Beware Short Sale Negotiator Attorney Fees

If you are contemplating using an attorney to negotiate your short sale instead of your Realtor, beware. These legal companies are popping up everywhere and they will charge you thousands of dollars to do what an experienced short sale negotiator Realtor will do for free. A Realtor is paid by their commission from the sale of the home and the home seller pays nothing. The seller's lender will pay the commission.

However, when a seller uses an attorney, they pay the attorney directly to negotiate the file. In my own experience as a Realtor who negotiates my client's short sales, attorneys do no better than an experienced Realtor. I have a short sale listing that my sellers paid $4,000 to an attorney to negotiate their short sale.

I believe having this attorney has actually hurt their negotiations. I have ended up telling my client what to tell the attorney to get the file properly negotiated. It's been a complete nightmare. Part of negotiation is letting the bank know the market. An attorney, even a real estate attorney, who is not in the trenches practicing real estate cannot understand the market better than an experienced Realtor.

Fantastic Well-Loved Home in Elk Grove $310K

Not a short sale or REO.

Immaculate, well-loved and ready to move in home. One owner. Home features dramatic entry, wrought iron staircase and great room concept with separate formal living/dining areas. One bedroom and full bathroom downstairs. Kitchen features Corian counters, stainless steel appliances, island, gas cook top, eat-in dining and breakfast bar. Yard is tropical and low maintenance with stamped concrete and a side courtyard featuring a wrought iron gate and recently installed privacy fence.

Home has 2723 square feet, 4 bedroom and 3 full baths.

For more info:
http://www.postlets.com/res/4091838

Buyers Walking on a Short Sale -- Back on the Market Previously Approved

Chances are if you're a buyer, you've put at least one offer on a short sale. It's not a fun offer. The process is long, tedious and seems like you will never have an answer. Except when you do. We just had the buyer walk after 90 days of waiting for a bank to give an approval. The buyers, to their credit, stuck in there nearly to the bitter end, but couldn't wait any longer due to their circumstances. Also, to their credit, they weren't making offers on other homes, then ended up renting.

Because of that, this great house at 9713 Tundra Swan Circle in Elk Grove's Stonelake neighborhood is now back on the market, having been approved at the list price of $235K just yesterday. Take a look. We -- fingers cross -- hope the next approval will be quicker. Banks are getting faster, more efficient, and more willing to help distressed sellers. An offer on a short sale is not as bad as it once was, especially for FHA buyers.

http://www.postlets.com/res/3385783

Too Late for the Tax Credit, Now Try a Short Sale

This 3 bed/2 bath, 1404 square foot home is located in a private court in the established Laguna Springs neighborhood. Large eat-in kitchen and spacious living/formal dining room combination. Bright master bathroom with sky light. Backyard has a wood deck, mature landscaping and plenty of shade. Home is close to schools, greenbelt, parks and shopping.

More info:
http://www.postlets.com/res/3791251

Just in time for the Federal & CA Tax Credits

This well maintained halfplex home in East Roseville is tucked away among single family homes. Home features a great room concept, master bedroom w/ sitting area & enclosed outdoor patio, & private back yard surrounded by mature trees. Includes a brand new heat pump & A/C unit worth $10K. Also features the following newer items: roof & covered rain gutters, linoleum in kitchen & bathroom, dishwasher, faucets, interior paint, & sprinkler system.

See link for additional information:
http://www.postlets.com/res/3723046

Distressed Homeowners, Want to Stay in Your House?

Thanks to the government's "Making Home Affordable" program, there's a good chance you can stay in your home if you are distressed home owner. The program, Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA), has new voluntary guidelines to help home owners who want to stay in their home, stay, and stay affordably. Though these guidelines are voluntary, over 100 loan servicers have signed up for the program, representing 89% of current mortgage debt.


To Learn More about eligibility:
http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/

Why Rent when You Can OWN

Just listed, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos in the heart of Elk Grove's Laguna area. These are located in the established neighborhood of Foulks Ranch and close to the greenbelt, parks, schools and shopping. Community complex is well maintained and includes pool, spa, fitness center, club house and child park. Each unit also includes a detached garage.

1 bed/ 1 bath 772 sf $85,000
http://www.postlets.com/res/2655256

2 bed/ 2 bath 1,039 sf $104,500
http://www.postlets.com/res/3617020

3 bed/ 2 bath 1,168 sf $120,000
http://www.postlets.com/res/2648744