There are good and bad things that come with the deed in lieu of foreclosure. If you are unable to make the monthly mortgage payments on your home anymore you might consider this as your option. There are pros and cons to this which might help you make your decision.

Pros / Positives

The biggest positive of the deed in lieu of foreclosure is that your credit doesn'’t suffer as much as it would if it displayed a foreclosure. A foreclosure looks really bad on your credit and it can stop you from being able to buy another home for at least 10 years. No one wants a foreclosure on their credit. Being able to avoid this is a really good thing.

The deed in lieu has another positive aspect that it can happen quickly. The quicker you are released from the mortgage payments each month then the less you owe on the back payments and penalties for late fees. Many banks forgive the penalties, late fees, and back payments while others will come after you for it. The quicker you sign over the title to the home the less money you may owe.

Cons / Negatives

Some people look at the time factor as a bad thing. The sooner you sign the title over in a deed in lieu of foreclosure means the sooner you have to be moved out of the house. Some people live in their home up until the day the sheriff’’s office comes to evict them out. This can be up to a year of free rent in a place. A deed in lieu needs to take place quickly upon you realizing you cannot sell your home.

The bank also has a requirement for people who want to sign over the title to their home for a deed in lieu of foreclosure. This requirement is that you attempt to sell the house first. You will have to register the home with a real estate agent. You might have to pay for an appraisal and fees for an agent. If you don'’t have any money this may be tough for you to get through the process of working with the bank.

One of the things you must think about is that you cannot be eligible for a deed in lieu of foreclosure if there are any liens on the property. If there are liens on the property, there is no way you will be able to avoid the foreclosure unless you pay up the back payments you have missed on and keep the home. Chances are good you are looking forward to a legal battle also if there are liens.

Conclusion

There are many pros and cons of a deed in lieu of foreclosure you might consider if you are no longer capable of making the monthly payments for your home. You can benefit from not having a foreclosure on your credit record and being free of the debt sooner. It is important to keep in mind that you should be entirely moved out of your home when you are considering a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

About The Author

Don'’t fall victim to foreclosure! Learn unique methods that will help you secure your financial future today. Get the Foreclosure Survival Handbook and discover how a deed in lieu of foreclosure can help you today.Please visit: http://www.homesforeclosurehelp.com

Right now, the market for foreclosures is hot. While real estate purchases in general are in a decline, investors are finding great deals in the foreclosure market. Orem, Utah has a vast amount of foreclosures listed in the local real estate market at prices well below the market values for the property.

What Kinds of Homes are in Foreclosure?

At one time, the homes that went into foreclosure were not the nicest of homes. Because of that, foreclosures have gotten a bad reputation. The changing market has helped to change the types of homes that are in foreclosure, though.

Thanks to the declining real estate market, Orem, Utah has many foreclosure listings of homes in upscale areas. These homes have been foreclosed upon for a variety of reasons, and you can find an affordable piece of property by browsing the listings.

Orem has long been known for offering great real estate. Property values and resale values are very high in the city, so people who can find a great deal on a foreclosure property will immediately reap the benefits of the sale. As soon as the property is transferred into their hands, they will have already made a profit.

Why Purchase a Foreclosure?

There are many reasons to purchase a foreclosure. Consider the following:

*Discounted price on real estate
*Find an investment property to make extra money
*Live in a home that you normally would not be able to afford

How to Find Foreclosure Property

If you are interested in finding foreclosure property in Orem, there are many ways you can go about it. First, you need to evaluate what you know about real estate in Orem, Utah. Do you know how to find foreclosure properties on your own?

If you do know how to find these properties on your own, you can try to negotiate deals with banks. However, if you are not sure how to get a foreclosure property listing, you may want to go through a realtor or a service in order to find the foreclosed homes in Orem.

A realtor will have a listing of recently foreclosed homes, and the realtor can help you see the house. Then if you are interested, you can make an offer on the home.

There are also services that give subscribers lists of foreclosed homes. When this is used, consumers have to contact the home owners on their own.

If you are interested in Orem, Utah real estate, take advantage of the deals that are offered with foreclosure property. If you would like to pick up a foreclosure property, the time is now. While there are a lot of foreclosures available at this time, it will not last forever. When the economy turns around, the opportunities to get foreclosure properties will lessen.

Educate yourself on foreclosure properties in Orem, Utah so you can make a wise decision. You could end up with a secure investment or a new residence at a fraction of the cost. No matter what you choose to do with your foreclosure property, it is a sound decision.

About The Author

Art Gib is a freelance writer for PayneSmootGroup.com (http://www.paynesmootgroup.com), a website featuring Orem Real Estate.

One of the best choices to live in Denver is the new neighborhood of Stapleton, where everything is within easy reach, including good schools, shops, restaurants, cafes, entertainment and offices.

Stapleton has miles of trails, acres of parks and real neighborhoods full of homes in all shapes, colors and sizes. In fact, Stapletons developers have set aside nearly 30 percent of the areas 4,700 acres to parks, recreation facilities and open space. The nucleus of Stapletons parks and open spaces is the 80 acre Central Park, which is currently Denvers third largest park. In addition to the parks within Stapleton, extensive bike and trail system will link the community to the adjacent 17,000-acre Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is located to Stapletons north.

Most of Stapletons architecture is inspired by great, old Denver neighborhoods like Washington Park and Cherry Creek. Stapleton is prime commercial real estate and residential real estate coexisting in perfect harmony with shops, dining and the great outdoors near every home. Even if Stapleton is built near downtown Denver, it has features that define suburban living like garages in the back, porches in front and sidewalks made for walking. It is like combining the advantages of the close proximity and convenience of urban living with the space provided by suburban neighborhoods.

Despite mimicking the traditional older neighborhoods, Stapleton has the advantages of constructing a new community with a vision of conservation, preservation and sustainability. Every new home is Energy Star certified as of mid-2006. That means lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower utility bills. In addition to energy efficient homes, all your needs are close by that driving far would be avoided. This is especially important due to the high gasoline prices that are driving people from suburbia today. In fact, walking and cycling are the preferred modes of transportation around Stapleton.

