Advantage Team Real Estate Blog and Opinion

Randy Cochrane NEW BUSINESS ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER

2011-05-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

We have moved our corporate office to a new location:

Equity Real Estate - Professionals
7090 South Union Park Blvd, Suite 650
Midvale, Utah 84047

**NEW** Direct Phone # 801-326-0779
Fax: 1-888-315-3401

Has the Utah Housing Market Stabilized?

2009-12-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Has the Utah Housing Market Stabilized?

Find out if the market has stabilized in your neighborhood.

Get a NO COST, customized report emailed to your inbox by Clicking Here.

Randy Cochrane Earns SFR Designation from the National Association of REALTORS

2009-12-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

Randy Cochrane with the Advantage Team has just received a new designation, the SFR (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) Designation. Mr. Cochrane has completed live classes and online training to bring ZOOM! Loss Mitigation's clients the highest level of service with short sales and foreclosures.

The National Association of REALTORS offers the SFR certification to REALTORS who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.

REALTORS who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.In this market, Mr. Cochrane felt it was very important to be as knowledgeable as possible to help not only sellers in troubled times, but buyers as well. There are many aspects of a transaction that change depending upon the situation of the seller.

Top 5 Facts You Need to Know about the Expanded Home Buyers Tax Credit

2009-11-25T15:12:00.000-08:00

On November 6, President Obama signed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 into law, extending and expanding the important home buyer tax credit, and thereby providing many Americans with just the break they need to buy a first home or move up to a new home.

Our goal is to continually provide our clients with critical up-to-date real estate information so they can make the best possible decision when buying or selling a home.

Below are some key facts about the extended and expanded tax credit that are critical for buyers to understand in order to take advantage of this opportunity:

1. Eligibility: The tax credit is now available for first-time home buyers and eligible current homeowners. A first-time home buyer is an individual who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. This law applies for both parties in a married couple; if you haven’t owned a home for three years, but your husband has, then neither one of you can qualify for the tax credit. A qualified current homeowner who wished to move to a different home, must have owned and resided in their residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

2. Salary requirements: Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with a joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Single taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.

3. Amount of credit: The maximum credit amount for first-time home buyers is $8,000; the maximum credit amount for current homeowners is $6,500. The federal tax credit amounts to 10% of the cost of the home, up to a maximum credit of $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for current homeowners. Under the new legislation, a tax credit may only be issued for homes purchased for $800,000 or less. The tax credit is a true credit—it does not have to be repaid unless the homeowner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.

4. It’s refundable: The tax credit is fully refundable, meaning the credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if you owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed. The credit is claimed using Form 5405, which you file with your original or amended tax return.

5. Timeline: The credit is available for homes purchased on or after November 7, 2009 and before May 1, 2010. The federal income credit can be claimed on one’s individual or joint tax return for the purchase of any single-family home (newly-constructed or resale, single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums) between the dates of November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed before May 1, 2010 will also qualify for the tax credit as long as closing occurs by June 30, 2010.

For more information on the home buyer tax credit, e-mail us or visit www.irs.gov.

11 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

2009-11-25T04:53:00.000-08:00

1. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there
will be less demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you!

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price!

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a working week!

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture that market!

9. You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays!

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year!

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low!

New Address and Phone Number

2009-04-12T09:40:00.001-07:00

We've moved our corporate office to:

7070 South 2300 East, Suite 110
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
Toll-Free: 1-800-480-1917
Direct: 801-527-2011
Fax: 801-892-2203
E-Mail: info@AdvantageTeam.com
Website: www.AdvantageTeam.com

$6000 Utah Housing Grant Now Available

2009-03-20T03:41:00.000-07:00

ONLY 1600 Grants Remaining!!!

$6,000 HOME PURCHASE GRANT Administered by Utah Housing Corporation

What is the $6,000 Home Run Grant?

The Home Run Grant is a mortgage assistance program that grants $6,000 to home buyers who purchase a newly-constructed, never-occupied primary, single-family residence in Utah. The Home Run Grant is funded by the Housing Relief Restricted Special Revenue Fund, established by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, the Utah State Legislature, and Utah Housing Corporation.

When is the Home Run Grant program being launched?

The governor has signed the bill into law and the program is now launched!

Who is eligible to receive a $6,000 Home Run Grant?

Home buyers must meet the following income restrictions:
-Single person, $75,000
-Married couple, $150,000
-If more than one unmarried person is taking title to the Eligible Home, each such single person is subject to the $75,000 income limit.

