homeowner has owned the property for six years and refinanced to another 30 year mortgage, the clock starts ticking again for another 30 year mortgage.  However, this option may provide the breathing room necessary but the homeowner should be sure to request a fixed rate mortgage to avoid further surprises.  Homeowners must provide all the documentation necessary to the lender including pay stubs, tax returns, assets and liabilities, divorce decrees, etc.

     A Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure also called deed in lieu, is another homeowner option.  The property must be worth more than the note on the property.  The homeowner negotiates with the lender and agrees to send the keys of the property and turn the property over to the lender so the lender will not foreclose on the property. 

    If you need additional information, contact me at terry@terrybishop.com.  If you are looking for a Realtor in your area who understands distressed properties, contact me and I will find you a competent, knowledgeable Realtor in your area.

Resources:

Department of Housing and Urban Development:   http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

Freddie Mac:  http://www.freddiemac.com/singlefamily/makinghomeaffordable.html

Fannie Mae:   http://www.fanniemae.com/kb/index?page=home