The construction of Stapleton adhered to the concept of green building and recycling. In order to build bridges and bike paths, the developers used the old runway concrete dubbed Staplestone in order to further this concept of green building and recycling. In addition, leftover framing materials are turned into mulch. In order to reduce the environmental impact of the community, recycled water will be used to irrigate major park areas.

Stapleton is like a typical suburb today, with people barbequing, strolling or relaxing on their front porches. There are also intriguing public art, thoughtful landscaping, charming parks with playgrounds, and expansive greenways braided with streams and bike paths. However, the main selling point is that whenever you feel the need for more urban experience and essentials, you know that you are just a quick walk away from the quintessential Denver shopping and dining experience. In fact, downtown Denver is just a 10 minute drive away from Stapleton.

There are also shops and commercial districts inside the Stapleton community and a Farmers Market, where you will find much of what you need. Stapleton is the perfect mix of Urban Neighborhood and Mother Nature that makes being outside your home as comfortable as being inside.

About The Author

Matthew Stanton writes an article about Stapleton and how one can make the best out of their stay in this area. Simply visit this website at Stapleton

Once you have found the real estate that you want to purchase in Orem, Utah, you will have to decide on what kind of mortgage you are going to get. There are certain factors that you must take into consideration when deciding on a mortgage and it is not a decision that should ever be taken lightly.

Interest rates and down payment amounts differ from mortgage to mortgage, so you must take all of that into consideration when financing your new property in Orem, Utah.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

An Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is an option when buying real estate in Orem under certain circumstances. This is not a good decision if you intend on staying in the home for more than ten years. However it is a good idea for some people.

If you are planning on selling the home quickly, an ARM is a good alternative to a higher interest mortgage. You can get excellent rates for the first several years with this type of mortgage, so it is a great loan for those who are only going to be paying for a few years. People who will have to relocate for work or plan on fixing the home up and then selling it might want to consider this option.

However, if you plan on staying in that particular property in Orem for an extended period of time, you should not get an ARM. Your interest rate will increase over the years, and soon you will be paying more than you would pay with a different type of mortgage.

VA Mortgage Loan

If you have served in the armed forces and are looking for real estate in Orem, Utah, consider getting a VA Home Loan. These loans have low interest rates and also allow veterans to get the home without putting any money down. The loans are accepted for Orem real estate and are a great option for those who qualify.

FHA Loans

First time home buyers who are looking for real estate in Orem should see if they qualify for this type of loan. An FHA loan offers lows interest to Orem home buyers. Also, this loan allows homebuyers to pay a very low down payment.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

If you do not qualify for a VA or FHA home loan, this is a good option for you. This is the mortgage for people to get who plan on staying in their homes for a long time. While the interest rate may be higher than the rate for an ARM, it will not go up over time.

When looking to purchase real estate in Orem, Utah, find the mortgage loan that best works for you. Keep your individual needs in mind, as they indicate what kind of loan you need to apply for. Do not be afraid to do research in order to find the option that best suits your real estate needs.

About The Author

Art Gib is a freelance writer for PayneSmootGroup.com (http://www.paynesmootgroup.com), a website featuring Orem Real Estate.

Are you considering purchasing real estate in Provo, Utah? Before you relocate, you need to consider certain things in order to make your move go as smoothly as possible. You want to purchase your real estate in the part of Provo that will best suit your needs and it is important to consider every aspect of your needs before you make a purchase.

Schools

If you have children, then it is important to take schools in consideration. You want your children to have the best education possible, which means that your Provo real estate needs to be located in the district of a good school.

Also, consider your distance from the school. Would you rather have your kids walk to school, ride the bus, or do you plan on taking them?

When you are not from an area, it can be difficult to know what schools are good and which ones should be avoided. Many people use a professional in order to help them find the real estate that will work for them.

Safety

When you are relocating to a new city, you want to find real estate in the safest place possible. You can go about that in one of two ways. You can look up statistics for Provo, Utah, or you can talk to an agent who can help you find a place that will meet your safety concerns.

Price

It is important to find real estate that it within your price range as well. As tempting as overspending might be, it is never a good idea. It is important to look at real estate in Provo that you can afford. Do not allow yourself to get tempted by houses that are outside of your budget.

Property Values

Consider the property values of the homes surrounding the real estate you are looking at. You do not want to make a purchase in an area that is struggling. That might cause you to have difficulty selling at a later time.

Features

Are there certain things that you cannot live without when it comes to a house? When you are buying new real estate, do not compromise. Is a big backyard important? Do you want to have a park near by? Tell a real estate professional what you are looking for with your real estate.

If you are considering buying real estate in Provo, Utah for the first time, enlist the help of a professional. A professional can ensure that all of your needs are met and that you find property that you are pleased with. It is much easier to explain your needs to someone who knows the market than it is to research the area and try to find that perfect piece of property on your own.

About The Author

Art Gib is a freelance writer for PayneSmootGroup.com (http://www.paynesmootgroup.com), a website featuring Provo Real Estate.

Asia has one of the world’’s fastest growing property markets currently. Many countries seem to have thwarted the effect of the global credit crunch, and countries like China and Hong Kong are utilizing resources and building space at amazing rates. With this is mind, a push for a greener building industry and greener property market in Asia have emerged.

Asia’’s first green real estate guide, r.e.Design, has called for governments across the region to invest resources in green building, as well as introducing new policies, incentives and regulations for property developers in Asia. The guide says “There is an urgent need for the real estate industry to address the challenges of climate change and sustainability”. “We would like to see a quick transformation to the adoption of green building practices in new buildings and in terms of improving existing ones. Governments have a key role to play by introducing new policies and regulations”, it goes on.

The report by r.e.Design shows that energy savings of 40-50% can be made in green buildings as opposed to traditional methods. In a world of high fuel and energy costs, both in terms of a company’’s hip pocket, and the cost to the environment, this will be a significant factor in the property market in Asia’’s adoption of green building practices.

r.e.Design holds India as a model for the rest of the Asian real estate industry. India’’s real estate market currently has around 26 green buildings, covering around 11 million square feet. In the green building rating system, five of these buildings are of a platinum or gold standard. “The uptake of green building practices in India is now quick, and real estate practices are changing accordingly”, says the report.

