According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, approximately 1 out of 10 homes are either delinquent or in foreclosure. Unfortunately, 7 out of 10 homeowners in foreclosure proceed without the assistance or advice of a real estate professional or mortgage representative. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation or steering towards it, realize you have options.
Visit my Business Directory to find local lenders who can help you explore your options.
Pamela is a Certified Distressed Property Expert!
A Certified Distressed Property Expert® is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry, and the foreclosure avoidance options available to homeowners. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market, specifically short sales. (source: Distressed Proprty Insitute, LLC)
Pamela is a Certified Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource!
Up to date information on Home Retention
| Issue | Foreclosure | Successful Short Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Future Fannie Mae Loan Primary Residence |
A homeowner who loses a home to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for a period of 5 years. | A homeowner who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage after only 2 years. |
| Future Fannie Mae Loan Non Primary |
An investor who allows a property to go to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed investment mortgage for a period of 7 years. | An investor who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed investment mortgage after only 2 years. |
| Future Loan with any Mortgage Company | On any future 1003 application, a prospective borrower will have to answer YES to question C in Section VIII of the standard 1003 that asks, “Have you had property foreclosed upon or given title or deed in lieu thereof in the last 7 years?” This will affect future rates. | There is no similar declaration or question regarding a short sale. |
| Credit Score | Score may be lowered anywhere from 250 to more than 300 points. Typically, this will affect a score for more than 3 years. | Only late payments on a mortgage will show and an after sale mortgage will be reported as paid or negotiated. This will lower the score as little as 50 points if all other payments are being made. A short sale’s effect can be as brief as 12 to 18 months. |
| Credit History | Foreclosure will remain as a public record on a person’s credit history for at least 10 years. | A short sale is not reported on credit history. There is no specific reporting item for a “short sale.” The loan is typically reported “paid in full, settled.” |
| Security Clearance | Foreclosure is the most challenging issue against a security clearance outside of a conviction of a serious misdemeanor or felony. If a client has a foreclosure and is a police officer, in the military, in the CIA or any other position that requires a security clearance, the clearance will be revoked and the position will be terminated. | A short sale on its own does not challenge most security clearances. |
Source: Buffini & Company, Options for Homeowners to Avoid Foreclosure