Conroe – This is one of the first questions potential short sale sellers ask us. “I heard of something called “forgiveness of debt income and that it is taxable. How does that work?” they ask.

The following article is my personal opinion only. I recommend that you consult with a competent legal or tax professional before moving forward with a short sale.

In most cases the answer is that a short sale will usually not cause you to owe income tax.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

It used to be that you owed income tax on any forgiveness of debt.

When a lender decides to forgive all or a portion of a borrower's debt, the forgiven amount is considered as income for the borrower and is liable to be taxed.

Here are the following ways you can qualify to short sale a property without any tax liability.

Short Sale of a Primary Residence. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (and it’s extension in the 2008 Federal Bailout) now allows you to short sale a primary residence without any tax liability.

Today when a homeowner short sales a primary residence, they can file a simple form and the forgiven debt is no longer taxable.

The amount of forgiven mortgage debt allowed to be excluded from income tax is limited to $2 million per year.

Short Sale of a Non-Primary Residence: If the property you are selling is not a primary residence, then you may be eligible for tax relief if you are considered insolvent.

I don’t know the exact guidelines, but insolvent is usually considered when your total gross debts are more than your total gross assets. I’m sure a good tax professional can give you more information.

Click here to view the IRS’s website about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation.

Click here to view the article on the IRS’s Website: Mortgage Workouts Now Tax-Free for Many Homeowners.

Thinking about a short sale? I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advisor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go thru with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales: Will I Owe Income Tax After A Short Sale? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – The Stop Foreclosure Institute recently received a question from Richard. “I accepted a job transfer and had to move. Unfortunately we were upside down on the house.

I decided to rent it out rather than short sale it. The renters just moved out. I just checked the house. They trashed it!

I could rent the house out again, but I would have to spend several thousand dollars fixing it up first. What would you recommend that I do?” Richard asked.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

Here was our recommendation. That is a tough situation. You could fix up the house and rent it out again. But, you risk having the same thing happen all over again.

Here is the other problem. The amount you can charge for rent has gone down in most areas. This means you will probably have to write a check every month.

If you are able to rent it and cover all the costs, then I would recommend you keep the home. If not, then I would recommend you short sell it.

Here is why I recommend that. If you can break even, then the house will be a good investment as the real estate market recovers. However, you will always risk large unexpected costs like the one you are experiencing right now.

If it the rent does not cover all the costs, then more than likely you are in an area where the housing prices are still dropping. This means the burden will only get bigger as time progresses.

Costs will keep on going up. Rent might drop even more. The housing market could decline even further. It would be better to just get rid of the liability now, once and for all.

Thinking about a short sale? I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales: Can I buy again right after a Short Sale? You Decide is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – We get this question a lot from people. “I am upside down and need to move. I would like to buy another home. Can I do that?” they ask us.

Today they can. FHA (the Federal Housing Administration) has a new program that enables you to short sale your existing home and buy a new home at today’s reduced prices.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

The home you purchase would have to meet FHA’s standard lending guidelines. FHA is a great mortgage program.

In fact, more people buying a home in today’s market are getting an FHA loan.

Here is what you would need to do to participate in the program:

1. Determine if you qualify to participate in the program. We have been told that you will need the following.

(Guidelines can change at any time, so make sure you check them with a Mortgage Professional familiar with the program.)

A. A 640 FICO credit score or better.

B. You must be current on all installment payments and your mortgage.

C. No bankruptcy or foreclosure on your credit in the last 7 years.

D. The home you are purchasing must be inferior to the one you are selling. I don’t know the exact guidelines, but I think it means it is a smaller home, or it has less bedrooms or a lower price.

E. You will need the 3.5% down payment for the new purchase.

2. Continue making your mortgage payments each month.

3. Talk to a Mortgage Professional and fill out FHA’s Short Sale and Buy Application.

4. Get pre-approved for your next home loan.

5. Put your home on the market with a licensed short sale realtor.

6. Once the short sale is approved, then you can start looking at other homes.

7. Close on selling your home and on purchasing the new property.

Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales: Can I buy again right after a Short Sale? You Decide is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – The New York Time had an interesting article; about one man’s mission in the fight to stop foreclosure. According to the article, Mark Guerette, attempted to make use of all the empty, abandoned houses he saw.