There have been a raft of new green building materials developed in Asia in the last few years, with some of the more exotic and promising ones like chicken feathers causing a stir in the media. The real estate industry in the Asian country of the Phillipines could benefit from technology developed in the country to build houses from chicken feathers, of which there are millions of kilos disposed every year.

High hopes are held for bamboo also, in terms of eco-friendly building. Recently in Taiwan, a London architect completed a bamboo townhouse in the middle of an urban area. The house reduces the need for air conditioning, with the well-ventilated bamboo, yet retains security and privacy. Air conditioning is one of the main sources of energy consumption in the real estate sector in Asia, and this new building material could be a godsend for energy costs.

The r.e.Design report is not the only body calling for property investors in Asia to invest in greener building solutions - the UN has leant its mighty weight to the cause also. A report prepared for the UN by a leading academic says that the real estate industry has immense impact on carbon emissions globally; however there is no section willing to become the initiators of change. The Principles of Responsible Investment Report, backed by the UN, is said to be one way that property investors can insure the long-term security of their investments, with the much greater cost-effectiveness of eco-buildings.

Property managers in Asia and the real estate industry in Asia will continue to face pressure in this area, especially as the effects of global warming continue to ravage the planet.

About The Author

Gregory Smyth is an independent author providing assessment and comments on leading International Property Consultants in Asia and Greater China, especially CB Richard Ellis.

The Essex town of Colchester is regarded by many historians to be the oldest in the UK. It was an important Roman settlement due to its preferential position on high ground as well as close access to the sea. This meant that it was ideally placed to control the local population whilst being a centre for trade. Today the importance of this position is recognised by many homeowners with many estate agent services offering a range of properties from large and luxurious houses, executive high rise flats and even quaint terraced cottages. The sheer range of properties in Colchester shows the rich history of this town. For anyone looking for property in Colchester, utilising an estate agent is strongly advisable; the gaining of local knowledge cannot be underestimated. But when using an estate agent what are the key considerations? Hopefully this article will help those achieve a great service at the right price.

Firstly, those looking to buy or sell property should realise how important it is to create a balance between fees and services. It is normally the case that if you are paying next to nothing for an estate agent, the services will not be great. Naturally fees will always be applicable but by understanding that you are paying for a service and that service should be value for money your experience should be greater. Prices are mostly negotiable, but remember that if you bargain too successfully, chances are that the agent will be less likely to work hard for you if you are paying less.

The next step of utilising an estate agent is to sign a contract that gives both parties, the agent and client legal documentation containing the responsibilities of each. As with most contracts it is vital to recognise the importance of care when purveying the contract. Poring through it with a fine comb is advisable, as is asking for an explanation of any misunderstood clauses. One of the more important clauses is the time period that the seller will be tied to a particular agent; on average this is around six weeks, if it is any longer it may be worth asking for a new contract. As well as the temporal agreement, most experts agree that avoiding ‘’sole selling agreements'’ are worth avoiding.

That said it is not always advisable to secure the services of as many agents as possible. It is easy to fall into a situation where many agents are attempting to sell a property and yet none are performing their roles effectively. If only one agent is used, it is more likely that they will be able to devote time and energy to the sale. Even so, if agents have worked together in the past and have a good working relationship, their combined efforts may result in a quicker sale.

Whenever we meet people it is too easy to judge on first impressions. While we may be wowed by a slick estate agent and less impressed with a quiet representative it is always advisable to research their services thoroughly. Ask for examples of their work and look into their success rates in terms of speed of sales and how close to the asking figures they normally expect to secure. When meeting with many agents, taking notes so you can make a direct comparison later will mean that you are able to make the most logical and effective choice.

This is general advice that is applicable worldwide rather than purely in the town of Colchester. When you are paying for agency services remember that value for money should be your primary concern. You pay an agent for them to ease the sale or acquisition of a property, if they are ineffectual, move on to another who will meet your requirements.

About The Author

Real estate expert Thomas Pretty looks into the importance of finding the right estate agent Colchester services when looking for property in the vicinity.

Now that real estate prices on average have adjusted and fallen across most of the Spanish market, it makes it a very positive time to explore these alternative opportunities.

According to a Spanish investment property specialist the main investment approach that has seen larger investors profit substantially on an ongoing basis is buying properties for rent within the larger commercial and university cities in Spain where domestic demand is not abating.

In fact, the city based buy to let property market in Spain has suffered nothing of the negativities of over supply, with many urban areas actually suffering from a restriction of supply leading to increased demand.

In the capital Madrid for example we are hearing reports that 62 percent of apartments which become available are being rented within the first month alone.

The low supply of good quality rental property is also affecting rental prices. For example, average monthly rents in Lorca have gone up from 400 Euros a month to 550 Euros over the period of the last three months, and as the date for the opening of the new University of Lorca approaches, so demand is expected to further intensify.

Therefore, property investors looking for a market where there is strong demand for property, more attractive underlying real estate prices and strong potential for consistent year round rental income should be focusing their search on Spain’’s most in demand cities. Each day we are turning down clients looking for rental apartments. When one becomes available it is rented within the week, sometimes the same day.

Spain’’s local population has suffered in much the same way as the British population from rising property prices in recent years. This has led to a situation where more Spanish than ever are seeking rental accommodation because they cannot get onto the housing ladder. The Spanish Prime Minister has pledged significant financial help, not just to first time buyers, but more interestingly for buy to let investors too.

Direct monthly financial contributions of 200 Euros a month are being offered by the Spanish government to people under 30 years old to help with rental payments; proposals have also been made to help tenants raise deposits; and for landlords who agree to rent properties to under 35s to help them get into private accommodation, attractive taxation incentives have been proposed.

