Cathy Harris

A home that is listed as a short sale is one that is being sold for less than the seller's current mortgage. Sellers must gain permission from their lender/bank to sell the property at a loss. The advantage to a buyer who is purchasing a short sale is they usually will purchase the home for 15-20% less than the market value. Each neighborhood is different. Obviously, there are many details involved in a short sale for both a seller and a buyer that I've not mentioned here!

Northern Colorado has many short sale opportunities. If a buyer is looking to purchase a home within 45-60 days, then contact me to find out who to locate those short sale homes that have already been approved by the bank.

The downside with a short sale is sometimes buyers must wait 6-8 months to gain the lender/bank acceptance to purchase the home. You need a qualified agent who knows what they are doing in order to help you determine if purchasing a short sale is right for you.

I help people buy homes in the Northern Colorado area, which includes Larimer and Weld counties. Call me if you have questions on a short sale home you've found. Or email me so I can email you short sale homes. Give me the high/low end of your budget and the towns you want to see. Simple as that!

Cathy Harris

cathyharris@remax.net www.CathyHarrisRealtor.com

Many of my clients are buying homes that are owned by the bank These bank-owned homes are on the MLS and the bank has clear title to them, so that when the sale occurs, you also get clear title (as you would with any home purchase). That way, you can write and contract and be in the house within 30-45 days.

The huge advantage of buying a bank owned property is that the bank will usually PAY THE BUYER'S CLOSING COSTS!

Closing costs are around 3% of the purchase price of a house. So if the house price was $160,000, then closing costs would run $4,800. When I write the contract to purchase the home, I specify that the bank will pay closing costs. I haven't had a bank refuse to pay closing costs yet! They want to get rid of these homes, which range from $40,0000 to over $900,000, and they discount the value.

Bank owned home purchases are a great way of having some equity in your purchase from the start, since they sell for less than the market value of the neighborhood.

Lately, many bank owned homes under $250,000 are getting two and three bidders. This means that the listing agent is asking each buyer for their "best and final" price. As an agent, I try to gauge the market and advise my clients on the best price to offer.

Ask for your own personal website today to see all of the bank owned homes in your price range. It takes me a few minutes to set up; all I need are the towns you want to monitor and the high/low price ranges.

Cathy Harris 970-691-0368 www.CathyHarrisRealtor.com

I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert!

Are you and your family thinking to move to the northern Colorado area of Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley or even as far west as Estes Park. If so, here are some great websites to check out the area with!

Fort Collins is the largest town in the area www.fcchamber.org/
Fortnet - Your town on the net http://www.fortnet.org/

Here is the Fort Collins school system: http://www.psd.k12.co.us/

What to see when you are here: www.ftcollins.com

Northern Colorado Business Journal is a great location to get a feel for business in this region: http://www.ncbr.com/

Here is their employment page: http://www.ncbr.com/search.asp?keyword=employment

Fort Collins Coloradoan Newspaper: http://www.coloradoan.com/

Loveland is just south from Fort Collins and here is their chamber website: http://www.loveland.org/

Loveland Reporter Hearald: http://www.reporterherald.com/

Windsor is a town I think you will really like: http://www.windsorchamber.net/

I've also included some other websites to give you the 'flavor' of the area

Budweiser Event Center and The Ranch www.beclive.com

The Lincoln Center www.fortcollinsarts.org and www.fcsymphony.org

Medical: www.pvhs.org

As a Relocation Specialist and professional realtor, I treat each client like family - they deserve individualized support and precise property analysis. I consult with my clients during all steps of the process to make sure I exceed their expectations. Cathy