Home buyers must occupy the purchased home as a primary, permanent residence no later than 30 days after closing.

If home buyers need a mortgage loan to purchase the home, the loan must be a fixed interest rate, amortizing mortgage loan with a term of 30 years or less. Cash buyers can also qualify by contacting Utah Housing Corporation directly.

How does a home buyer get the Home Run Grant funds?

To get a first-come, first-served written commitment for the Grant, home buyers must:

-Enter into a written contract to purchase a newly-constructed, single family home.
-Contact a lender to obtain final underwriting approval for any needed financing.
-Have their mortgage lender furnish required documentation to Utah Housing Corporation for the Grant.
-Utah Housing will reserve the $6,000 Grant for 30 days.

What homes can be purchased with a $6,000 Home Run Grant?

Homes must be recently-constructed, single-family residences that have a Certificate of Occupancy or a Final Inspection. They cannot be previously-occupied. Eligible property types include single-family detached homes, condominiums, planned unit developments (PUD), twin homes, town homes and manufactured homes permanently affixed to a foundation.

How does a home buyer apply for a $6,000 Home Run Grant?

Home buyers should tell their home builder, realtor and mortgage lender that they want to apply for a Home Run Grant. Mortgage lenders are the key link between the home buyer and the Home Run Grant. The mortgage lender assists the home buyer to provide necessary information to secure the grant from Utah Housing Corporation. The home buyer does not work directly with Utah Housing Corporation (unless it is a cash buyer).

What type of loan can home buyers use to purchase the home?

If home buyers need a mortgage loan, it must be a fixed interest rate loan with a term of 30 years or less. Loans may be obtained from any lender qualified to make mortgage loans under Utah law. Examples of qualifying loans include:
* Conventional
* FHA, VA, or Rural Housing
* Utah Housing Corporation’s FirstHome and FirstHome Plus

What mortgage lenders can assist homebuyers to secure a $6,000 Home Run Grant?

Any mortgage lender qualified to make mortgage loans under Utah law can assist home buyers to secure the Home Run Grant.

Do I have to be a first time home buyer to get a Home Run Grant?

No. Home Run Grants are available to all home buyers who meet the income restrictions of $75,000 for singles, $150,000 for couples and, if more than one single person takes title, the $75,000 limit applies to each such single person.

Can the $6,000 Home Run Grant be combined with the new $8,000 federal tax credit?

Yes, if a home buyer is a first-time home buyer and meets the independent criteria of both the federal and Home Run programs, they may take advantage of both. The $6,000 Home Run Grant is available to both those who are first-time home buyers as well as those who previously owned a home. The $8,000 federal tax credit is available only to first-time home buyers.

How many Home Run Grants are available to home buyers?

A total of approximately1,600 grants are available. Each grant is $6,000. Only one grant can be used for the purchase of each home. Home Run Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified home buyers. The approximate number of remaining grants will be posted on the UHC web page.

How are Home Run applications submitted?

Home Run applications are submitted through a home buyer’s mortgage lender. Home buyer applications cannot be made directly to Utah Housing Corporation unless the Buyer is paying cash for the Home.

Is the Home Run Grant taxable?

The Home Run Grant may be taxable as income under federal and state tax laws. UHC has requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about whether or not a Home Run Grant will be taxable. UHC does not give tax advice and home buyers should review the ruling and other pertinent tax information in connection with the preparation of their 2009 tax returns.

Please contact us for additional information http://www.advantageteam.com/

How to Buy a HUD Home

2009-01-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

1999 brought us many changes to the way HUD sells homes as HUD has moved toward privatizing its effort to sell its foreclosed homes in inventory. As a result, you can now find a list of HUD Homes on the internet, pick one out that you like and buy it … right? Well not exactly, but we will give you some specific pointers to getting through the maze and the myths.

First of all, you should know that a home becomes a HUD Home because someone that had an FHA Insured loan, defaulted on that loan and was foreclosed by their lender. The lender in turn collects from FHA (Federal Housing Administration) any losses they incurred from foreclosing. FHA is part of HUD (Housing and Urban Development). HUD in turn eventually gets the deed to the property and offers it for sale to the general public.

The reason lenders can recover their losses is that everyone, yes everyone who gets an FHA Insured loan pays what is called “mortgage insurance”. These insurance premiums show up on your settlement sheet as an initial premium, which is usually added to your loan amount and then an additional monthly premium is added as part of your mortgage payment. These premiums go into a fund to payoff lenders.