Property investors quite possibly have a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy property off plan at below market prices as developers work hard to sell off stock, or to buy resale units in what is very much a buyer’’s market, and earn rental income year round from the domestic market who are being aided and therefore encouraged to rent.

About The Author

Karl Hopkins manages various websites including www.fly-2let.co.uk, a free and unbiased resource that provides information for overseas property investors as well as anybody else that is interested in buying homes overseas.

Are you about to lose your home, go through foreclosure, and destroy your credit? If so you'’re not alone. Countless families across the country today are dealing with the very same problem today.

Consider one family’’s story - the LaVan family. They had a beautiful two story home in a great neighborhood and things were going great. However, first Ted LaVan lost his job, which started them in a spiral downwards. Then the economy grew worse, interested rates skyrocketed, gas prices went up, and the LaVans found themselves on the brink of foreclosure, no longer being able to afford their payments. Right before they were to give up and go through with the foreclosure, they found help and decided to sell their home to prevent foreclosure.

When Should You Sell?
Yes, selling your home is just one of many strategies that can help you to avoid going through a foreclosure on your home. While it may seem difficult to sell your home, there are many reasons why you should. The following are four of the top things that will let know when you should sell your home.

- You Can'’t Afford the Payments
- You'’ve Lost Interest
- You Don'’t Like Your Neighborhood
- The Home is a Liability

One thing that can help you realize that it is time to sell your home is that you can'’t afford the payments on the home any more. The last thing you want to end up going through is a foreclosure. A foreclosure could severely damage your credit, so you'’ll want to avoid it if at all possible. If you are falling further and further behind on your payments and you just can'’t make them anymore, then it’’s time for you to sell.

Another sign that you need to sell your home is if you have lost interest in your home or you just no longer have the desire to own this home. If you are frustrated with the home and you are not interested in it anymore, you may want to just give up and sell the home to avoid foreclosure. While you may want to fight a bit harder for a home you love, if you aren'’t thrilled with it anyway, why not sell it quickly so you can avoid the frustrating and damaging process of going through a foreclosure.

If you no longer like the neighborhood that your home is located in, this may be yet another sign that you should sell to avoid the foreclosure that is coming soon. A bad neighborhood can make you feel like you are uncomfortable within your own home, which can be so frustrating. In this case, why not go ahead and sell the home instead of going through a foreclosure.

Have you come to the place where you know your home is about to take you down financially? If so, the home may be more of a liability to you than it is an asset. If this is the case, it’’s time to sell. If the payments are too much to afford, you are afraid that foreclosure is on the horizon, and you are in danger of having your credit destroyed, then this is yet another sign that it’’s time to make the sale of your home.

Tips for Selling a Home Quickly
If you have come to the conclusion that this is the right time to sell your home because you can'’t afford it and it has become a liability that is leading you to foreclosure, no doubt you'’re going to need to sell quickly. However, in this time when the real estate market is down and the economy is not doing so well, it can be difficult to move homes quickly. The following are a few tips that can help you sell your home as quickly as possible.

- Tip #1 - Give Your Home Great Curb Appeal - First of all, if you need to sell quickly to avoid a foreclosure, you are going to need to give your home some great curb appeal. When people are looking at your home, the first thing they see is the front yard and front of your home. You want it to look great from the curb so they get a great first impression. Trim the lawn, get some great landscaping, and make sure the front of your home looks wonderful. Even adding a new front door can make it look better.

- Tip #2 - Clean Everything - You'’ll also need to make sure that everything is totally clean within the home. Clean the appliances, the bathroom, the floors, and even the closets as well. People want a clean home, and anything that is not clean is going to turn off potential buyers.

- Tip #3 - Get Rid of Clutter and Personals - Getting rid of clutter and personal items is important as well. You want the home to look spacious and you want potential buyers to envision their things in the home, not be distracted by your personal items. This is important if you want to sell before you get foreclosed on.

- Tip #4 - Make Sure the Home Smells Great - Last of all, the smell is so important as well. No one wants to live in a home that stinks. So, it is important that you eliminate all bad smells and make sure that the home smells great. Do some baking or light some candles for a nice homey smell.

Using these tips can help you to sell your home quickly if you are facing foreclosure. It can be difficult to sell during this time, but if you want to avoid foreclosure, you need to sell as soon as possible, so keep these tips in mind.

About The Author

Peter Baptiste is known as the Foreclosure Doctor Online. Feel free to visit his blog where he provides a wealth of information on a regular basis. ]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/19/strategy-to-stop-foreclosure-sell-the-house/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/19/real-estate-call-capture-hotlines-3-secrets-to-increasing-leads-and-conversions/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/19/real-estate-call-capture-hotlines-3-secrets-to-increasing-leads-and-conversions/#comments Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:23:54 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Brandi Cummings

Call capture hotlines have been around for many years now. Real estate agents are using them to generate leads, increase conversions, track and test their advertising campaigns, and stay in contact with their clients and prospective clients. You will find call capture hotlines in the arsenals of some of the top agents in the country as well as newbie agents just starting out. They can be used to supplement marketing that is already working or to help create a marketing campaign from scratch. You will find people that swear by them and by the success that they have brought them in their real estate business and you will find others that don'’t believe they work at all.

So if they are so flexible and widely used, why don'’t they work for everybody? Call capture hotlines are a tool just like any other. If you don'’t know how to use it, you will not get the results you seek. If, however, you educate yourself on how to use that tool you can use it to get the results that you seek and more. Here are 3 secrets experienced and successful users of call capture hotlines know and use to increase leads and conversions:

1. The Right Copy Will Encourage Calls. When it comes to ad copy there is a certain psychology that you need to employ if you want to encourage people to pick up the phone and dial your toll free number. Statistics show that people looking to buy a house want “Free 24 Hour Recorded Information”. Let’’s break it down:

* FREE - 90% of Americans report using a toll free number and studies show that using a toll free number in your advertising can increase your response by 30%.
* 24 HOUR - 94% of people looking for a new home do so at odd hours of the day or night.
* RECORDED - 53% of home buyers avoid calling a real estate agent for fear of getting into a high-pressured sales pitch.
* INFORMATION - 88% of home buyers browse neighborhoods in their cars looking for homes for sale. 94% of people find it important to have access to home information as they browse from their vehicles. Luckily, 78% of people carry a cell phone.