I get frustrated when I see homes sitting empty for months and months. “Those homes should be put to good use!” I thought to myself.

It bugged me that homes would sit empty for months and even years at a time. The lawn would become overgrown.

A window might leak. Or, vandals would break the windows. Rain would start getting inside the house, thereby causing mold on the walls and ceiling.

The house would get uglier and uglier. As a working short sale realtor, I knew how much this would cause the home’s value to drop.

Most of the homes were in foreclosure. The owners had moved out to avoid being kicked out. But, the banks didn’t take care of the homes.

It bugged me to see these trashed homes come on the market and sell at a substantial discount.

“Those banks are hurting the housing market. Someone needs to do something!” I thought to myself. But, I never did anything about it.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

Apparently this guy did. Mark would find abandoned homes, fix them up, and rent them to needy families.

An old English Common Law principle called “Adverse Possession” would make him the owner of the home after several to a dozen or more years.

Of course, he was responsible for keeping the home up, paying all the property taxes (including past dues taxes), and risking having a former homeowner confront him.

Florida’s Adverse Possession law would give ownership after 7 years. He thought that law was enough to make what he was doing legal. Apparently not!

According to the article, he now faces up to 15 years in prison. This is after he disclosed what he was doing to everyone.

He mailed the owners of the homes and the banks with the mortgage and told them of his plans. The lease with his tenants disclosed that he wasn’t the legal owner.

And yet, he still faces a prison sentence? Do you think that is fair? I don’t. Please tell me what you think in the comments section below. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales Realtor: Saint or Sinner? You Decide is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – The nuclear option is what you do when your lender demands a promissory note or they will not approve the short sale.

A promissory note is not the end of the world. It will take a lot of work on their end to collect from you.

If the lender forces you to sign a promissory note, then sign it and never make a payment. Here is what we recommend that you do to avoid paying the promissory note.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

It takes time for the lender to move your file out of the collections system. This will last for anywhere from 1 month to 6 months.

The rest of this post is simply my opinion. It is not legal advice. I am just telling you what I would do if I was in this situation.

Simply tell the debt collectors that you are trying to avoid bankruptcy. Do not give them any more information! Don’t dispute that you owe them money.

And definitely don’t agree to pay them anything, or tell them that you might be able to pay them. In my opinion, you are better off just hanging up on any collector that calls you.

Anything you say can and will be used against you. This is why you are better off not saying anything. After a while the phone calls and mail will stop. Hopefully you will never hear from your lender again.

In order for the lender to get you to pay, they will have to garnish your wages or your bank account.

That isn’t easy to do. There are many legal defenses you can use to stop them from garnishing your wages. One of our short sale customers had an unpaid credit card that was trying to garnish her wages.

Here is what she told me that she did to stop the garnishment. She was in Florida and Florida law stipulates that if someone has children living in their home, then a creditor cannot garnish their wages.

She had a daughter that lived with her, found the rule, and stopped the garnishment. There are many other strategies you can use to stop garnishments. Talk to a lawyer as they will know the different ways you can stop a garnishment under your state’s laws.

Now for one last strategy to stop a garnishment: Protesting. Yes, that’s right. Stand out in front of the local bank branch. Hold up a sign telling your story. Just make sure your sign appeals to most people driving past.

In most cases, the lender will stop the garnishment. They don’t want the bad publicity. I know someone who threatened a large national bank with protests.

A Vice President of the bank called them a few days later and resolved the situation. This is all based on one simple thing. A bully always picks on the weaker victims.

Sure they will beat up on little kids. But, there is always one little kid who fights like crazy. They use whatever they can to defend themselves against the bully.

In the fight the bully gets hurt. Maybe not bad, but they get hurt nonetheless. Next time they are looking for a victim are they going to beat up on that little kid?

