Canton, OH

A Short Sale is another way to stop foreclosures. Be sure to read Stopping or Preventing Foreclosure in Canton, Perry, Plain, Jackson or Stark County Part 1 and Part two.

The first step is to create a short sale package to present to the bank. All packages must have the following items:

1. Since the Real Estate Agent will be talking to the bank for the homeowner, the agent will need an Authorization to Negotiate. This is a form that states that I as the Real Estate Agent will be negotiating on behalf of the homeowners. This form should have the homeowner's name,address, Account number, social security number, date of birth, and any other relevant information. This is faxed to the bank.

2. Hardship Letter - The homeowner needs to write a letter stating what happened that caused them to be in this situation. The situation could have been a loss of a job or a family member, illness, death, divorce etc.

3. The bank will also want two months of bank statement, W2, 1099, Tax Return. The point is to show the bank that you are unable to pay the mortgage.

4. Financial Report - How is the money spent that you do have.

5. Photos of the house - Exterior and interior.

6. New Comps of the neighborhood. What is active, pending and what has sold.

7. Repair estimates.

8. Any headlines or articles about Real Estate in the area.

If you are facing foreclosure, please email me at Dwilson@cutlerhomes.com or call me Deborah Wilson at 330-904-4545. I can help.

In Part One - Preventing and /or Stopping Foreclosure, I shared President Obama's Making Homes Affordable Program. A program designed to keep Americans in their homes. If you did not see it, you can read it here now.

In Part Two, we will focus on eight strategies that will prevent or stop foreclosure. Strategies you can use right now whether you live in Massillon, Plain, Perry, North Canton or Jackson Twp.

But what happened? Let's face it, we're all probably a couple of paychecks away from calamity if a hardship were to happen.

People fall into financial hardships in a number of different ways. Below are some of the reasons why this happens.

Health issues: This is one of the tragedies of not having health insurance or inadequate health insurance, combined with expensive medical bills, can drive homeowners into financial hardship very quickly and cause them to get behind on their house payments and or real estate taxes. This is especially true for the self employed.

Death: Death of a spouse or a loved one. The spouse or heirs cannot or will not pay the mortgage. Once the estate is settled, the bank is forced to take the property back.

Predatory lending or borrowing: Allowing people to borrow when they clearly demonstrated they didn't have enough income to handle increased payment amounts.

Divorce/Separation: A couple separates or divorces and the other person can not make the payments on their own for a prolonged period of time.

Job loss or transfer: Due to the economic climate or global competition may employees are their jobs or businesses. It could be due to downsizing, consolidation, mergers, or just outsourcing jobs overseas.

Two house payments: Having two house payments due to one of the properties not selling fast enough due to a declining market.

4 Ways to Avoid Foreclosures in Canton OH

1. Workout arrangement: (Forbearance) Most lenders will work with a homeowner to work a repayment plan that is affordable to them.

2. Spread out missed payments: (Repayment Plan) The lenders might let the homeowner resume monthly payment

after being behind for a few month, as long as they include an additional amount to make up the difference.include back payments and re-amortize the loan.

3. Changing the terms of the loan: (Loan Modification) If there is an adjustable rate mortgage, the lenders might freeze the current rate so homeowner can keep making current payments, or the lender might extend the term of the loan to reduce the payments.

4. Add back payments to the loan: (Refinance) If there is enough equity in the property and sellers meet the lending guidelines, the lender might increase the loan balance to

4 Ways to Stop Foreclosure for your Stark County home.

1. Reinstatment of Loan: The lender may consider giving the homeowner some additionaltime to bring payments current and pay lender's cost of filing for a foreclosure, to stop the process.

2. Sell the property. if there is enough equity in the property to pay off the mortgage and cover all expenses. Hire a Real Estate agent to market it aggressively. Incentives for buyers to buy it, and agents to sell it.

3. A short sale is a loss mitigation solution. A pre-foreclosure solution. A short sale is when what you owe is greater than the value of the property. It is called a short sale because the bank will be shorted the money it is owed on the mortgage.

A short sale is sold by the homeowner before a foreclosure takes place. Anyone two-three months behind in their mortgage payments is a candidate for a short sale. There are only two reasons why a owner would not be eligible for a short sale - The homeowner filed for bankruptcy or the house is already in foreclosure and the house is scheduled for auction.

4. Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure: Sometimes when the owner has had a hard time selling the property through a Realtor, ever on a Short Sale,the lender might allow them to deed the property back to the bank as long as there are no other liens against the property. This way the bank doesn't run up more legal and holding cost.

In Part Three, we will focus on the Short Sale process.

I can't believe I was last blogging as we approached the welcoming of Spring 2009. The winter chill was still in the air, as I remember. Where does the time go? Do you often find yourself asking that ??

I can say with great enthusiasm that I have had no time to blog as I have been busy doing Real Estate. What a great spring and summer market it has been! Home Buyers are purchasing to take advantage of the favorable interest rates and prices that favor them. Home Sellers are able to take advantage of the fact that buyers are back out in abundance. First Time Home Buyer's are able to take advantage of the government stimulus tax credit of up to $8,000. If you are considering a home purchase-run don't walk to the nearest REALTOR. The program is due to expire very soon. You must close on your home purchase by the end of Nov. '09, to qualify. If you are in the Canton, Ohio area-CALL ME and we will get you home shopping immediately. I will guide you from beginning to end.

We are quickly "falling" into a new season. The summer wind up is in full swing. The retail stores are now busy with back to school shoppers. The Holiday season is nearing,as well. Whether you have yet to start your family or now have small children-give your family the roots they deserve. Home ownership is the emotional stability we all crave as the seasons change and as life transitions through the years. It is what our parents provided for us. From a business point of view-it is now time to invest in yourself and your family...and no longer secure your landlords financial stability. Why Rent? This is the "right time" you have spoke of.

Opportunity is knocking-do not waste another moment. Time is not on your side, if you want to get your share of the stimulus money for First Time Home Buyers.

HOME IS A HEART FULL OF LOVING MEMORIES :)

For the price of Rent, you could own a great home like this in Stark County, Ohio. I helped my Buyer Client locate this adorable home. She had a wishlist and we toured homes until we found just the right one. I can assist you, too! Call Pam @ DeHOFF REALTORS 330.936.3480

Start your home search at www.officialstarkcountyhomes.info

In the past six months, there were 104 foreclosed bank owned homes sold throughout Stark County. Currently there are 57 bank owned homes for sale. As a homeowner in Canton, Plain, Perry, Jackson, North Canton or Massillon, you don't have to be in this list, another statistic. There are actions you can take, things you can do to prevent foreclosure.

President Obama's administration has introduced Making Homes Affordable, a plan to help homeowners stay in their homes and or reduce their monthly mortgage payments to a more affordable level.

There are two part to the program:

The Home Affordable Refinance Program is available to those with a solid payment history on an existing loan owned by or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This is available to those who would be unable to refinance from an adjustable rate mortgage into a more stable 30 year fixed mortgage. Normally these borrowers would be unable to refinance because their homes have lost value, pushing their current loan to value ratio above 80%.

The Home Affordable Modification program - doesn't reduce the principal but makes it easier to repay what's owed by reducing the interest rate and stretching the length of the original loan.

Eligibility:

1. Loan must have originated on or before Jan 1, 2009.

2. Must be a First Lien loan, owner occupied property with an unpaid principal balance of up to $729,750. Higher limits are available for owner occupied properties with 2-4 units.

3. Fully documented income, two most recent pay stubs, most recent tax return, and a letter of financial hardship.

4. No investor owned, vacant, or condemned properties.

5. Loans can be modified only once.

Time is of the Essence. Contact your lender as soon as possible. Homeowners can also contact a free local HUD approved housing counselor. HUD approved counselors can help homeowners understand the law, their options, help organize their finances and may also represent them in negotiations with lenders.

Be aware of scams that promise to stop foreclosure if you sign the deed over to them.

Deborah Wilson helps Buyers and Sellers in Canton, Plain, Perry, Jackson, North Canton, Massillon and Stark County. For more informaton please email me at dwilson @cutlerhomes.com or call me at 330-491-2775.

Charming 4 bedroom bungalow on a beautiful private wooded lot. Open floor plan, large updated hickory kitchen with island. Fireplace in living room. Bath with Jacuzzi tub. Large master bedroom with his/her closet. Lower level is perfect for entertaining. Many updates to include: furnace, windows, insulation, deck and carpet. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/ohio-buy-single-family-home-11648038.html