Melanie Ross Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Benicia Short Sales, will my home sell? This question is often asked when we talk to homeowners who are underwater. Each situation is different but for the most part, short sales can be successful.

They automatically think because their home mortgage is more than what it can sell for, the home will not sell. This is not true. As a Benicia Short Sale Agent, it never fails to amaze me that this question comes up every time.

There is so much saturation of information, it is brain overloading to most people. Their friends, family, co-workers, media are the fountain of information, however is it correct information?

My business partner and I made a business decision 4 years ago to learn all we could about short sales and that learning never stops. When others shunned us, when buyers said no way, when sellers cried for our help, we made it happen.

Fours years later in 2012, everybody (and agents) is a short sale guru or at least they think they are. Short sales are not easy but they can be successful. A successful Benicia Short Sale Agent knows the local real estate market, markets your home to get the highest price, is fully knowledgeable and experienced in getting the short sale approved, is a counselor, negotiator, pit bull, time manager, and hand holding communicator. They are the glue that holds the short sale all together to get the home sold.

If you are considering selling your home for less that what you owe, you owe to yourself and your future to work with someone who knows Benicia Short Sales, in addition we always advise you to talk to your CPA and an attorney. As Short Sale Agents, what we do best is real estate and get your home sold, the CPA can help with tax questions and the attorney with legal advice.

Benicia Short Sales-Will my home sell? It is worth it to call and find out!

Benicia CA homes for sale have dropped by 43% since October. We have been lamenting about the scarity of homes to sell as the buyers are out it in full force since the New Year has started.

This statistic came up as I was updating my website for Benicia CA and Vallejo CA homes for sale and sold numbers. In October of 2011 there were 86 homes for sale in Benicia. AS of today, 2-12-12, there are only 47 homes for sale.

Folks..... that is not a lot of inventory...... I have not seen this low of inventory since the height of the market in 2005.

What can that mean to those sellers sitting on the fence about selling their home? If you want a good market price with multiple offers, now is the time.

It does not matter if you are underwater with your mortgage or a conventional seller, your home will sell! For those distressed sellers, don't be afraid to seek information about selling your home "short" from an experienced Benicia Short Sale Agent.

Call or email me if you want more information about what is going on in Benicia Real Estate and how much your home may be worth.

Short Sale Sharks, they are circling and moving in for the kill. I often get calls from people who just want to ask questions about short sales. They are trying to figure out what is best for them. My business partner and my mantra is be educated, be informed, and be engagaed. We never try to push someone into selling their home short.

But there are Short Sale Sharks circling. I hear about these stories but this past week I got actual proof. A person we have been chatting with for over a month about short sales and modifications called and told me this story.

Short Sale Shark contacted the homeowner, probably because he saw a notice of trustee sale coming up soon and the home is in an area hot for investors. Mr. Shark informed the owner, I can buy your house now, which is better than me buying it on the courthouse steps, and then you can turn around and live there. He even mentioned some cash for keys. The owner would love to stay in his home and in fact is in the process of working out a loan modification. The bank had contacted him several weeks ago and the owner was providing paperwork.

Mr Shark sure knows how to say the phrases most anybody would love to hear...stay in my home? cash for keys like $10,000? The part Mr Shark does not realize is, this owner is savvy, savvy enough to call me and rehash the story. He also agreed to get some paperwork from Mr Shark, which he promptly passed on to me.

What a fine line to take.....Mr Shark sent a listing agreement to sell the owners house for 50 cents on the dollar (current market value) and at the same time a purchase agreement from Mr Shark and another Mr Shark for even less than the listing amount, a authorization letter that would allow Mr Shark to contact the owners bank and negotiate on his behalf for the short sale, and a short sale bank application. There were no agency disclosures, no short sale information advisory, nothing, nada, zero, zilch to even explain a short sale, nothing about when considering a short sale, a homeowner should talk with an attorney and your tax professional. Mr and Mr Sharks's fins were all in this deal.

The bank involved specifically has an arms length affidavit which clearly spells out there might be an issue with this situation and the owner CANNOT live in the house. Period. I sent the arms length form to the owner so he could see it himself.

This is one owner who survived the Short Sale Shark Attack. The sad part is how many unsuspecting homeowners are getting this same information? IF it is too good to be true, then there may be something wrong.

Homeowners, be informed, be educated, take it a step at a time and be in control of your future. Don't let a Short Sale Shark Attack happen to you!

Benicia's Holiday Market is set for Saturday Dec 10th from 10am to 3pm. Located at the foot of First Street between B and D street, this annual event has something for everyone. Even though our Farmer's Market is over for the winter, this is the last chance to pick up some gourmet gifts, flowers, and handicrafts.

Benicia's Annual Christmas Parade is also taking place that day starting at 10am at D Street and traveling up first to H Street. Make it an all day event by watching the parade and shopping at the Holiday Market.

Benicia is a great place to visit!

Benicia's Annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday December 10th. This is the 17th year for this local event that thousands turn out to watch. The parade will start at First and D St and ends at H street. First street will be shut down to local traffic.

There are local bands, car clubs, service clubs, dancers, floats, and of course Santa will be there too. Bring a chair and grab a seat along First Street. Come early and get a bite to eat at the First Street Cafe or Sailor Jack's. The parade starts at 10AM.

So far the weather report shows no rain. After the parade, stroll the Holiday Market from 10am to 3PM located on First street between B and D Street.