Using the right copy on your advertising will greatly improve the number of leads you generate from your call capture hotline. Using “Free 24 Hour Recorded Information” in your ads will break down barriers, tell your prospects they are going to get the information they need, let them do it at their convenience and ultimately increase calls to your hotline.

2. Get Callers To Connect To You. Obviously call capture systems are great at generating leads by capturing your caller’’s information even if they just listen to your recording and then hang up. However, wouldn'’t it be great if 1/3 of those people also pressed that key to connect to you right then and there? To ensure that this happens, your property listing recordings need to encourage them to do so. You can do this in a number of ways.

First, you can let them know that due to changing market conditions the pricing information on the property would need to be updated nearly every day. Let them know that rather than re-recording the messages daily, they can simply press “7? and you would be happy to get pricing information for them. Secondly, make sure you are creating excitement with your recordings. Spark their curiosity with statements like, “Homes in this neighborhood are the most sought after properties in this community. Press 7 now to find out why.” Or another example might be, “The family that currently lives in this home hates to leave it. To find out why, press 7 now.” Give your callers a reason to connect to you live to increase your conversions. Just make sure that when they do, you can fulfill your promise to satisfy their curiosity.

3. A Personal Touch Converts. One of the things successful agents do on their call capture hotlines is to make their own recordings. Don'’t be tempted to use a professional voice service to make the recordings on your call capture hotline. People like it when the voice they hear in the free recording is the same voice that answers the phone when they get transferred to a live person. They like it so much it can increase your conversions up to 30%. An increase in conversions of up to 30% is completely worth the few minutes it will take you to make that listing recording.

Real estate call capture hotlines are great marketing and lead generation tools. But just like any tool, if you don'’t use it correctly you will not get the results you are looking for. The above 3 secrets that successful users of call capture already know will definitely get you on your way to getting the most from your hotline. Use the right copy to encourage your prospects to dial your toll free number, encourage them to want to speak to you live by sparking their curiosity with your recordings, and make sure those recordings have an added personal touch by being in your own voice. Those 3 simple tactics will easily increase your leads and conversions and help you get the most from your call capture hotline.

About The Author

Brandi Cummings is a leading telecommunications consultant specializing in 800 number call capture technology for real estate professionals. Learn more secrets and tips on how to make a call capture system work for you at www.realtyone800.com.

When it comes to financing or re-financing a home, families with stay-at-home moms may have difficulty based on the fact that one spouse has little or no visible income.

This leads some financiers to try and swing loans or re-finances that are easier to approve initially, but may be detrimental to the homebuyer in the long run.

An adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM, is commonly offered when interest rates are low, and the finance company is betting on the fact that the housing market will turn around and cause rates to go up so they can make more money of the interest. This basically means that if you are holding an ARM and your payments are $565 per month, if the interest rates rise your mortgage could jump to $787 per month or even $1010 a month.

If you are being pressured to sign loan papers for an adjustable rate mortgage, consider carefully what the long term consequences may be. The rates might be low right now, but there is no telling what the future may bring - and no guarantee that your net income will keep pace with interest rates.

A fixed rate mortgage is usually better in the long run. If you can secure one when the rates are reasonably low, then you will be protected if they rise later and your payment will not increase. This is especially good for stay-at-home moms or seniors who are living on a very strict budget.

Another tactic that is commonly offered is a second mortgage in the form of a home equity loan. These are not a good idea, should be looked into only as a last resort, and should never cause your total debt to be more than 80% the value of your home.

A home equity loan is designed to provide you with a lump sum of cash to use to pay for home remodeling, bills or other debts in return for a second lien on your home. If your home is worth $100,000, your first mortgage might have a balance of $67,000, with payments of $400 a month. If you add a second 10 year mortgage in the amount of $17,000 (bringing your total debt to 80% the worth of your home) you could have an additional monthly payment of $200 per month.

You have to decide if it is worth it to add extra to your house payment each month, and be aware that if you default on the second mortgage they can and will take your home, even if the original mortgage is paid.

This can be a very real danger if the working spouse loses his job for some reason, and the family cannot meet all their obligations. Think long and hard before taking out a home equity loan, be sure your reasons for doing so are sound, and that you have a solid plan for repaying it as soon as possible.

About The Author

Rayven Perkins has been a stay at home mom, surviving on one income, for over 8 years. Visit her site ]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/home-financing-refinancing-and-equity-loans/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/austin-neighborhood-profiles-barton-hills/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/austin-neighborhood-profiles-barton-hills/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:23:49 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Ki Gray

The residential neighborhood around Barton Springs which is now called Barton Hills is one of the earliest settlements in the Austin area, and the community was originally a small town itself. This unique neighborhood is so old that dinosaur footprints dating back millions of years have been found on the banks of the creek and springs!

More recently, shortly after the Texas Revolution in 1836, William Barton, for whom the community was named, patented the land near Barton Springs and named the springs for his three daughters. Prior to that, the Spanish had established three settlements around the springs in the early 1700s, and the creek and community were called Spring Creek at the time, which was in the Mexican state of Coahuala, but later granted to Benjamin Milam and referred to as Milam’’s Colony.

In 1875, passage could be bought from Austin to Barton Hills on the Steamboat Sunbeam for 50 cents round trip, and later, in the early twentieth century, the land was acquired by Andrew J. Zilker and deeded to the City of Austin as a park in 1918 and later 1931, on the condition that the city support educational programs. Robert E. Lee was also an early visitor to the area, and a well known street in the neighborhood is named for him today.

One of the earliest architects who built homes in the area was named A.D. Stenger, and his eclectic “contemporary” style, which favored low, sloping roofs and decks and balconies which extended into the treetops, was well known and he was frequently compared to Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1956, the neighborhood was named in Austin’’s Parade of Homes as the world’’s largest air-conditioned subdivision, and the neighborhood was later subdivided by S.R. Sheppard, among others, into six sections with 1585 planned lots on 535 acres of land.

