Don’t be Embarrassed About Doing a Short Sale.

When the real estate market crashed, many people were left owing a lot more on their house than it was actually worth. Some also lost their jobs. It didn’t matter what income bracket they were in, the crash affected upper, middle and lower income families alike.

In other words, you’re not alone. So, there’s really no reason at all to feel embarrassed about doing a short sale. And, there is nothing dishonest about it, as some people feel; a short sale is merely a tool to help you take control of your financial situation, rather than letting your house go to foreclosure, which often has a more damaging effect on your credit rating.

How will people react if I Short Sale my house?

Friends and neighbors are no longer so quick to judge those who have “short sale” or “foreclosure” signs on their front lawns. Everyone appreciates that times are tough and we’ve all become more sympathetic to those who are struggling financially.

It’s distressing for people who have always had good financial habits to suddenly find they are unable to keep their mortgage payments up-to-date. If you find yourself in a precarious financial situation due to the housing crash, doing a short sale may be the answer. No one wants to be burdened with a huge debt that is difficult to keep up the payments on.

What will my lender do if I need a short sale?

While some lenders are approachable, allowing homeowners to re-finance or negotiate new terms that will allow them to make regular payments again, other lenders aren’t so flexible, leaving you with only three choices;

  1. pay up on the spot,
  2. face foreclosure or
  3. do a short sale.

If the latter is what you’re faced with, a short sale will help you to keep your dignity while you sell your home and make a fresh start.

Who can I turn to for help?

An Orlando real estate agent who is experienced in short sales, like those here at Orlando Realty Consultants, will help to make the short sale process as smooth and painless as possible. We are trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of a short sale and can answer any questions you may have about selling your home in this way.  There is no need to feel embarrassed about calling us as we work with folks every day who are going through the short sales process.

Call us at 407-902-7750 to discuss your options, we are certain we can help.

 

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Great News for Orlando Short Sales!

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 has been Extended

The mortgage debt relief act has officially been extended for another year. This is a law that exempts those who are in a foreclosure or short sale situation [primary residences only] from having to pay federal income taxes on the deficiency balance of their mortgage after the transaction is complete.

This law was passed back in 2007 right when the Florida real estate market crashed. The main purpose of the law was to allow people to complete the short sale on their home and not be taxed on the deficiency as if it were income. This is a huge incentive for homeowners that are upside down to short sale their home.

I know many people have been holding their breath as the ending of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 would have signaled a harmful blow to the real estate industry. Well now they can breath a sigh of relief, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act is now set to expire on January 1, 2014 and only applies to only a primary residence. Most homeowners that were on the fence about doing a short sale on their home would have probably chosen to file for bankruptcy as opposed to working something out with the lender.

Here’s an example of exactly what this means; Let’s say that a struggling homeowner sells their home for $100,000 and they owe $175,000, they are not taxed on the $75,000 that the bank had to write off. This is great news for homeowners that are struggling. Prior to the Act, homeowners were taxed on the forgiven debt, known as debt discharge income. If this act wasn’t in place, even people that have lost their homes to foreclosure would be taxed on the deficiency balance between what the house owed and what it sold for.Unlike any other liens or judgments, I.R.S. liens will follow you for the rest of your life and if you try to avoid paying them off, the I.R.S. will garnish your wages.

 Orlando Realtors are Thrilled that “the Act” was extended

For realtors like myself that specialize in doing Orlando short sales, this great news. It means that short sales are still going to be the best way to go for struggling homeowners who can no longer afford to pay their mortgage. I would imagine that BK attorneys were hoping that the act wouldn’t be extended so that more homeowners would have opted for filing bankruptcy as opposed to short sale. at the end of the day, it’s a win win for all parties involved in the transaction.

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The Truth About How a Short Sale Will Affect Your Credit Score

So exactly how will a short sale impact your credit score?  The short answer is a short sale can have less of an effect on your credit score than a foreclosure. But, it must be done correctly.

Should I do a short sale?

Short sales can happen if a lender agrees to accept less than the amount owed against the home because there is not enough equity in it to pay all costs of the sale.

Firstly, it’s important to get legal and tax advice before making any decision. A real estate agent experienced in Orlando short sales can be of invaluable help to you as you negotiate with your lender. It’s important to note that not all lenders will agree to a short sale.

Although there are a few lenders that will agree to a short sale if the homeowner is current, most lenders won’t even consider a short sale unless the mortgage holder is at least 30 days behind on their payment.

What tips should I know for negotiating my short sale.

