Highland Beach Condos, Boca Raton Homes, Boca Raton Real Estate Advice and Opinions: December 2008

We are the Lucky Few!!

 

As in most markets our MLS membership has decreased quite a bit in the last year or so.  Our MLS membership went from 16,000 agents to 11,000, and it expected to go down to about 8,000 members after the first of the year.  We have lost a little over 50% of its members in just about 2 years.  So why am I so happy.

Well less competition first, but many of the agents that left were not cut out to be in real estate.  The few brought down the many, and we have to strive everyday to contradict the perception of a real estate agent.  If you ever read the book "Freakanomics" you know what I mean.  In the book of "Freakanomics" they compare the secret realtor's society to the Klu Klux Klan.  Ouch.  Their theory is because we have tried to withhold information from the consumers for so long that we act like a cult.  However, the authors also predicted that the traditional brokerage would collapse, and everyone would be a discount 1% broker.  That definitely has not happened.  The reason why this has not happened is that even though consumers can basically search the MLS and can access as much information as realtors can the consumer still sees value in a realtor:

  • Negotiating on their behalf.
  • Knowing the stories of the many communities.
  • Advising consumers on their financing options.
  • Setting up Appraisers, Inspectors, and Handymen.
  • Advising consumers on what costs they may incur.
  • Setting up appointments for homes that the consumer may not know about.
  • Most importantly, the value of a realtor besides being the professional is that a good real estate agent will know the ins and outs of specific properties.  We will be able to tell a consumer the story of the home.  We may have some inside scoop on why the seller wants to sell, and maybe even what price and terms they are looking for.

There obviously are many more behind the scenes jobs that we as realtors do, but I think you get the gist of it.

Getting back to my point however, we are so fortunate to be in a business that we genuinely love.  A business that allows us the freedom within reason to spend time with our family, and take vacations while working very hard on a day to day basis.  We are fortunate that we are very good at what we do.  We sell real estate and we love it.  I have never dreaded even one day of work.  I get up in the morning, and cannot wait to go to work.  How many people can say that?  Lets be Fine in 2009!!! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy Chanukah

David Serle

Vice President/Managing Broker

RE/MAX Services

561-912-3500 Office

561-912-3502 Direct

561-756-3104 Mobile

www.HighlandBeachViews.com

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Short Sales vs. Foreclosure

 

Many of my clients ask me why should I do a short sale vs. a foreclosure.  Here are a few answers to those questions.

With a Short Sale you will lose between 125-150 points on your credit score.

With a Foreclosure you will lose 250 points in most cases.

With a Short Sale we have had an 85% success rate to have the banks waive the right to come after you for the difference of the what is owed, and what the bank receives otherwise known as a deficiency judgement.

With a Foreclosure 100% of the time they get a deficiency judgement that in many cases forces the customer into bankruptcy.

With a Short Sale the ability to get a new loan is hindered, but only for 2 years.

With a foreclosure it is going to be very tough to even get a new loan.  Right now they say about 5 years minimum.

There are going to be a lot of changes to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in the near future as we have already seen.  With a lot of people claiming bankruptcy and doing short sales I thought this chart was great information so you can educate your customers on what to expect in the future and the consequences a short sale or foreclosure may have on the ability to obtain a new loan in the future.

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Policy Changes (applicable to manually underwritten loans only)

In U-Memo 08-29, we detailed changes to our requirements for borrowers with a prior foreclosure in their credit history.  With this U-Memo, we are updating these requirements as well as establishing new requirements for bankruptcy and pre- foreclosure sales.  We are updating the requirements regarding the time period that must elapse before borrowers can demonstrate that they have re-established their credit history following an occurrence of a bankruptcy or foreclosure.  The following table outlines our current and new policies for manually underwritten loans:

Action

Current Requirements

New Requirements  

     

Bankruptcy (all except chapter 13)

4 year time period from discharge date

The 4 year time period is unchanged; however it is now applied from either the discharge or dismissal date of the bankruptcy action.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

2 year time period from discharge date

The time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions is measured as follows:
·        2 years from the discharge date,
        Or
·        4 years from the dismissal date.

Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-All Bankruptcy Actions

2 year time period from discharge date.  No exception to the 2 year time period for Chapter 13 bankruptcy actions.

The 2 year time period will be measured from the bankruptcy discharge or dismissal date.  No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time period after a Chapter 13 discharge.

Multiple Bankruptcy Filings

No existing policy

A 5 year time period date is now required from the most recent dismissal or discharge for borrowers with more than one bankruptcy filing within the past 7 years.

Exceptions for extenuating circumstances-Multiple Bankruptcy Actions

No existing policy

A 3 year time period from the most recent discharge or dismissal date is required.  
NOTE:  The most recent bankruptcy filing must have been the result of extenuating circumstances.

Foreclosure

We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 4 to 5 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.

Additional requirements now apply after 5 years up to 7 years following foreclosure completion date:
·        The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment and a minimum credit score of 680
·        Purchase of a second home or investment property is NOT permitted.
·        Limited cash-out  refinances are permitted for all occupancy types.
·        Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.

Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances-Foreclosure

We recently updated (in U-08-29) the time period from 2 to 3 years from the date that the foreclosure sale had been completed.

Additional requirements now apply after 3 years up to 5 years following foreclosure completion date:
·        The purchase of a principal residence is permitted with a minimum 10% downpayment.
·        Limited cash-out  refinances are permitted for all occupancy types.  
·        Cash-out refinances are not permitted for any occupancy type.

Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

4 year time period from completion date ( date deed-in-lieu was executed)

This 4 year time period still applies.  Now, the  following additional requirements apply after 4 years up to 7 years following completion date:
·        The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required.  This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types.
·        Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.

Exceptions for Extenuating Circumstances- Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

2 year time period from completion date

This 2 year time period still applies.  Now, the  following additional requirements apply after 2 years up to 7 years following completion date:
·        The greater of a minimum 10% downpayment or the minimum downpayment required for the transaction is required.  This is applicable to purchases for all occupancy types.
·        Limited cash out and cash-out refinance transactions for all occupancy types are permitted.

Time period After Pre-foreclosure Sale

No Existing Policy

2 year time period from completion date; no additional requirements.
NOTE:  No exceptions are permitted to the 2 year time periods due to extenuating circumstances.

 

David Serle

Vice President/Managing Broker

RE/MAX Services

561-912-3500 Office

561-912-3502 Direct

561-756-3104 Mobile

www.HighlandBeachViews.com

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