In 1990, the population of Barton Hills was 6,796, and today it is over 9,000, with 8,036 residents being reported in the census of 2000, so the area is expanding rapidly as well. Today, there is an active neighborhood association, named for the neighborhood, and many schools, churches, small grocery stores and other small businesses around Barton Hills Drive.

There are also many activities and events in Zilker Park, which is the home of the Barton Springs Pool and hike and bike trails, as well as Umlauf Sculpture Gardens and the Zilker Botanical Gardens. In addition, there are and many campsites, picnic tables, and the Austin Nature Center in the park, which includes a small wild animal habitat which features animals, birds, reptiles, and other forms of wildlife native to central Texas.

The Barton Creek Hike and Bike Trail runs the length of the neighborhood, with entry points in various locations, and Campbell’’s Hole, a historic swimming hole which is formed from the waters of the creek and springs, is a popular spot for neighborhood children and families, as well as their dogs, since the trails are ideal for dog walking and hiking.

Barton Hills Elementary School is directly across from the greenbelt, and St. Mark’’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Barton Hills Drive and Barton Skyway, is a pristine and very majestic neighborhood church which features a serene meditation walk on the grounds behind the church replete with tables, benches, and quiet, peaceful spots for prayer, worship, and meditation.

Since the neighborhood is adjacent to the Mopac Expressway, the area is easily accessible to visitors and residents alike, and with its natural beauty, many amenities, history, and gracious homes, it is one of the most popular and well-respected neighborhoods in Austin, for good reason!

About The Author

Ki works as a realtor in the Austin real estate market. His site provides information on barton hills homes along with a search of the Austin MLS.

The average number of transactions per surveyor fell further in July as a lack of mortgage finance continued to weigh heavily on the market.

However, sales expectations have improved, driven by sellers beginning to offer more realistic asking prices says RICS'’ UK housing market survey published 12 August 2008.

83.9 percent more Chartered Surveyors reported a fall than a rise in house prices, a decrease from 86.9 percent in June.

The inability of many to secure mortgage finance is reflected in the collapse in transactions.

Demand remains weak with the balance of surveyors reporting new buyer enquiries still at a low ebb. Last month, new buyer enquiries improved again with 27 percent more Chartered Surveyors reporting a fall than a rise compared to 35 percent in June and 50 percent in May.

In June, surveyors reported that ‘’predatory buyers'’ were bargain hunting for property. This month, surveyors report that ‘’realism'’ has returned to the market with many sellers dropping asking prices to more realistic levels.

New instructions to sell property edged closer to positive territory with three percent more Chartered Surveyors reporting a fall than a rise, up from 13 percent in June.

The current period of economic weakness has led to higher levels of unemployment but the latest repossession figures still remain well below the levels seen in the early 1990′’s.

RICS spokesperson Ian Perry said: “The lack of mortgage finance has brought the housing market to a virtual standstill with first-time buyers rapidly becoming an endangered species. Going forward, there are signs that sales activity might pick up a little as sellers start to re-evaluate unrealistic asking prices.

“However, the current confused messages from the Government regarding stamp duty risks damaging any returning confidence and may discourage mobility.”

The average homebuyer put down a 22 percent deposit in June, up from 20 percent in May, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The majority of lending continues to be on conservative terms, as lending criteria have tightened in response to the shortage of funding and current market conditions.

Gross lending decreased slightly to 23.6 billion pounds in June, down 4 percent from May and 32 percent lower than June last year. The largest share of gross lending was remortgaging (44 percent) with 75,000 loans worth 10.3 billion pounds in June. Loans for house purchase accounted for 30 percent of gross lending with 47,000 loans worth 7 billion pounds.

While all parts the mortgage market are suffering a reduction in business volumes, the majority of mortgages continue to be obtained through an intermediary. The credit crunch had a particularly marked effect in the first quarter of 2008, when there was an increase in the proportion of borrowers seeking the advice of an intermediary.

In the second quarter of 2008, 78 percent of first-time buyers and 61 percent of home movers used an intermediary to obtain their mortgage.

CML head of research, Bob Pannell said: “Mortgage lending activity remains relatively weak and will decline further in the coming months as a result of funding constraints and lower consumer demand. The majority of lending continues to be to people with larger deposits, which is prudent for borrowers and lenders in a slowing housing market.”

About The Author

For further information on the uk property market visit Residential Landlord the free online resource for landlords and property investors. In addition the website also offers free document downloads such as tenancy agreements.

]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/realism-returns-to-the-uk-property-market/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/why-dont-lenders-care-about-doing-short-sales/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/why-dont-lenders-care-about-doing-short-sales/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:44:15 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Dave Dinkel

It is an enormous frustration to investors doing short sales that the lenders take months to make a decision and just don'’t seem to care.

The homeowner stuck in the middle gets frustrated because he doesn'’t know how soon he will be required to move or worse, be evicted from his former home. In fact, the business of short sales by lenders is a gigantic part of their business and is absolutely necessary to keep their inventory of homes (REO’’s) as low as possible.

Despite the benefit to the lender and to the investor, the investor-buyer is often treated as a “bottom feeder” and with minimal respect. Why should the lender treat investors any differently?

Common sense, which is not all so common, would say that getting rid of a headache is better than suffering. However, if lenders agreed quickly to short sale offers, they would be putting their portfolio at risk by not doing good and proper due diligence with regard to the real value of the property.

In the old days, an investor could walk into a local bank office and ask if they had an REO’’s. The clerks or tellers would send them to an officer who would have a few properties that were For Sale by the bank. These days are gone in 99% of the country. To avoid favoritism and possible fraud, these transactions are centralized in loss mitigation facilities throughout the country.

All foreclosure cases are handled by these highly trained professionals that are taught how to handle investors.

Handling investors is very simple. The investors who get short sales done quickly and efficiently are offering way too much money, usually 80+% of the mortgage amount due.