No. They’ll find another victim who won’t put up a fight. Very few people fight. They just pay the lender. That’s why the few people that do fight get preferential treatment. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on The Nuclear Option for Conroe Short Sales is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – Here are a few things you should not be surprised to see crop up during the short sale process.

Unscruplous Debt Collection Tactics. If you are facing financial hardship, then paying credit cards and other unsecured debts is your lowest priority. An unsecured debt is a debt where they can’t take away your car or house. A secured debt has something as collateral, such as your car, house, or anything else of value.

The most commons unsecured debt is a credit card. When you stop paying them, they will call you nonstop. The reason is because they don’t have any other way to collect from you.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

They can’t come get your car or take your house. So, they make up for that by blowing up your phone with harassing calls. In addition, they use deceptive tricks to get you to pay them.

For example, there are Federal Laws that regulate what they can do or say. They aren’t allowed to threaten to sue you, but then not follow thru and actually file suit.

To get around this rule, they will use language that sounds legal, but isn’t. In one situation, a debt collector in Buffalo, New York named their firm Hoffman, Weinberg & O’Brien to make it sound like they were a law firm.

They would then leave messages on people’s answering machines. They would say they were with the office of Hoffman, Weinberg & O’Brien and then say they may resort to future legal action. In addition, they would reference case number 8306042.

If you didn’t know any better, you would think the case number was for an actual lawsuit against you. That is scary. Don’t you agree?

Most credit card accounts never sue (despite the constant threats.) Even when they do sue and get a judgment, they rarely ever attempt to garnish wages.

A lot of judgments expire without getting paid. But, a lot of them get paid off when a person’s income increases, or that person sells a valuable asset such as a house.

It might seem like the process takes a long time. Some short sales only take a few months. Before you know it you are moving out of your house and onto the next place.

However, some short sales will take a lot longer. We have some files that we have been working on for a year or even longer.

It’s not the end of the world. Just stay put and keep on saving the money you would be using for rent. In most cases the short sale will eventually be approved and you can move on with your life.

Your lender may attempt to collect money from you when they aren’t legally entitled to do so. We have heard several stories of some lenders asking for a promissory note when the state the property was in did not allow the lender to pursue the homeowner after a short sale.

The stories in question were for short sales of properties in California and Washington. Don’t sign a promissory note a lender sends you after a short sale when you are in a non-recourse state.

Talk to a lawyer to see if you are obligated to repay the debt. You could probably get out of repaying it if you tried. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on What you can expect during and after the Conroe Short Sale Process is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – A home owner thinking of a short sale recently asked us why they should short sale versus just walking away and letting their lender foreclose on the home. We gave them the normal answer: “It’s much better for your credit.”

That was the first thing that popped into our head. But, I knew there are more benefits to a home owner than simply better credit. So I put together the entire list and here they are.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

1. The upside down debt is erased in most cases. If you are selling because of a financial hardship, then the upside down debt will be automatically erased in most cases.

Is your loan is owned or insured by the following agencies: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, and or VA? If you are short selling because of a financial hardship, their policies state that your debt will be erased.

2. You are eligible to buy another home much sooner compared to a foreclosure. The most common loan program, Fannie Mae, stipulates that you can buy another home under their program in 2 years.

FHA, a popular low down payment loan program stipulates that you can qualify for an FHA loan within 3 years.

3. There is no cost to you. That is right. A short sale costs you nothing. All of the expenses are paid for by your lender.

That includes the title insurance, any county taxes or fees on the sale, attorney fees, and the Real Estate Agent.

If the lender foreclosed on the house and then tried to sell it, they would have to pay all the costs. So why not pay the costs with a short sale?

4. Your credit suffers less damage. Most people think that a short sale will be the kiss of death to their credit. That is the one big advantage of a short sale over a foreclosure.

Upon completion of the short sale, your credit score will drop between 50 and 100 points. However it will rebound fairly quickly. The other benefit is that you will have less debt.

(A lot of debt hurts your credit score.) You will have a lower debt to income ratio, which will boost your credit.

