Tasha Moss

If a homeowner is struggling financially or feels desperate because their mortgage balance exceeds current market value, abandoning their home is actually the last thing they should do. Contrary to popular belief, lenders do not want to foreclose on their property. I know of homeowners who haven't made a mortgage payment in over a year who are still in their homes.

Many people believe that if they miss a mortgage payment the bank will foreclose and this means that they and their belongings will be thrown out into the street. This is just not true. Banks have procedures they must follow and this takes some time. Rather than moving out of their home while wading through the paperwork and procedures involved and taking on another housing expense in the form of rent and moving costs, financially distressed homeowners are far better to remain in their homes, even if they are unable to make their scheduled mortgage payments.

Additionally, the only way for the market to stabilize is to stop foreclosures and the further value declines they create in our neighborhoods. A very viable option available to quite a few people is a short sale. A short sale is when a bank has agreed to accept a loan payoff which is "short" of the full balance. Some lenders have actually taken a proactive approach to the challenging real estate market and have streamlined their short sale procedures to the point where approval can be obtained in as little as 10 days! More lenders are watching these pilot programs, with the goal of adopting similar procedures in the coming months.

There are many Realtors who have been extensively trained in dealing with banks and negotiating short sales. If you or someone you know is having difficulty making their payments or finds their loan balance is so much larger than their home's current market value find a knowledgeable Real Estate agent to work with. Interview Realtors to find someone who has been extensively trained in this specialty, doesn't charge a fee up front, and who has a track record of successfully closing short sales. Short sales have been called "the brain surgery of real estate" and while I would seek a family doctor for treatment of the flu, I would seek out a skilled brain surgeon with a successful track record if I needed that type of treatment.

For questions about short sales or the Omaha area real estate market in general please contact us at the Omaha Real Estate Group at 402.345.4134. We are the Experts!

Typically when someone is ready to sell their home they contact a real estate agent to guide them through the process and market their home. The biggest part of it for them is they want someone looking after their best interests.

As a home buyer wouldn't you want the same? Especially if you are a first time buyer, there are so many things about the process that you are not aware of or do not have access to the way a Realtor does. Using a buyer's agent, means the agent is working with your best interests in mind. A buyer's agent will work to negotiate the best price, ensure the property is inspected, oversee the loan process and make sure you have the representation you need. Things you tell a buyer's agent remain confidential.

It might seem like using a buyer's agent means you are going to pay more -- but that's not the case. Although there are situations where agents charge a flat fee for the service ($150-$300), in most situations they are simply working for the same commission that is paid by the seller and split it with the seller's listing agent. This money would be paid to the sellers agent regardless of a buyers agent being involved or not so there is no money savings to a buyer not to use an agent.

Additionally, I have been to a list a property many a time when the seller bought directly from the owner without representation thinking they were getting a "better deal" and they had ended up paying more for the home than it was worth. As a buyer you may see a home that looks nicer than the other homes you have looked at in the price range but you do not know how to figure in the area, the style of home and what the difference is for above and below grade sq footage.

Simply put use a buyers agent to help you find your next home.

Text messaging is changing the way America communicates. American send 4.1 billion text messages a day according to a report put out just this October. That is equal to 14 texts per day per person in the United States. Texting represents a new revolution in business communications. It is information instantly delivered to customers, no matter where they are.

Just this week Prudential Ambassador in Omaha Nebraska kicked off a company- wide text marketing platform. This is a new state of the art way for buyers to get detailed info on all listings while they are out scoping the neighborhoods. Our buyers will be able to access information on all listings in the Omaha area, not just Prudential listings, to obtain full details including price, size and multiple photos. As you drive around and see a home you are interested in getting information on you would just text the address and the full details will be immediately sent back to you via text.

If you are interesting in utilizing this system please email or text me your cell # and any cell # in your household that would like to utilize the system. I will set you up at no charge and email you back all of the instructions. The process is a simple way for you easily access the information you are looking for in your home search.

We are super excited to be the first in the Omaha area to launch this new and innovative real estate marketing service to our clients.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!