Jerry LaRose, Realtor, Short Sale Expert Orlando, Florida Real Estate Expert

1. Your credit score may fall 100 points or more.

2. You may be asked to sign a note or take a new loan for the amount of the short fall.

3. The lender may get a judgement against you for the amount of the short fall.

4. You may have to pay income taxes on the amount of the shortfall - it could be taxed as income to you.

5. Understand that you will have to prove that you cannot pay. Similar to how you qualified for the loan, but now you have to prove that you cannot afford this loan. What's changed/

6. Understand that big discrepancies or a big gap between your income/assets used to obtain the loan may indicate mortgage fraud, unless employment or expense circumstances have drastically changed.

7.You will need to get in writing from the lender that they will approve your contract for a lower payoff.

8. Some lenders won't talk to you until you're behind in payments on your mortgage.

9. Make sure you and your realtor disclose everything to the buyers on the front end.

10. Contract must contain ad addendum stating that the sale is contingent upon approval by the seller's lender of a reduced loan payoff.

11. Property should be sold "AS-IS" to make it as simple as possible for the lender.

12. The home should be listed for sale close to market value at first and the price reduced over several weeks, showing the lender that you tried to sell higher and no one bit on the higher price.

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Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of Real Estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit www.JerrySellsOrlando.com for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

P.S. If you are listing your home as a short sale in Orange County Florida and Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, or Ocoee Florida make sure you hire an agent who knows how to do short sales and has the experience to get the job done. We are doing successful short sale packages. Call us at 407-580-7011 to find out more about Orange County Short Sales and Orlando Area Short Sales.

Too many agents are afraid to take on short sales, as they should be. They've heard that these short sales in Orlando are too complicated, the lenders are uncooperative (and sometimes hostile), or the property gets foreclosed on before they find a buyer. Any of these can happen, but mostly to agents who are unaware of how to successfully negotiate and close a short sale.

Let me tell you, if it was that easy, every agent in Florida would be rolling in cash by now.

If you are considering doing a short sale on your property give me a call and we can discuss the in's and out's of doing a successful short sale.

Our Services include:

· Presenting a solution to the lender and negotiating favorable terms

· Allowing the borrower and her/his family to get a fresh start

· Expediting the process with a fast resolution.

Our success rate is among the highest in Orlando. Many of our services are FREE OF CHARGE to the borrower and our consultation services are always FREE.

You need a Short Sale Specialist and now you've found one. Call me today for a Free Consultation at 407-580-7011

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Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of Real Estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit www.JerrySellsOrlando.com for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

P.S. If you are listing your home as a short sale in Orange County Florida and Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, or Ocoee Florida make sure you hire an agent who knows how to do short sales and has the experience to get the job done. We are doing successful short sale packages. Call us at 407-580-7011 to find out more about Orange County Short Sales and Orlando Area Short Sales.

Is there a difference between a Mortgage Pre-Qualification letter and a Mortgage Pre-Approval letter?

The reality is that most all buyers need to obtain a mortgage loan to purchase a home. Since mortgage approval is such an integral aspect of a home purchase, wouldn't it make sense that REALTORS® have a better understanding of the mortgage pre-approval process, since so few buyers are able to buy a home and pay cash.

These terms appear to be similar, but can be quite different. Not only do they cause confusion for home buyers, there seems to be many interpretations from those in the real estate and mortgage industry as well.

Speaking as a REALTOR®, the difference is in documentation and verification. In other words, is the buyer providing copies of income paystubs and bank account statements to the Mortgage Lender or is the Mortgage Lender simply relying on verbal information provided by the buyer? More often than not, the difference between the two terms is that one is issued without any verification of information and the other starts with the buyer providing written documentation of all information provided. While neither is a considered to be a mortgage commitment, nor a written mortgage guarantee, obtaining a Mortgage Pre-Approval letter is more preferred than obtaining a Mortgage Pre-Qualification letter.

Mortgage Pre-Qualification is generally a process where a buyer contacts a Mortgage Lender/Mortgage Representative, often on the telephone, who then asks the buyer to provide some information. The information requested involves a current address and how long living there, a social security number and permission to order a credit report, annual income and hopefully the amount of down payment.

After the credit check is ordered and received by the Mortgage Lender, the Mortgage Rep then estimates the amount of mortgage the buyer can afford and sends (via fax or email) a letter to the buyer with the title Congratulations, You Are Pre-Qualified, for a mortgage loan in the amount of $__ or Congratulations, You Are Pre-Qualified, for a mortgage loan in the amount of $__ and a purchase price of $__. This is usually done within a half hour or so of the initial phone call, and at best can be described as an estimate of potential mortgage ability and purchasing power, and not Mortgage Pre-Approval.

The pre-qualification letter always includes varying type disclaimer information, such as: Subject to a formal mortgage application and payment of an application fee, subject to verification of employment, subject to verification of assets, subject to credit review, subject to mortgage underwriting guidelines, interest rate to be the prevailing rate of interest for the mortgage type applied for, among many other "subject to"-like statements. In other words, we will give you a mortgage when we see that the information you provided is correct and meets certain qualifying standards.