In a couple of years your credit will be back to normal and you can buy another home. In addition, anything and everything bad on your credit can be fixed thru the dispute process.

5. You can often rent a comparable house for less than your former mortgage payment. In one example, a homeowner in foreclosure found a larger home.

It even had a fenced backyard for their kid and a garage. Their prior mortgage payment was $1,500. They rented the nicer, bigger house for $850 a month.

6. You avoid the humiliation of a foreclosure.

7. You don’t have to pay rent during the short sale process. A short sale can take up to 6 or 9 months. Not all of them do. But, some do.

If you aren’t concerned about your credit, then you can stop making your mortgage payments during the short sale. You can use the savings for the deposit on a rental. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Seven Ways You Benefit From A Conroe Short Sale is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – In this case I would recommend you sell the house. Now, if you are reading this blog, then you must be researching a short sale.

Which means that you are probably upside down on the home. You have three options.

Option #1: Let your lender foreclose on the home. You just stop making the payments and surrender the home to your lender.

Option #2: Short Sale the house and get the debt wiped out. A short sale offers the following benefits over a foreclosure.

Issue: Can I get a Future Fannie Mae Loan?

Foreclosure: The current Fannie Mae Guidelines require you to wait 5-7 years before you can buy another home with a Fannie Mae Loan. Most other banks and lenders have the same or even stricter procedures.

Short Sale: If are back on your feet 2 years after the short sale, then Fannie Mae guidelines allow you to get a loan from them.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

Issue: Can I get a future loan from any mortgage company?

Foreclosure: Any future application will require you to answer the question, "Have you had property foreclosed upon or given title or deed in lieu thereof in the last 7 years?" you'll have to answer that question yes.

Short Sale: You can state “No” because you short sold your home. You only have to say yes if the bank completes the foreclosure.

Issue: Credit Score Impact.

Foreclosure: Your score is typically lowered by 250 to 300 points, or even more. This often stays on your credit score for over 3 years.

Short Sale: Only late payments show up. After a short sale, the mortgage is normally reported as "paid in full, settled." This lowers your score as little as 50 points if all other payments are being made. Oftentimes, this is off your credit report in as little as 12 months.

Issue: Will I owe the bank any money for the shortfall?

Foreclosure: Many lenders take 12-18 months to foreclose upon a property and resell it. This dramatically increases the loss and makes any deficiency judgment potentially bigger.

Short Sale: Few lenders ask for a promissory note on a short sale. As an example, on one short sale, the bank lost over $120,000. They settled with the seller for $25,000 to be repaid over 15 years with zero interest. The seller's monthly payment was only $138,89. You can often even negotiate and have the promissory note waived.

Option #3: Rent the property. This is a good way to earn some extra money. However, if you are upside down, then it is more than likely that the rent will not cover the mortgage. That means someone will have to write a check each month covering the loss. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales: Getting divorced, neither can afford, what to do? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – The Stop Foreclosure Institute recently received a question from Jennifer. She is having a hard time selling her home.

“I have had my house for sale for a little while, but it hasn’t sold. No buyers have come to look at it. At first I thought the price was fair. But, now that no one has come to see the home, I am beginning to realize that I am upside down.

My realtor hasn’t talked to me about a short sale. What should I do?” Jennifer asked.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

Here is what I would recommend to her. First, talk to your current agent about a short sale. The might be uncomfortable with bringing it up.

Short sales are a sensitive issue. Some people get offended when you ask them about a short sale. It doesn’t look like that is the case with you.

Tell your agent that you think you might be upside down. Ask them what they think they can realistically sell the house for in today’s market.

Then, ask them for a “Net Sheet.” This is a sheet that details all of the costs and fees associated with selling a home.

The fees and costs are subtracted from the sales price to give you the net amount you will receive from the sale. Compare that number with your mortgage payoff.

If it is less than what you owe your lender, then you will need to consider a short sale. Ask your agent if they can handle your short sale.

If not, then you may need to hire someone else. Short sales are a lot more complex than a normal real estate transaction.

