Short sale frustrations could easily be the reason so many homes head to foreclosure. The lengthy time frame to complete a short sale, combined with hanging in the balance waiting for the mercy of the lender is wearing to say the least. A short sale can be a great way to avoid foreclosure and save a credit rating but it often takes thick skin and a whole lot of patience.

One of the most frustrating things about a short sale is the fact that if the home were already foreclosed upon it could be sold immediately, possibly for less than it would sell for a short sale price, so why won’t the bank simply agree to a short sale? Either way the bank is losing money, why go through the foreclosure process if the home could be sold as a short sale? Be prepared. Have proof of what your home is worth in today’s real estate market and demonstrate that accepting the short sale is in the lender’s best interest.

A short sale has a much better chance of occurring when an experienced REALTOR is involved. When connections exist the short sale process tends to run more smoothly. The key to a successful short sale is preparation and determination.

http://www.propertyindistressaz.com/  for access to short sale help, and find answers to the most common short sale questions.

SCVNGR is a game about going places, doing challenges and earning points.

Pick a challenge and do it. You’ll earn points, start unlocking badges, share your activity with your friends and play on. As you  visit your favorite places more and more often, you’ll unlock extra functionality like being able to add your own challenges for your friends to do.

Visit  www.scngr.com  join the fun

The question, “Is real estate a good investment?” is one which many have wondered over the course of our recession. In most situations the answer is yes, especially for the long term. Those buying real estate with the intent to live in a home or own a property for a long period of time are making an investment. Historically speaking real estate has displayed a return that outpaces inflation by at least one percent if not higher. In fact, regardless of the recent bursting of the housing bubble, many parts of the country have shown more than a 50% increase in property values since 1990. While huge jumps in home values are not expected to occur any time in the near future, the subtle rise in values in most home prices will make long-term real estate values grow at consistent levels.

Now could be a great time to buy a home for the following reasons:

• Mortgage rates are hovering above historic lows and have nowhere to go but up.
• Home values appear to be stabilizing and even increasing in some markets.
• Home affordability levels are at all time highs.
• Sellers are motivated.

There is no doubt that many people got caught up in the housing bubble, gambling on the huge returns that were occurring for real estate investors. Unfortunately those that bought at the height of the market, as well as those who bought beyond their means, gambled and lost. In today’s market buying a primary residence or rental property seems to make a lot more sense than it did at the height of the market, after all buying low and selling high is much better for your wallet than buying high and selling low.

Fannie Mae launched a new website to help homeowners who are behind on their Mortgage  payments or are facing foreclosure.  Knowyouroptions.com features practical information and resources to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and either stay in their home or sell it.  Resources include a list of local foreclosure prevention events, housing counselors, Fannie Mae resources, credit score information, forms, videos, calculators and more.  The Site also provides important tips for recognizing and avoiding foreclosure scams. 

For more information, go to www.knowyouroptions.com

Fall is an important time of year for gardening, and how you deal with your garden at this time of year can affect how your garden will grow come Spring. While there are plants that are at their best in Fall, many need to be cut back and put to bed for the upcoming Winter months.

A few things to do to your garden in the Fall:

• Cut back flowering plants, whose blooms have come and gone.
• Get rid of any unhealthy plants.
• Weed your flower beds.
• Get rid of any fruits and vegetables that may have fallen to the ground.
• Rake up any leaves and debris.
• Turn over the soil.

Cleaning your garden in the Fall will get rid of elements that could get in the way of Spring growth. In addition, turning over the soil can get rid of weed roots and seeds that would lead to more weed growth in Spring. Cutting perennial plants back promotes healthy, thicker growth when dormant periods are over. While different parts of the country may have different growing season, gardens everywhere have seasons and need to be paid attention to accordingly.

Click here to learn more about Fall gardening from HGTV.

Fall is a great time to examine the exterior of your home in order to prepare it for Winter weather. A great first place to start is with your landscaping. Winter means the onset of most plants’ dormant phase, almost like hibernating for the botanical world, and Fall is a great time to cut back plants, trim trees and shrubs, and get everything ready for new growth in the Spring. Not only will this neaten up the appearance of your landscaping but it is also an essential element of boosting healthy growth in the future.

Fall is also a great time to put away the yard tools. Do not forget about your garden hoses, as many areas of the Country experience freezing temperatures in Winter months, which can burst pipes if any water has been left in your hose or the exterior water lines. Likewise it is a great idea to schedule your sprinkler lines to be blown out.

