Thomas Elrod

It’s time to take another look at short sales

10-04-11

October 2011 Blog Post

It’s time to take another look at short sales

As recently as a few months ago, if you would have told a real estate agent who specialized in short sales that they’d be raving about a lender’s stellar service and rapid approval times—not to mention significant cash incentives for financially strapped homeowners for pursuing a short sale—you’d have gotten some strange looks.

That’s all changed. And it’s changed faster and to a greater extent than most real estate professionals ever could have imagined.

With a glut of bank-owned properties dragging down the recovery of the real estate market, as well as the national economy, major lenders are more eager than ever before to avoid foreclosure. So they’ve sharpened their focus on short sales. Big time.

The biggest lenders in the country have staffed up to ensure rapid processing of short sale applications. They’ve ponied up with cash incentives at closing for homeowners who pursue a short sale. And they’re proactively reaching out to Certified Distressed Property Expert agents(CDPE agents) and putting them in touch with delinquent borrowers.

This is big news and the media has not really caught onto it yet. What’s important for you to know is that whatever you’ve read or heard in the past about long lag times and frustrations with short sales is probably no longer the case.

As a member of the CDPEAdvanced community, I’m tapped into major lenders and on top of major developments affecting short sales and bank-owned properties. I invite you to visit my website ThomasHelpsHomeowners.com to learn more and feel free to contact me any time at (704) 608-9169 or Elrod@SweetHomeCarolinas.com if you or anyone you know is struggling with an unmanageable mortgage.

Respectfully,

3 Comments

Renewed trust for tough times

09-17-11

Thomas Elrod

September 2011

Renewed trust for tough times

Does it feel like trust is one of the major casualties of the economic meltdown of 2008 – followed by the “Great Recession,” the “Jobless Recovery” and now the threat of a “Double Dip Recession?”

Weren’t we assured that home values were destined to go up and up and up?

There have been lots of promises that help is on the way—and lots of warnings of scams and schemes that have only served to confuse the matter. So where’s a homeowner who’s underwater or overleveraged to turn?

Here’s the bottom line: the choices that homeowners make when they feel they are at the end of their rope will have ramifications for years to come on their ability to qualify for credit, their job prospects, their security clearance and their overall finances. When a family’s financial trajectory is rapidly heading in a negative direction, there’s no substitute for the helping hand of a knowledgeable expert who has the integrity, the experience and the training to reverse the course—someone who is tapped into regulatory initiatives and can separate fact from fiction.

It is my mission to serve as a credible source of information and perspective to homeowners who have found themselves in a tough situation and need help sorting through their options. That’s why I sought out the Certified Distressed Property (CDPE) designation—the most renowned and recognized credential in the distressed property field, and it’s why I continue to stay on top of regulatory and industry developments that impact options available to homeowners who are struggling with their current financial situations.

My message to homeowners who do not know where to turn: there is hope. Foreclosure is not inevitable and neither the government nor your bank wants to see that happen. No one expected to find themselves on the brink of foreclosure, but I have worked with countless clients who have managed to turn their financial trajectory around and get on a path of financial recovery.

It CAN be done! And it would be my privilege to help.

Respectfully,

Thomas Elrod, SFR, ABR, CDPE
Broker/Realtor®
Licensed in NC/SC
mobile:(704)608-9169
e-fax: (704)909-3893
3430Toringdon Way,Suite 101
Charlotte, N.C. 28277
email: Elrod@SweetHomeCarolinas.com
Elrod properties SweetHomeCarolinas.com
short sale alternative website ThomasHelpsHomeowners.com
ONLY THE SUNSET COVERS THE CAROLINAS BETTER

2 Comments

Missing Mortgage Payments? It’s Not Too Late

08-27-11

Thomas Elrod

Wondering what a homeowner should expect when payments are missed? The most important thing to know is that no matter what stage of default a homeowner is in, there is almost always a way to avoid foreclosure. That being said, the quicker a homeowner does something about the situation, the less challenging it will be to resolve.

First, here’s what a distressed homeowner should expect to happen when payments are missed:

30 Days Late: The lender will attempt phone contact or send a notice in the mail.

60 Days Late: The lender will attempt to make contact by phone and follow up with another letter in the mail.

90 Days Late: The lender will send a letter demanding all past due amounts within 30 days and start the foreclosure process.

120 Days or More Late: The lender’s attorneys will take over and the homeowner will be responsible for their fees in addition to missed mortgage payments and the loan amount due.