Now that you know how a home becomes a HUD Home, you need to know that it takes 6-12 months for HUD to get the deed so it can try to evaluate and sell the home. It takes the lender 3-6 months to complete the foreclosure process and another 3-6 months to get reimbursed by HUD so HUD can get the home, inspect, appraise the property and put it on the market. All the while the home is usually vacant; this total timeframe could easily be 12-18 months from the date of foreclosure, but 8-12 months is probably the norm. All these and more are reasons that HUD sells homes strictly on an “AS-IS” basis.

HUD Homes typically have been vacant for an extended period of time often without any utilities turned on. HUD is working with its private Marketing and Management contractors (M&M’s) trying to come up with an efficient way of keeping things like sump pumps running and getting utilities turned on before the appraisal is completed. Until recently, appraisers did not necessarily have the benefit of having gas and electric service. How could they give a reasonable determination of value without knowing if the plumbing, electric, heating and air conditioning works? These procedures have been changing and result in better appraisals. However, home inspections should be conducted to see for yourself exactly what the condition is so that you go to the settlement knowing what to expect from the home and what repairs will be needed.

Remember, HUD Homes are sold in As-Is condition. If the repairs needed exceed $5,000 HUD has a program to lend you the money called its FHA 203k rehab loan program (we will cover details of that program in a future article).

HUD wants you to use a real estate agent to help you use their contracts and forms to submit contracts if your bid is accepted. You can find the HUD property list online at www.hud.gov. Take your time reading the screens and you will be able to select your state and view your particular listings.

Insured with an escrow means that HUD’s inspections and appraisals indicate that there is less than $5,000 in repairs needed for the property to meet Hud’s minimum property standards. This is important because you need to know that the minimum property standards are in fact very minimum. Do not give up on your right to a home inspection just yet. First, take a look at the Hud minimum property standards (a link is provided for you by USHUD.com). You need to know that HUD expects you to complete the repairs and then get your lender to inspect and approve the repairs before you can get the funds from the repair escrow. This means that you need to get someone to do the repairs who will wait to get paid when you do or you must lay out the money and get reimbursed by your lender.

Uninsured properties require you to pay cash or get some kind of rehab loan. These homes need more than $5,000 in repairs and often need $10,000 to $20,000 or more. Hud offers the FHA 203k rehab loan, which I have done many times for clients and works very well if your “team” helping you knows what they are doing. An experienced real estate agent as well as a lender experienced in the processing of FHA 203k loans will help save you time and money. The interest rates and the amount of loan discount points is usually a little higher than a standard FHA loan, but you can often buy these properties at significant below market prices if you are willing to put up with the higher fees and the hassle of fixing them up.

For more information contact us 1-801-438-1166 or simply go to www.AdvantageTeam.com.

New Fannie/Freddie Short Sale Guidelines for 2009

2009-01-09T07:33:00.001-08:00

On December 24th, 2008 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released "Mortgage Letter 2008-43".

For those of you who somehow managed not to be engrossed by this less than climatic title, here are the major changes coming soon to a FHA/HUD foreclosures:

1. Elimination of the clause calling for 63 percent or greater property appraisal versus debt. Now properties can appraise at any value and still be eligible for the program.

2. Increased Net. Instead of the former 82 percent net based upon appraisal value the new limits will be 88 percent if sold with 30 days, 86 percent if sold within 60 days and 84 percent thereafter.

3. Increased Closing Costs on Short Sales. Although not a lot - FHA will now allow up to 1 percent of closing costs rather than the former zero.

4. Increased Seller Incentives. Again, although not a lot this will at least allow sellers a reasonable down payment toward a rental home by putting up to $1,000 in their pocket at closing.

5. Increased Lien Allocations. Junior liens up to $2,500 are now allowed - just one more tool that helps sweeten the pot for short sale investors interested in pursuing FHA/HUD homes.

6. Removal of Repair Limitations. This is one change that could potentially add up to thousands depending upon the required maintenance on the home. This opens the doors to many homes that would otherwise be ignored due to excessive damage.

7. Exceptions to Non-Owner Occupant Requirements. This is on a case by case basis but opens to the door to rental properties formerly excluded from the program.

Questions? Call 1-800-438-1917 or simply email your question to ZOOMLossMitigation@gmail.com

http://www.zoomlossmitigation.com/

Your home is going into foreclosure, what can you do?

