Justice Louis Brandeis is known for saying, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant”—a statement that refers to the benefits of openness, transparency, and the quest for knowledge. There is no place where this saying is more important than in the field of real estate in 2011. In the wild and wacky distressed property market, rules, policies, […]
Short Sale Can Close!
When I go to a short sale listing appointment for Escondido, I ask the seller (the borrower) to prepare all of the documentation required by the banks. Some sellers hem and haw, and have trouble pulling everything together for your appointment. They say that they will send the missing documentation through e-mail or via fax […]
Is Working Short Sales in Your DNA?
You’ve heard the old saying, “When they made you, they broke the mold.” I’m pretty certain that it refers to the unique and singular characteristics of the individual. In relation to short sales, I think that it takes a pretty unique person (a pretty specific mold) to be able to manage the short sale from […]
Reviewing Short Sale Offers: What Ever Happened to Highest and Best?
Cindy Jones of Woodbridge, Virginia wrote a featured blog post entitled Highest and Best Are Not Synonymous. The title of the post says it all—the highest offer is not always the best offer. While this has always been true, in the distressed property market it is vital for listing agents (and selling agents) to consider […]
Short Sales: Welcome to the Wacky Shack
Yesterday was just another day in the wacky world of short sales, and I thought that I’d share part of that day with you. Our office was contacted earlier this week by a listing agent who had already been working for several months on a short sale. Apparently (over the course of 2-3 months), this […]
Short Sale Negotiations Are Like Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes
The other day the msn.com home page featured a dark chocolate bacon cupcake recipe. I saw the feature and did a double-take. What the heck is this? What is it gonna taste like? Breakfast and dessert all in one? I cannot for the life of me imagine what this thing is going to taste like […]
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 7 / OMG! This Is Taking too Long
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 7 / OMG! This Is Taking too Long If you have been reading my previous posts on mastering the short sale transaction, you are probably well-equipped to take a short sale listing, collect all of the pertinent documentation, receive an offer, and submit the short sale package to the […]
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 6 / Receiving an Offer
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 6 / Receiving an Offer If you have been reading my previous posts on mastering the short sale transaction, you are probably well-equipped to take a short sale listing and now have your listing on the MLS. Post 5 reviewed what should occur after the listing appointment. Post 6 […]
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 5 / After the Listing Appointment What Should I Do Next?
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 5 / After the Listing Appointment What Should I Do Next? If you have been reading my previous posts on mastering the short sale transaction, you are probably well-equipped to take a short sale listing. Post 4 reviewed what should be collected at the listing appointment. Post 5 will […]
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 1
Master the Short Sale Transaction: Post 1 This is the first in a multi-part series on mastering the art of the short sale transaction. Everyone constantly complains that short sales are painfully slow, exceedingly annoying, and not worth the commission check. And, I would have to say that I have experienced all of those emotions. […]