Lenders will take this 20% discount all day long. The real short sale specialists are the ones who work diligently and get discounts of 30% to 50% off. To get this amount the lender has to cool his heals and have the property listed on the MLS to make certain the property can'’t be sold for a more reasonable price.

Investors target the deficiencies in the property and any weaknesses the lender will have to correct or pay for until the property is sold through a realtor. If the realtor lists the property too high, there will be no offers.

If he lists it too low, he will have offers but the buyer will have the low offering price on the MLS to contend with when he rehabs and re-sells it to retail buyer, resulting in some buyers not being able to get financing.

The loss mitigation reps have hundreds of cases assigned to them and are paid on performance. Yes, the lender knows how much he is willing to discount each and every mortgage that comes into loss mitigation.

So despite the best efforts of the investor to de-value the property, the loss mitigation rep already knows the amount he can allow the mortgage to be discounted.

The “loss mit rep” knows because he has access to real estate agents'’ price opinions (BPO’’s), real estate agents'’ comparative market analysis (CMA’’s) and appraisals that all indicate the fair market value at a specific time.

The public records are reviewed to see what other issues the lender may face. Finally, a “kick-out” price is determined by a supervisor and the loss mit rep is given a monetary incentive to get anything higher for the mortgage.

What happens is the loss mit rep is actually bidding against himself by allowing the investor too low a price. So the incentive is to control the investor by driving him crazy by not answering calls, and holding off as long as possible. If the short sale isn'’t completed it is not a demerit against the loss mit rep.

The system of loss mitigation is inherently flawed by the way lenders compensate their employees and the number of cases (250+) each rep is required to handle.

The cases that get the attention are the ones with the highest offers or lowest discounts because the loss mit rep gets a higher compensation. Unfortunately, this means that viable properties are left to sit and decay that could have been sold quickly otherwise and often for more money.

So the lenders may care about getting properties off their books, but their loss mitigation system is flawed in the favor of the people who should be interested in doing the best job for the lender, not the homeowner or the investor.

About The Author

Dave Dinkel
has over 33 years experience in real estate investing which has given him a
unique perspective into the real estate market. Dave is the author of the
best-selling e-courses

]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/why-dont-lenders-care-about-doing-short-sales/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/a-short-cut-to-a-short-sale-in-foreclosure/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/a-short-cut-to-a-short-sale-in-foreclosure/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:39:22 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Dave Dinkel

The best short cut to completing a short sale is actually having the lender sell the note to the property buyer.

Yes, often the lender will consider selling the note at a discount when it won'’t do a short sale. The difference to the lender is the cost and time saved in selling the note versus the drawn-out time required to complete a short sale.

The options to the lender are to:
1.) complete the foreclosure through the court system, which it will have to do if there are additional liens against the property that must be “extinguished”.

2.) complete a short sale to an investor who may or may not close on the transaction, despite having given a deposit and showing proof of funds.

3.) selling the mortgage note to a buyer in a few days at a discount they would have accepted on the short sale, and have no further headaches.

Generally this decision is an easy one in accepting the best offer that nets the lender the most money in the least time. However, some lenders have policies about what discounts they will take and often they have an internal policy of not selling their single mortgages at a discount to investors.

This varies greatly from lender to lender and I am always surprised when I make an offer only to be told that the loss mitigation representative says “I'’m not sure”.

If we want to make an offer to the lender to buy a note, we preface the conversation with “We often buy the mortgage note (trust deed) at the same discount we would pay for a short sale and we continue the foreclosure”.

We go on to explain that the lender can be out of the mortgage in seven days or less instead of 30 - 60 days or more. The benefit to us as investors is to get the transaction done and know we control the property. You do not have to have the deed to the property because you can continue the foreclosure and get the property at auction.

The auction offers another opportunity to make money on the foreclosed property if there are other bidders because your discounted note is good for the full face amount as an auction credit.

For example, if you buy a $100,000 note for $80,000, at the auction you would bid $100 to start which means your first bid is $100,000 plus $100. The next bidder bids $100 which is actually a bid of $100,200. If no other bids are made the bid for $100,200 is accepted and you will get $100,000 for your $80,000 note! The result is a clear profit of $20,000 or 25% without ever seeing the property.

We use this method when a homeowner will not take our offering price and says “I'’ll let the bank have it first!” Well, in this case you become the bank and you get the property for less than the homeowner would have sold it for.

The homeowner can use this same technique by having a friend or family member buy the note from the lender, allow the homeowner to stay in the property and carry the mortgage on the property at the full face amount.

Many investors and homeowners called this an “advanced” strategy. The only advanced aspect of this technique is actually asking the lender, and making a case for why you are doing it. It is very important, to have your attorney do a complete title and lien search even if you know the homeowner.

This technique of buying the mortgage loan at a discount is simple, straight forward and benefits the lender and the note buyer. Historically, lenders will gladly accept 78% - 80% of the balance due and will negotiate to as little as 50% if the property is in serious need of repair or has substantial code violations against the property.

Caution, if there are additional liens against the property, you may have to continue the foreclosure that the lender has already paid for in most cases.

About The Author

Dave Dinkel
has over 33 years experience in real estate investing which has given him a
unique perspective into the real estate market. Dave is the author of the
best-selling e-courses

]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/a-short-cut-to-a-short-sale-in-foreclosure/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/dangers-of-buying-reos-just-out-of-foreclosure/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/dangers-of-buying-reos-just-out-of-foreclosure/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:36:37 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Dave Dinkel

Banks and lending institutions that own real estate that was acquired through foreclosure call these properties real estate owned or REO;s. REO’’s represent a liability to lenders because of the required accounting that literally “sucks” away assets of the lenders by the requirement they have substantial cash reserves to offset any potential loss when the properties are sold.

This cash requirement substantially depletes the leveraged lending ability of that specific institution so REO’’s are not what any lender wants. In addition, the lender faces capital loss due to a declining real estate market.

REO’’s are a fact-of-life for lenders, so much so that they have extensive infra-structure to deal with these properties and have developed ways to sell them that whips investors into a buying frenzy.

