Life After Foreclosure
December 9th, 2009 by adminRecent statistics showed that foreclosure filings reached one million in May with indications that the number could swell to 2.4 million by the end of 2009. Unfortunately, much like filing bankruptcy, the ramifications of a foreclosure filing will follow these families around for a long time. The first issue following a foreclosure, however, is an immediate one; finding a new place to live. Many families, in the battle to remain in their home, will use up most or all of their funds prior to foreclosure. That leaves them empty handed once the foreclosure is done. Combined with a credit score that reflects the foreclosure, the lack of funds can make a prospective landlord queasy about approving an applicant in this situation. Solutions include:
* Writing a letter of explanation to accompany the lease application. Putting a story behind the current situation, along with a detailed solution can go a long way.
* Offering a larger deposit than required. It may have to be borrowed or saved during the last stages of the foreclosure but the offer of a larger deposit will serve to lessen the risk perceived by the landlord.
* If there is a solid income history, leasing a property at a small fraction of the total income will ease the concerns of a landlord.
The second issue is the inevitable hit on the homeowner’s credit score. Credit scoring is now integrated so that a foreclosure will not be an isolated event. Once a foreclosure hits a report, credit card interest rates will skyrocket and credit limits will be slashed. Carrying a high balance on credit cards can be prohibitively expensive at interest rates above 27%. It will also be difficult and expensive to get approved for any other type of loans. Solutions include:
* Debt settlement ? Defaulting on consumer debt and then doing nothing doesn’t make it go away. Additionally, staying current on your cards with rates at 30% is going to take precious money away from lease deposits, etc. If your credit score is going to take a pounding anyway, entering a debt settlement will cut your payments in half and pay the debt off within 48 months.
* Be proactive regarding your credit score. Be sure to note your scores when balances are paid off. Your credit score can be re-built over time as you get out of debt.
Like bankruptcies, prospective employers are now focusing more attention on foreclosure filings in terms of judging the character and financial responsibility of the applicant. Credit checks are now a regular part of the screening process, especially when there are a number of applicants. A foreclosure can tip the scales if everything else is equal between two applicants. A possible solution is to have a letter of explanation detailing the events that led to the foreclosure. Total honesty is going to be the best approach here and, who knows, if the person hiring you is going through his own set of financial challenges you may just find some common ground which to you getting a break.
The IRS considers the amount of money owed on the mortgage that is not recovered from the sale of the property as income for the homeowner. In any case where debt is forgiven, the amount not paid back will be taxed as income. Solutions here include a congressional pass that exempts the owners of foreclosed property from a tax hit if it was their primary residence and the property wasn’t refinanced with a cash out loan. The tax bill can also be avoided by proving insolvency. If your debts are greater than your assets you’ll be allowed a pass on money owed for forgiven debt.
In the end, the mental toll of being forced from your home and community could be the greatest cost. The best solution is to focus on learning from mistakes, putting the past in the past, and moving forward. Lastly, like filing bankruptcy, the stigma of filing foreclosure doesn’t carry the baggage that it once did. As widespread as foreclosures are and with delinquencies occurring in 12% of homes across the country, they are quickly becoming seen as another part of life, not some sort of massive failure.
Real Estate Bad Guys: A Day in the Life of a Foreclosure Specialist
November 30th, 2009 by adminThe view from the other side of the foreclosure door
Walking up to a person’s home to evict them is never an easy job. Even though those of us in the foreclosure field are not the ones who have made the bad choices, or caused the bad luck, leading to this terrible moment, we are still regarded as the bad guys. It is definitely one of those cases when just by being the messenger, you take the brunt of emotions the people you are dealing with are feeling. The typical day for a foreclosure specialist is filled with bargaining, tears, threats and sadness.
How it all begins
Here is how it all starts. Homeowners have defaulted on their mortgage, they are no longer able to make their monthly payments and haven’t for a while. The bank with the home loan contacts a foreclosure specialist in the area and hands over the case. The ball is in our court. We must now run an analysis on the property in question. Next, we contact the homeowner and give a choice of two options. The homeowner can take us up on a cash for key incentive, meaning they have an offer like two weeks to be out of the home in exchange for $1000. The alternative is that we will bring the local sheriff to assist with evicting the former owners.
I’ve experiences the gamut of the human race in this field. I’ve see a range of emotions pass the faces of those who are losing their homes. There are the ones who appear strong, who hold it in and regard you impassively as you deliver the spirit-breaking news. Yet, so many of those I face with the news will break before my eyes. I seen tears from men you wouldn’t think were capable of crying. One of my worst experiences was evicting a family during the Christmas season, while their Christmas tree was still up, lights and all. The worst can be the fact that you know there are children losing the only home they have ever known.
You Can’t Take it With You
On occasion, former homeowners refuse the cash for key offer, but take everything else. When we, the foreclosure specialists, check the house on the pre-set eviction day, we find that they have taken everything that is not bolted down: water heaters, light fixtures, stoves and refrigerators. To show even more anger they will knock holes in the walls and turn water on to warp the floors. There have even been cases where upset individuals left a gift of feces in the middle of the living room floor. The only thing I can do is photograph the evidence and send it to the bank.
Of course my first response is “OLD SHIT”
Foreclosure is unpleasant for all concerned. Even those of us who work in the industry are just trying to survive the economic downturn, like everyone else. The U.S. housing market has been on a downward spiral for quite a while and it has taken many casualties with it. The only honest answer to this situation is education and participation by all. It is essential to focus on educating the home owning public, and especially minority homeowners and those who live in the inner city. This is what will ultimately make the most difference in our economy. Education is essential to turning around the lives of those otherwise destined to foreclosure. Participation of all parties; Real estate Brokers, lenders, mortgage brokers; non-profits, title companies, attorneys, escrows, many others in the business sector will move this issue on.
The real estate foreclosure specialist is not the bad guy, we are just working to feed our family.