Not late yet, but about to be?

Homeowners that are not late but foresee missing payments should communicate this to their lenders as soon as possible. In the past, many banks wouldn’t work with homeowners unless they were one or more payments behind. In light of the mortgage crisis, most lenders who would rather take a proactive stance and decrease their loan losses. They are more willing than ever to work with homeowners to avoid being late.

If you are visiting my website, you or someone you care about may miss mortgage payments in the near future. I can help navigate the process and put you back on a path to financial stability. Contact me today and alleviate the stress that comes with unaffordable mortgage payments.

0 Comments

At the end of your rope?

08-25-11

Thomas Elrod

August 2011 Blog Post Starter

Handling the Stress of an Unaffordable Mortgage Payment

Whenever I research the latest foreclosure and distressed property statistics, the sheer number of Americans facing the stress of losing their homes amazes me. It is my goal to help as many homeowners I can either stay in their homes or relieve the burden of their mortgages. Knowing that there are so many that need my help is a driving force for me to continue doing what I do.

In fact, I just released another report that I’ve made available on my website today. It explains the CDPE designation and lists 10 options that homeowners can take advantage of to relieve the stress that comes with owing their mortgage lenders more money than they can afford to pay.

The report also draws a contrast between short sales and foreclosures. Unfortunately, there’s a growing trend of “strategic defaulters” who think it’s smart to let their home go into foreclosure. As any one who follows this blog knows, there is nothing strategic about foreclosure; it’s one of the most long-lasting, negative financial challenges you can go through.

I’m excited about acting as a resource for more homeowners who have questions about what they should do. As always, if you know homeowners who may need my help, have them contact me immediately! Together, we can put them back on the path to financial stability.

Thomas Elrod, SFR, ABR, CDPE
Broker/Realtor(R)
Licensed in NC/SC
mobile:(704)608-9169
e-fax: (704)909-3893
3430Toringdon Way,Suite 101
Charlotte, N.C. 28277
email: Elrod@SweetHomeCarolinas.com
Elrod properties SweetHomeCarolinas.com
short sale alternative website ThomasHelpsHomeowners.com
ONLY THE SUNSET COVERS THE CAROLINAS BETTER

2 Comments

Thomas Elrod
Keller Williams Realty

Thomas Elrod: Real Estate Agent in Charlotte, NC

Office: (704) 909-3892

Mobile: (704) 608-9169

ONLY THE SUNSET COVERS THE CAROLINAS BETTER

About the Elrod Team and Thomas Elrod:

Thomas Elrod is one of the up and coming "Young Guns" in this complex real estate industry who is truly making a difference with every real estate transaction. A native Charlottean who leads a team of experienced individuals who know the market inside and out. This is not a part-time job for Thomas, he works everyday in his chosen career and truly loves what he does for a living. He comes from a finance, business, and marketing background and is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Short sales are his specialty and make the most sense for anyone considering foreclosure as an alternative. His team consist of a closing coordinator, marketing administrator, listing specialist, and a buyer specialist. The Elrod Team is licensed in NC/SC. ABR, SFR, CDPE Designations, Member Charlotte Regional REALTORS® Assoc,Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Relocation services provided for all 50 states. The Elrod Team is on staff at all times to support their clients needs and wants. Licensed in North and South Carolina let us show you why we are #1 in CUSTOMER SATISFACTION time and time again. Thank you in advance for the opportunity to earn your business.

Sincerely,

The Elrod Team

ACCREDITATIONS:

· National Association of Realtors® (NAR)

· Charlotte Regional Realtors® Association (CRRA)

· NC Association of Realtors® (NCAR)

. Carolinas Multiple Listings Service (CMLS)

. ABR designation (Accredited Buyer's Representation)

. SFR designation (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource)

. CDPE designation (Certified Distressed Property Expert)

Charities involved in:

MDA

Relay for Life

Susan G Komen

Realtor Care Day

Habitat for Humanity

Red Cross Blood Drive

Facebook: SweetHome CarolinasRealty

Tweet with us on Twitter: SweetHomeCarolinas

The Elrod Team specializes in preventing foreclosure from ending up on your credit report. We bring buyers, sellers, and banks together to negotiate the best deal for all parties. Banks do not want to foreclose on your property because on average a $200k home will cost the banks $50k to $75k dollars to go through the complete foreclosure process so its better for them to work with the short sale process. What we do is facilitate along with a short sale attorney the whole transaction from beginning to end. Our goal everytime is to prevent foreclosure because a foreclosure stays on your credit for a minimum of 10 years and can stay on your credit report forever. A short sale on average affects your credit 2 to 3 years. Give us a try you will not be disappointed. There are 25,000 out of roughly 1 million Realtors who have the CDPE designation and with this education this is how we are getting the job done! What do you have to lose give us a call.