As always the REO is placed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) at what is assumed to be fair market value (FMV) and allowed to stay at this price for 30 to 60 days. The price is next reduced by about 10% and the results are carefully watched.

If there is no action, the price will be reduced at least once more by roughly 15% - 20%. Because of the data sorting capabilities of the MLS every time the price is reduced, investors and realtors see the price changes and look more carefully at the property.

After two price reductions, if no firm acceptable offers have been tendered, the lender will “free-fall” the price as much as 30% to 40% below what it was originally offered. This pricing will almost always get plenty of interest and contracts.

However, the lender and his agent stall taking an offer and tell perspective buyers to “Give us your best and final offer”. The reality is the lender is trying to play each investor/buyer against the next to get the highest bid possible.

In many cases the final sales price is well over what the lender would have taken without the bidding process.

The lender will give priority to cash offers because of the speed in closing the sale, but often they will accept conventional financing if the buyer looks good credit wise and has a substantial down payment.

If there is a cash offer versus a financing offer and there is less than $5,000 difference, the lender will take the cash offer. What an investor needs to know, to get his offer accepted, is to only deal directly with the listing broker.

If a buyer’’s agent is used representing the investor, the commission will be split between the lender’’s agent and the investor’’s agent.

I have personally made higher offers through a buyer’’s agent who originally showed me the property and had them declined for a lower offer that was submitted directly to the lender’’s agent.

Simple mathematics, the lender’’s agent got twice the commission taking the direct offer. Don'’t let this happen to you, go t o the REO agent to begin and pay your agent separate if he brings you the deal.

Another huge issue not often mentioned in REO sales is illegal structures added without permitting. These are not title issues because they are not covered by title insurance unless the code violations are open and in the public record.

So a buyer of an REO can get title insurance, but actually purchase an illegally added bedroom, bathroom, etc. and have problems when he resells the property. Some counties and cities required a “re-inspection” before title can be transferred, and these issues would become apparent to a buyer. However, the vast majority do not require re-occupancy inspections and the problem may be passed on to the buyer.

Lenders do not give a warranty deed but offer a buyer a limited warranty deed which only covers the period when the lender actually owned the property further reducing the lender’’s liability for deficiencies in the property.

Buying REO’’s is truly the best example of “buyer beware” and the solution is to have a certified inspector look for structural problems, permit issues and illegal additions.

If the buyer does his homework and is willing to assume the risks of the unknown, unseen problems, REO’’s can be rewarding purchases. The best way to acquire the properties is to decide on the highest bid you are willing to pay and not to exceed this offer despite what the “friendly” agent is telling you. Even more importantly, the actual price the lender is offering is always negotiable.

If the lender says “No” to your offer, just say “What will you take?” and you will almost always save yourself thousands of dollars!

About The Author

Dave Dinkel
has over 33 years experience in real estate investing which has given him a
unique perspective into the real estate market. Dave is the author of the
best-selling e-courses

]]> http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/dangers-of-buying-reos-just-out-of-foreclosure/feed/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/what-is-keys-for-cash-in-foreclosure/ http://www.hitalink.com/2008/08/18/what-is-keys-for-cash-in-foreclosure/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:36:12 +0000 LinkFeeder Real Estate By Dave Dinkel

The term “keys for cash” in foreclosure is common in two situations. The first place it is often used is when a lender agrees to a short sale and the homeowner needs get-away money to leave the property.

Most often the investor buying the property will explain that the lender will not allow any funds to go to the homeowner at the closing of the sale. He will go on to explain that he, the investor, will help the homeowner by buying his furniture or “antiques'’ and the lender will never be the wiser.

Unfortunately for the homeowner and the investor and transfer of funds “off” or “outside” the HUD-1 closing statement is actually bank fraud.

I can almost hear real estate gurus screaming and turning in their graves as I write this! However, the reality is that both parties are a part of a banking fraud by exchanging any type of “good and valuable consideration” off of or outside the closing statement (HUD-1).

Sometimes attorneys will even allow a small check to go “off the HUD” if it is less that some arbitrary $1,000 or $2,000, however, it is still bank fraud in the eyes of the law.

If a homeowner is cooperating in doing a short sale, he has presented the lender with a “hardship letter” explaining his personal situation and it is the responsibility of the person doing the short sale to ask the lender for a “keys for cash” payment to the homeowner.

This is simply where the lender agrees to a small ($1,000 - $1,500) payment that is listed on the HUD-1 for an agreement that the homeowner will leave the property in “broom swept” condition and leave all the major appliances in the property.

The attorney for the closing can hold the funds in escrow until an appointed trustworthy person goes after the closing and checks the property.

The second type of keys for cash program is where a homeowner has refinanced his property within the past three years and goes into foreclosure.

However, in this case the homeowner has a forensic mortgage analysis done and it is determined that a Truth-in-Lending Act (T.I.L.A.) violation has occurred. This is a serious Federal law violation that requires the lender to give back all the payments made by the homeowner to the lender.

Yes, it means that the lender will not only be not foreclosing, but he will be paying the homeowner back all his mortgage payments.

TILA is a viable defense to a mortgage foreclosure if the homeowner has refinanced in the past three years and certain disclosures or APR calculations were done incorrectly.

If a homeowner qualified for the TILA defense, he can expect to stop making mortgage payments and not go into foreclosure and eventually get all his mortgage payments refunded.

In actuality, most lenders have offered the homeowner a “keys for cash” to buyout the homeowner rather that lose the mortgage note being deemed invalid.

So you have seen two very diverse ways that lenders will pay homeowners to leave their homes to facilitate the lender getting control of the property in better condition or so as not to lose the entire principal amount of the loan in an extended court battle that they can'’t win.

The root of the TILA problem is first the improper disclosure or material facts to the borrower, and the last minute changes that the closing agent makes without re-calculating the APR using the new HUD-1 closing costs.

About The Author

Dave Dinkel
has over 33 years experience in real estate investing which has given him a
unique perspective into the real estate market. Dave is the author of the
best-selling e-courses