2008-12-27T12:13:00.001-08:00

1. Put the property up for sale prior to the sale date with the Advantage Team.

2. Bring the delinquent balance current.

3. Find someone to deed the property to that will pick up the payments (this is very risky!).

4. Do a home loan modification.

Don't wait! Call us today for a FREE no obligation consultation at 1-800-438-1166 or simply go to http://www.advantageteam.com and find out about all your options.

Historic Low Interest Rates - Save Thousands Of Dollars

2008-12-18T11:46:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday December 16, 2008 The Federal Reserve announced that it was cutting key interest rates from 0 to .25%. This is very bold move to spark life back into our economy. But will this reduction have any positive momentum to the mortgage market?

The benchmark interest rate announced by the Federal Reserve is the lowest in its 95 year history. This move sent mortgage interest rates tumbling. But everyone will not qualify for a 4.5% 30 year interest rate.

FHA financing has enabled borrowers to refinance on a rate and term basis up to 97% of the value of their primary residence and up to 95% for cash out. But beware there are income and credit qualifications required to benefit from the new low rates. FHA does not have a minimum credit score requirement. However, many wholesalers have restricted borrowers to have a minimum score of 580 to qualify for an FHA loan. If your score is greater than a 640 you can see rates at 5% or lower. For borrowers with greater equity in their homes of 75% or less and credit scores of 680 or better have an opportunity of securing conforming rates at the 4.5% level.

This is now the time to review your current situation. These rates are now at historic lows that may only be seen once in a lifetime. But remember you are entitled to receive full disclosure about any loan that you apply for and should only be discussing fixed rate financing options with these low rates.

Don't wait! Call now 1-800-480-1917 or simply go to www.SaveThousandsOfDollars.com.

Bargain Home Deals

2008-12-12T17:18:00.000-08:00

In a matter of seconds, you can gain access to a list of local, fixer-upper, and bargain properties of great value.

You also have the option to be added to our state-of-the-art computerized service that alerts you weekly about hot, new bargain homes “just listed” on the market. No more scouring the papers to find the deals, we will provide a weekly list, giving you an advantage over other buyers.

If you’re looking for homes that require some minor renovations and cosmetic changes, in exchange for a better price, look no further. At no cost or strings attached, we will provide you with access to current listings for your desired area and surroundings. Simply fill out the form below with your ideal price range and location to get started.

How can we do this? Due to the hefty investment we have made in technology, providing this service that contains hot new listings for you is automated. This allows us to offer this service without obligation on your part. All we ask is that you pass our website name along to friends.

Get instant access to this service by Clicking Here.

Free List of Bank Properties and REO's

2008-12-09T09:16:00.001-08:00

You can sign up to receive a FREE daily list of Real Estate Owned and Bank Foreclosed properties at www.AdvantageTeamREOs.com.

Mortgage Rates Plummet to 4.27%!

2008-12-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

Have you been watching mortgage rates? They have been dropping like a tank (down to 5.47% from 5.99% the lowest level since June 2005) since the Fed announced last week that they are buying mortgage paper now through the end of the year. Now they are falling again, this time from Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsons new plan to push home-loan rates down to 4.5% to help stimulate the housing market. Thank you dear Hank! This is unbelievable...

Today conforming mortgage rates are at 4.27% the lowest since 2003. “The bond market is racing ahead of the government’s full court press to bring down mortgage rates,” Kenneth Hackel, the head of fixed-income strategy at RBS Greenwich Capital Markets, said today in a note to clients.

The latest plan is preliminary and could change. The Wall Street Journal reported only loans for home purchases, not refinancing, would be targeted. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s Dec. 1 comment that the central bank may purchase Treasuries to drive down long-term interest rates and stimulate the economy have also helped lower rates by pushing benchmark government-note yields to record lows.

Now is the time to purchase or refinance! Call 801-438-1166 or simply go to www.Skip2PaymentsNow.com.

New Home for Christmas

2008-12-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

You can become a VIP Buyer, Beat Other Buyers to Hot New Listings, and be in your home BEFORE Christmas.

You can Receive a Daily Printout of ALL New Listings That Match Your Home Buying Criteria Mailed or E-Mailed to You FREE of Charge Without Obligation

Here's how it works...

We mail you new listings (complete with pictures) of ALL MLS properties that match your home buying criteria.

So instead of having a realtor drag you from house to house wasting your time showing you many homes that don't interest you... Our exclusive Buyer Profile System allows you to pick which homes you want to view before other buyers even know about them. As a VIP buyer:

You get weekly updates of all new home listings that match your criteria FREE of charge. You get first pick of homes that interest you and the ability to beat other buyers to an offer.
Because you're there first, before most other buyers, we are able to negotiate the lowest possible price for you.

