The Market Series

It wasn’t the first time that Katherine Scheri ruined a real estate agent’s day with a low property appraisal.
Scheri, a real estate appraiser, had sized up a three-bedroom, two-bath house in Santa Ana, Calif., for $30,000 less than what the buyers offered to pay. A typical deal-killer for a seller.
The agent urged the lender to [...]

Actually, that used to be the American dream. What happened in the last few years, is that folks started looking at owning homes more as an investment and a return on their money.
Experts now believe you should start by looking at a home as the place where you live, as opposed to the investment that [...]

1  – Reinstatement of the loan when brought current
2  – Forbearance or re-payment plan
3  – Sell the property
4  – Rent the property
5  – Refinance
6  – Mortgage Modification
7  – Short Refinance
8  - Deed in lieu of foreclosure
9  – Bankruptcy
10 – Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
11 [...]

Chipping and peeling paint on homes built before 1978.
Roof must have 2 year remaining useful life.
Proper drainage away from foundation.
A/C must work, hot water heater must work.
Toilets must flush and all plumbing fixtures work WITHOUT leaking -drains especially.
Must have flooring.
Must have range/oven – often a lender requirement.
All utilities must be on. If not it will be a [...]

Jonathan J. Cooper – Jul. 30, 2009 Associated Press
PHOENIX
Each time Lance and Kelli Thorson thought they had found their first home, someone would outbid them. It’s already happened at least 15 times.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be in a depressed housing market like Phoenix. Buyers are supposed to be able to walk in [...]