What our clients say about us:

"Thomas Elrod was very professional, patient, and knowledgeable during the entire home-buying process. We requested Thomas' services in August 2010 to "Thomas Elrod was very professional, patient, and knowledgeable during the entire home-buying process. We requested Thomas' services in August 2010 to make an offer on a home. He helped us understand the different aspects of the buying process, such as earnest money, the home warranty, seller paying closing costs, etc. Though that offer fell through, we chose to continue searching. Thomas established a real estate search for our specific 'wants' in a home, and we received the email from him daily, updated with new properties. We used this search and other resources to find homes we wanted to view. We would narrow our 'likes' by first driving by a home, then we'd request Thomas' time to personally view those on our short list. He was patient and knowledgeable to bear with us through several viewings and possible offers. Once we found the one that was IT for us, Thomas helped us determine a fair offer, and once it was accepted, he helped us in the negotiations with the seller. He doesn't want to find you a home you like, he wants to find you the home you LOVE. His patience, understanding, and real estate knowledge helped make buying our first home a much less daunting task. "

Ben and Edithanne F._Charlotte N.C. Wed May 4

"Our experience with Thomas Elrod was excellent. He was very professional and proactive during our house-hunting making the experience very enjoyable and as smooth running as possible. Thomas is very knowledgeable and always gave informative and detailed answers to our questions while looking out for our best interests in the process. Thomas went above and beyond doing whatever he could to make sure we would be satisfied with our new home. I highly recommend Thomas Elrod and would not go to anyone else."

Paul and Melanie S._Concord N.C. Mon Feb 28

"Thomas is incredibly knowledgeable in his field and is also committed to the needs of his clients. I would highly recommend Thomas to any potential buyer or seller. He is imply one of the best around. Thanks."

Mark C._Charlotte N.C. Sun Feb 13

"With Thomas Elrod as your agent, you can be confident he is always looking out for your best interest and will not stop working until your 110% satisfied. He listened to my wife and I and helped us find the home that is a perfect fit. He also gave us great advice and assistance in finding tenants for our other place and was very knowledgeable about different lending options. Thomas Elrod's expertise in the different areas of real estate is up is ranked with the best of Charlotte. He is a local man who grew up in this city and knows where it's been and where its going. His professionalism, passion, and heart are greater than any other agent I've ever dealt with. Thomas will not stop, will not rest, will not tire, until you have found exactly what you are searching for and in the end you will find that you've made a great human connection with someone who treats you as well as his own family. I would highly recommend Thomas Elrod to anyone. "

John and Gaiane L._ Ft. Mill, S.C. Sat Feb 12

"If it weren't for Thomas and his team I would still be living in a 1 bedroom apartment paying $1000 dollars a month and in 20 years have nothing to show for it. I told him it would have to be a great deal for me to buy a home I was very happy where I was in life. He found a practically brand new ranch, 3br, 2ba, 2 car garage w a big yard for $30k less than market value! I was done hook, line, and sinker considering it was by far the least expensive home in the whole neighborhood. I'm not very savvy when it comes to real estate but even I knew it was a PHENOMENAL deal! Thanks Thomas and team! Best wishes, Customer for Life...Jill C."

Jill C._Fort Mill, S.C. Wed May 26

"We were looking for a property for our daughter and had looked everywhere. We aren't from Charlotte and were concerned about a good deal but safety for her. The Elrod Team found us both a GREAT DEAL and safety for our daughter. Thank you so much for knowing your game! Don and Mary"

Don and Mary R._ Charlotte, N.C. Sat Jul 10

"After having an agent that was negative about the market we stumbled across Thomas Elrod luckily. He took on our home with much success. He listed and had it UNDER CONTRACT in 6 weeks! We just closed last month. Thank you Thomas you truly are a real estate professional. Warm Regards, Tom and Trish"

Tom and Trish E._ Monroe, N.C. Wed Jun 23

Thomas Elrod

It’s time to take another look at short sales

Renewed trust for tough times

Missing Mortgage Payments? It’s Not Too Late

At the end of your rope?

Thomas ElrodKeller Williams Realty

Thomas Elrod
Keller Williams Realty