Make sure the person you interview has closed short sales in the past and knows what they are doing.

Ask them how the short sale process works. Have them explain it to you. This will help you determine if that person can do the job for you. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at www.RealtyTx.net
 

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax adviser before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on My Realtor hasn't talked to me about a Short Sale & I'm not even getting a showing. I think I might be upside down. What do I do? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com

Conroe – Have you heard the following myths about short sales?

Myth #1: You can buy short sales for dirt cheap and then turn around and resell them for a profit.

Myth #2: Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Bank Owned Homes can be bought for 30 to 50 cents on the dollar with no money down.

Click here to discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale and avoided foreclosure.

Myth #3: Lenders will accept any short sale offer even if it is for only 50% of what the home is worth. After all, they don’t want a foreclosure on their books.

These myths are just not true. Lenders are willing to foreclosure on properties. They have entire departments handle the sale of properties that they have foreclosed on.

Another foreclosure is nothing to fear. At the same time, they do prefer short sales. Short Sales are known to reduce a lender’s loss compared to a short sale.

They have high paid actuaries who have run the numbers and proved that to be the case. That means they take a pragmatic approach on short sales.

They want to make sure that he short sale offer isn’t lower than what the home would sell if they foreclosed on it. That is why they order an appraisal before accepting the offer.

They won’t agree to a sale if the offer is for substantially less than the appraised value. If the offer is 5% lower than the appraisal, then they might accept it.

If it is substantially less, then they will ask the buyer to raise their offer to the appraised value.

Another thing lenders check before approving a short sale is that they aren’t approving a short sale for someone that is able to afford their home.

They don’t want to lose money on a short sale when they can make money when the person repays the loan. Thinking about a short sale?

I can help you short sale your property and get back on your feet. Send me an e-mail at . I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call me at 936-321-2977

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thinking about a loan modification? Our Conroe loan modification kit has the instructions you will need to get a loan modification approved with your bank. Click here to request a copy.

Thanks for reading this, Laura Austin.

Laura is a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Phone: 936-321-2977. .

View My homes for sale at .

Laura Bolieu Austin specializes in loan modification assistance and short sales in Conroe Texas. Conroe Loan Modification Help, Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Short Sale Realtor. Conroe Short Sales. Conroe Realtor.

Copyright 2012 SFI Marketing Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important Notice

Laura Austin, Keller Williams Realty, and the Stop Foreclosure Institute are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with the government. Our services have not been reviewed or endorse by the government or your lender. Most lenders willingly work with agents on short sales. Why?

Because most short sales are beneficial to a lender. If you accept our offer to help you on a short sale, your lender may not agree to a short sale or to modify your loan. We do offer a loan modification kit.

However, the likelihood of negotiating a modification is like everything else in life. It takes work and persistence to convince your lender to modify your loan. No matter what you or we do, your lender may not approve a loan modification.

We do not recommend that you stop paying your mortgage, because this will cause damage to your credit and could cause you to lose your home. Because we know avoiding foreclosure is so important to any homeowner, we recommend that you speak with the appropriate legal or tax advieor before making any decision.

This is not intended as legal, technical, or tax advice. Please speak with a licensed professional before making any decision. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of the date of writing.

You have the option to reject a short sale or loan modification from your lender if it does not meet your approval. If you decide not to go through with the short sale, then you do not have to pay us our fee. We normally make a real estate sales commission for helping you on a short sale.

The views expressed here are Laura's personal views and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams Realty.

This information on Conroe Short Sales: Are Lenders So Desperate They Will Accept Any Offer? is provided as a courtesy to our viewers to help them make informed decisions.

Laura Bolieu Austin
ABR, CDPE, CDRS, CSSBR, CHMS,
CSP, GRI, SFR, SRES, TAHS,
Certified New Home Buyers Representative
REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty - Conroe
936-321-2977 Direct
281-798-2911 Cell
866-347-2911 Fax
Laura@RealtyTx.net
www.RealtyTx.net
www.StopForeclosuresInTX.com
www.AvoidForeclosureInConroe.com