Jim and Billie Harsch

For the fourth month in a row, Park City TV has featured an interview with Jim and Billie Harsch of Mountain Town Realty Group. This months topic was Foreclosure vs Short Sale. Here is the link to the YouTube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPyyVx_AioI

Hope the information is helpful!

Today, 1 out every 10 homeowners in America is behind on mortgage payments. Now, more than ever, it’s important to identify your options. Foreclosure can be avoided, your credit can be saved, and your financial future can be salvaged.

Jim and Billie Harsch of Mountain Town Realty Group in Park City, UT have launched a new website, http://www.avoidforeclosuresinparkcity.com to help homeowners understand the possible solutions to foreclosure as well as providing a detailed explanation of short sales, which may be the best course of action for some homeowners.

The site offers a FREE report to explain your options and help you decide on a course of action. The site also includes a new video every month that addresses the latest concerns regarding distressed sales. Jim and Billie can also refer you to a qualified Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) in your area that is fully trained to assist in this challenging market.

Jim Harsch, Principal Broker/Owner of Mountain Town Realty Group in Park City, UT has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Park City area, there are a number homes in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune. “This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Harsch. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Jim Harsch with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said. The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

If you need assistance, would like additional information or to find a certified distressed Realtor in your area, please contact Jim at http://www.unlockparkcity.com or call 435-615-6637.

I was fortunate enough to play golf on the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Red Ledges in Heber City the other day. In my opinion, it is the most spectacular new golf course in the area. The pictures on their website http://www.redledges.com do not truly reflect the natural beauty of this mountain golf course which features outstanding views of Timpanogas, Deer Creek, and the surrounding valleys and mountains.. In the next couple of years it will certainly rival the #1 status of Glenwild, and the other courses at Promontory and Tuhaye.

Red Ledges is set-up with four tee boxes, and offers a challenge for golfers of all levels. The course is in excellent condition, considering it has been only open a month. The clubhouse and other amenities will be started in the near future, but it is now just a great course on which to play.

There are some great deals on homesite lots and their cottage products, with special developer incentives including a Mercedes Benz with each purchase. I have a membership and would be happy to show you the course. For more information on Red Ledges or any Park City Homes for Sale, please contact Jim Harsch at http://www.unlockparkcity.com .

Even with the current difficult financial situation, Park City’s most expensive single family home listing ever, was sold this week. The 33,000 square foot home, also known as the Lodge at Peak Five, is in the heart of The Canyons Resort, within the Colony at White Pine Canyon. Originally listed for $28M and recently reduced to $23.8M, the property closed this week for an undisclosed sales price. The home featured the latest in architecture, design, decoration and construction with 14 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, 8 fireplaces, room for 18 cars in the 12,500 sq. ft. underground heated garage, and was sited on over 5 acres with prime ski-in/ski-out access.

The Park City Luxury Home market (over $3 m) is stronger through July 2009 than the same period in 2008, with the focus on the Deer Valley area.

For information on other luxury homes in the area, Jim is a Guild member with the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and Jim and Billie do service the Luxury Home Market in Park City. For more information, contact them at http://www.unlockparkcity.com