What problems could arise when a formal mortgage application is submitted by a buyer after they've obtained a Mortgage Pre-Qualification letter like that? The mortgage application process involves somewhat standard underwriting criteria and guidelines for each particular type mortgage, whether the mortgage is VA, FHA or Conventional. The varying underwriting criteria involves guidelines, whether Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Lenders specific qualifying criteria, for verification of income, income qualifying ratios, verification of down payment, cash reserves after closing, credit check scores and work history, among others.

Yes, it is possible that the buyer provided correct information, and will obtain a mortgage commitment when a mortgage application is submitted. However, there are many circumstances where even though the information verbally provided is accurate, certain other details are not mentioned which may have a negative impact on the mortgage approval process. Details like income being received off the books, down payment being borrowed (not gifted from a family member), and savings for the down payment but no other assets for closing costs or inconsistency in work history, to name just a few situations that can cause problems in obtaining mortgage approval.

While Pre-Qualification letters like the previous example are common, not all Mortgage Lenders provide them in that manner. Many Mortgage Lenders require a more thorough process in providing Mortgage Pre-Approval. In addition to obtaining a credit report, many Lenders require the buyer to provide proof of two years of work history, pay-stubs or income tax forms, copies of bank statements for source of funds verification and copies of charge card statements.

When the documentation is provided, it is then submitted to the Mortgage Underwriter for review and approval. The Mortgage Pre-Approval letter is worded something like this: Congratulations, You Are Pre-Approved for a mortgage loan in the amount of $__ and a purchase price of $__ subject to a Contract of Sale and a satisfactory Bank Appraisal on the home being purchased. While more time consuming than the previous pre-qualification practice discussed above, it is more thorough and more reliable, shortens the formal mortgage application and approval process and provides the ability for a fast closing if one is desired.

Consider the advantages of this type Mortgage Pre-Approval. First of all, the buyer and REALTOR will have confidence in a price range and confidence in obtaining mortgage approval. In submitting offers, sellers will know they have a serious buyer who has taken the time to arrange for mortgage financing first. And just as important, the buyer will be more relaxed in spending money to hire an Attorney for contract review, providing the earnest money deposit, hiring a home inspector to perform the home inspection, termite inspection, radon inspection plus any other required inspections and paying for the mortgage application and appraisal fee. Why? They are concentrating on the home they have purchased, and not worrying about the mortgage approval process.

Needless to say, I can't even count the number of real estate transactions I've noticed fall apart after a buyer has paid all those fees for the home they hoped to purchase, only to find out they were not able to obtain mortgage approval, even with a Pre-Qualification letter. These are the financial ramifications for a buyer, but what about the ramifications for the others involved in a lost real estate transaction, the selling agent, the listing agent and the seller. Consider the time, energy, emotional strains and on and on. Real estate is a people business, a service business. Not much good can occur when a real estate transaction is cancelled for mortgage denial, especially when it occurs a month or so after contract acceptance.

Provide better service to your buyer clients, review their Mortgage Pre-Qualification letter with them, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Provide better service to your seller clients, read the Mortgage Pre-Qualification letter the selling agent is providing at the contract presentation, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Better yet is require a Pre-Approval letter when you receive an offer for your seller. Believe me in this market today it is very difficult to obtain a mortgage, so ask for the pre-approval up front.

About the author:

Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011

(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.)

"2008-the Best Year to Buy a Home in 35 Years!"

 In April of 1973, mortgage rates were about the same as they are today. Since that time, we have only had mortgage rates this low during 2001 and 2002, the height of the seller's markets where there was little inventory. In the last two major buyer's markets, one in the early 1980s and the other in the early 1990s, the rates were much higher. In 1978, interest rates were at 9.75 percent, en route to 18 to 21 percent in 1980. In the early 1990s, the rates were hovering in the 11 to 12 percent range. Thus, today's buyer's market, with exceptionally low mortgage rates plus a substantial supply of inventory, is the best time in decades to purchase.

About the author: 

Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs.  Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.

Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011

(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.)

It's no secret... KITCHENS SELL HOUSES. The kitchen is one of the most, if not THE most, popular rooms in a home... at least for most people. When I take buyers out to look at homes, the first place they tend to focus on is the kitchen. The kitchen is a central part of every home and buyers want to feel like the kitchen will make them "feel good."

If you're selling your home, I recommend placing great emphasis on your kitchen. While a newly-remodeled kitchen with tile floors, granite counters, cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances is sure to impress anyone, many sellers can't afford to remodel their kitchen just to sell a home. So, if you don't have that "chef's kitchen" then work with what you have. ANY kitchen can look great.

Here are some tips that will help any kitchen show well:

• Clean, clean, clean! Make sure your kitchen sparkles!
• Turn on the lights and open the blinds (light makes the kitchen look larger and look its best)
• Clear off the counters of most "stuff" - some small appliances or a knife block, for example, are OK to leave on the counter (clear the clutter)
• Put the dishes in the dishwasher (or at least out of the sink)
• Put some fresh flowers on the counter
• Remove the magnets from the refrigerator (again, get rid of the clutter)
• Put the boxes of food away (nothing on top of the frig or on the counters)
• Set the table (a few nice place settings really creates a nice atmosphere)