When negotiating a short sale it’s important to be aware that there is no guarantee that the lender will accept the short sale offer. You should also know that short sales can take several months to complete sometimes depending on who the lender is.

If the lender does not agree to a short sale there are other options available to the homeowner such as a “deed in lieu” which is basically a voluntary foreclosure in which you sign the property back over to the bank.

Other options include trying to negotiate a loan modification or filing for bankruptcy. If neither of these options work than the property will most likely be foreclosed on and sold at public auction to the highest bidder.

If your request is approved, ask your lender to report the short sale as “paid in full,” as part of the negotiation.

So what’s the impact on my credit score?

Many sources report that a short sale has about the same impact on your credit score as a foreclosure when the seller is in arrears; however, that’s not always the case.  With some short sales, sellers report that their credit score only dropped by 100 points.

The biggest advantage of a short sale is that you will be able to qualify to buy another home within two years as opposed to five to seven years after a foreclosure.

Talk to an Orlando real estate agent experienced in short sales to discuss the possibility of doing a short sale of your home.

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Tips for home buyers regarding Orlando short sales

Buying an Orlando short sale?  Don’t do it alone

Whenever you’re considering the purchase of Orlando real estate, you should always consult with an experienced and licensed real estate professional. This is especially true when you’re talking about buying an Orlando short sale because there are soo many things that can go wrong. It’s true that you can get a great deal on an Orlando property by purchasing a short sale but you need to be aware of what you’re getting into before committing to anything.

By consulting with an experienced short sale realtor, you will be able to eliminate all the guess work and be confident in your decision making.

Here are some informational tips that you may find helpful when purchasing a short sale

1- You have to be patient- If you need to get into a house quick, an Orlando short sale is probably not a good option for you. Short sales can sometimes take several months to complete. New guidelines that have been put in place by the U.S. Treasury Dept, now force lenders to respond much faster to short sale offers. However, it still takes much longer than a traditional sale.

2-Don’t put all your eggs into one basket– Just because you have an offer on a short sale, it doesn’t mean that you should stop looking at other houses. It’s not against the law to have offers on more than one property as long as you inform the other parties when one of your offers gets accepted.

3-Get the house inspected– Most Orlando short sale properties are sold as-is. For this reason it’s important to get a home inspection done by a professional home inspector especially when it’s an older home. If issues come up in the inspection you may be able to negotiate the price down even further.

4-Make sure your financing is ready– As an Orlando short sale realtor, I will not submit an offer to a lender unless the buyer shows me either proof of funds or a pre-approval letter that can be verified. Be sure that you have your financing in order even before you go house shopping. This way you know what price range you can afford and you will avoid any surprises.

 

 If you still have questions about buying an Orlando short sale feel free to contact us for a free consultation. We are Orlando short sale specialists and have been helping people buy and sell Orlando real estate since 2005.

 

 

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Florida short sale | Luxurious Winter Park home for sale

Great deal on a Luxury Winter Park Home- 1760 ELIZABETHS WALK, WINTER PARK

 

Orlando Realty Consultants is proud to add 1760 Elizabeths Walk  Winter Park, Fl. to it’s list of breathtaking luxury homes. Built in 2002, this 3,710 sq ft. two story single family home is located in one of Winter Park’s premier neighborhoods, Windsong!

Being an Orlando short sale, this property will be sold at a huge discount and will be a great deal for anyone wanting to live in this area.

With 5 bed rooms and 4 full bathrooms and large common areas the layout has a seemingly effortless flow to it. Exquisite solid wood cabinetry, exotic granite counter tops, and top of the line appliances all come together with an amazing attention to detail throughout this gorgeous house.

 

Just a few of the home’s features

* Huge master’s retreat with sitting area

* Wide open Kitchen

* Vaulted Ceilings

* Granite counter tops throughout

* Solid wood cabinetry throughout

* High end appliances and fixtures throughout

* Dining and great room designed for family gatherings and entertainment.

* Wood burning Fireplace in the living Room

* Covered back patio

* 2-car garage

* Located in a Cul-De-Sac

* Community club house, 2 Community pools, and playground

 

 

Easy access to schools, first rate shops and restaurants, and close to Orlando’s top medical facilities

So much more a definite must see!

Call to make your appointment, You DO NOT want to miss out on this Great opportunity! BANK APPROVED PRICE!!

 

Are you currently searching for your Central Florida dream home?  Look no further just click on;  search Orlando Luxury real estate and you”ll have access to all the properties listed on the Florida MLS. Within just a few clicks of your mouse, you’ll be searching out Florida real estate like a pro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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