Peruse the exterior of your home and tighten up what items appear to need repair and make a list for what you might want to do come Spring, perhaps a new paint job, deck expansion, plant a new tree, or fence the yard. The change of seasons can often bring a desire to clean and organize and after looking outside don’t forget to look inside your home. Preparing for a Winter climate ahead of time can help you avoid getting caught off guard, as well as save you from some avoidable expenses.

Click here to read a recent article from Realty Times regarding Fall home care.

There are many improvements that a person can make to a home, many offering more of a return than others. There are some home improvements that can actually hurt a home’s investment potential. Some improvements limit the number of future potential home buyers due to the uniqueness of the improvement, for example not everyone wants a home spa, sauna, full workout room, etc. In essence it is important to make sure that home improvements and additions be well-planned and then well-executed.

Historically, the best improvements are kitchens, bathrooms, and decks. These renovations and/or additions offer the best return for the dollars spent, being that they are completed reasonably and not over-the-top. The simpler the project, the better.

Most people want to get their money back when they sell a home, but many will not. One key element to remember is to keep your home in line with the neighborhood. If every home on your block is similar and you add a huge garage, fancy finishes and ornate touches that do not exist in your neighborhood you probably won’t get your money back. Of course, if you don’t care about the return that you will get on your home then you can feel free to throw caution to the wind.

Click here to read a recent article from Main Street about potential remodel pitfalls.

If you are buying a home there are some important things to think about. While there are people out there who do not believe that a person’s primary residence should be looked at as an investment, the reality is that a home is probably one of the most expensive purchases in a person’s lifetime and, as such, is a very important investment. That being said, buying real estate is a big deal and should be approached with thought and caution.

There are two main factors when buying a home, one being financial, the other being physical. Financially it is of the utmost importance to buy within your means. Know your budget, what you can afford now, and do not go beyond it. Before even looking for a home go through the pre-qualification process of acquiring a mortgage. Lastly, remember that you are your own best advocate, do your research and know what expenses will be coming at you upon closing so that you are not caught off guard and forking over extra, unexpected money that you cannot afford.

When it comes to the physical attributes of your house hunting, it is a good idea to look at everything available in your price range in the area that you want to move to. Realize that there is a good chance that you will be attracted to real estate that is above your price range but remember to be realistic, you need to stay within your budget.

When it comes to real estate it is a great time to be a buyer. Contact a local Realtor with a solid reputation and see what you can find.

Click here to read a recent article from Investopedia titled “10 Worst First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes 2010”.

When it comes to real estate it is easy to wonder what’s going on. One report is gloomy while another is bright. The reality is that real estate is improving, how much so being localized to any given area.

Before the recession hit real estate markets nationwide were gaining at unrealistic paces, hence the housing boom and subsequent bust. It is important to remember that the modest improvements being seen are more realistic and if huge jumps were being made we might return to the same boat.

Overall home prices have started a modest recovery, with slight increases across the board, but the areas hardest hit by foreclosures are where values have yet to show much of a rebound. The historically low mortgage rates are increasing mortgage applications as well, adding to the real estate sales volume.

While overall, unemployment levels will continue to affect the economy as a whole, it is impossible not to look at real estate data and see an improvement. Small steps are definitely being made in the right direction.

Click here to read a recent article from Realty Times regarding the current state of real estate.

The home buyer tax credit may be gone but assistance is still out there. Potential first time home buyers have options to explore when considering jumping into real estate. One of the first hurdles when buying a home for the first time is often coming up with a down payment. Even a good saver may have a hard time saving the thousands that can be necessary for a down payment. Luckily there are options for help.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has many assistance and reference programs. HUD’s website has links to Habitat for Humanity, rural housing, and a number of home buyer programs in your area. The HUD website can be a great resource, offering a wealth of information on what is involved in purchasing a home.

The Federal Housing Agency (FHA) is another agency offering information and assistance. The FHA helps buyers buy homes with both low interest rates and a small down payment. Where a standard down payment can be anywhere from 10 to 20%, an FHA loan can require as little as 3.5% down. Standard loan fees can be wrapped into the loan through FHA as well.

If home ownership seems like a pipe dream, it doesn’t have to. If you have a steady source of income then you have mastered one of your biggest hurdles. Contact a real estate professional today to learn more about purchasing real estate in your area.

Click here to visit the HUD website.
Click here to learn more about FHA.