Douglas & Elizabeth Lavery

Realtors who want to become specialized in a particular niche of real estate advance their skills by acquiring certain designations and certifications, beyond their normal licensing requirements. With foreclosures on the rise and the increasing demand for Realtors to be well educated and trained in various aspects of pre-foreclosure related topics, it is imperative that Realtors become proficient in these niche disciplines. Foreclosures continue to skyrocket and homeowners who may have fallen behind on their payments need to know where to turn to find out more about what options might be available when facing foreclosure.

On a traditional listing, a homeowner is usually hopeful to get the price they're asking. In a distressed situation, where the homeowner has a legitimate hardship, is behind on mortgage payments, and owes more on their mortgage than the property is worth, they typically must sell quickly to avoid foreclosure. Realtors must be properly prepared in knowing what to do if a situation like this arises. As a Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDRS), Realtors go through a comprehensive training program to learn how to assist in facilitating the decision-making process with a homeowner, to identify the best strategy for a homeowner who may not qualify for a loan modification or special forbearance. Some might say that it is the homeowner's responsibility to determine which option or alternative may be best for them, given their unique situation, but most homeowners truly don't know what to do in a situation like this.

Reports show that, while some homeowners qualify and are taking advantage of the pre-foreclosure options made available through the Making Home Affordable Program and other government initiatives, too many homeowners are still too afraid to call their lender and find out what other options might be available to them. In many cases, the first person a homeowner calls when they're in trouble with their mortgage is someone they probably know and trust, who many times is their Realtor. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the Realtor knows what to do, what to say, and how to determine the best strategy in moving forward. Getting the right pre-foreclosure education and training is essential to a Realtor's success in today's market.

Douglas Lavery is a licensed REALTOR® with Prudential Homesale Services Group, a member of the Lancaster County Association of REALTORS®, as well as both the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. Douglas Lavery is also a distinguished member of the National CDRS Agent Network, offered through America's Home Rescue, a company whose sole focus is helping homeowners in pre-foreclosure situations by providing education and training to the real estate professionals in their community.

Douglas Lavery provides a free consultation to homeowners who want to find out more about their options if facing foreclosure.

For information: www.LaveryTeam.com

Douglas Lavery Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification
Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales

Elizabethtown, PA, Feb 26, 2010 — Douglas Lavery with Prudential Homesale Services Group has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORS are required to take one core course and three Webinars. For more information about the SFR certification, visit www.REALTORSFR.org or call 1-877-510-7855.