Most importantly your time isn't wasted viewing homes that don't interest you.

It's easy to get started...

Simply go to www.NewHomeForChristmas.com and fill out the form at the bottom and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form. You'll automatically become a VIP Buyer and start receiving your Buyer Profile right away.

Will Interest Rates Go UP or DOWN?

2008-11-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Yes!!! They will that is for sure!!

The only think that is certain about today's market is CHANGE. That's why we're on "rate watch" several times a day. We do all the work so you don't have to!!

If you're considering a new purchase or refinance, now is the time.

We'll keep you apprised of current interest rates. But remember, rates aren't the only factor to consider when loan shopping. The terms and features of the loan may be just as important to find the loan that best suits your needs.

Let our expertise help you SAVE BIG on your next home loan! Call us today at 801-438-1166 or simply go to www.Skip2PaymentsNow.com.

Stop Foreclosure and Get the Cash You Need in as Little as 7 Days...

2008-11-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

If your mortgage payment is past due you may be headed toward foreclosure, or perhaps you are already in foreclosure, in either case you need to know your rights and the options that are available to you. Only then can you save your house, save your credit or save your equity before it's gone forever.

As soon as you are behind on your mortgage, the countdown to foreclosure begins. The sooner you decide on a course of action, the more cash you and your family can pull out of your house, and the better chance you'll have of stopping the bank from stealing your home.

Can you find enough cash to cure the default and stay in your home?

There are several creative ways to do this if your financial situation has improved and you now feel you can afford the mortgage payments. However, if you decide to sell your house, you may be able to get cash for your equity in as little as 7 days!

Can you get a new mortgage?

You'll need to borrow enough to payoff what's owed to your current lender PLUS the back payments PLUS late fees PLUS attorneys fees PLUS all the closing costs to get a new loan.
If you're able to realistically commit to a larger mortgage obligation, this may be an option worth exploring.

Should you sell your house now?

Whether you decide to sell your home on the open market or you just want to receive cash for your equity in as little as 7 days, our free information will show you how. There's no need to go through the uncertainty of trying to sell it yourself. There's no need to spend money fixing up your house to please a picky buyer because you’ll learn:

-How to sell your house "as is"
-How to choose your closing date
-How to get cash for your equity in as little as 7 days
-How to avoid complex contracts and paperwork

But you must act quickly because your available options shrink with each passing day. By acting now, you can salvage the most amount of money out of your home.

The single largest reason to take action is to avoid a foreclosure on your record. You can determine which option is best for you and your family, be it reinstating your loan, refinancing your debt or selling your house. But at a bare minimum, avoiding foreclosure should be your absolute top priority. By saving your credit, you won't have to experience the frustration of trying to get a future mortgage, rent a nice house or apartment, or even get a fair insurance quote when you have severely damaged credit.

Know that even after your bank forecloses on your home, you'll always have a foreclosure hanging over your head, coloring the opinions of what others think of you. All mortgage applications currently ask if you've EVER had a foreclosure. You'll have to say "YES" for the rest of your life… unless you avoid it right now by discovering your options and taking positive action today.

Do you feel a foreclosure can't be stopped, and that your situation is beyond hope?

In most situations this is just NOT the case and your equity can actually be saved. Even if you have little to no equity, or even negative equity, it still may be possible to negotiate with your lender, possibly generating enough cash to give you something, rather than nothing.

In fact, if you have the ability to pay more than you're obligated to pay each month now (perhaps because the financial setback you experienced was temporary) it's possible to negotiate a plan with your lender to keep you in your home and get you back on track.

But know this… less than 10% of the families who are facing foreclosure are able to save their home by agreeing to pay MORE each month, so it may be in your best interest to explore your options for selling quickly at no expense to you.

When you decide to sell, you'll need a new place to live. Maybe you can stay with friends or family, or maybe find a new place of your own.

Damaged credit will limit where you can move. Landlords and lenders will look closely at your ability to keep up with your financial obligations. Perhaps you can move to a less expensive home with flexible seller financing. It is also possible to trade properties. Fill out the form below, click “submit” to receive FREE no obligation information on how you can stop foreclosure today!

Are you thinking of filing bankruptcy?

Some homeowners consider filing bankruptcy to stop a foreclosure. But it won't. It only delays it while the amount owed grows to an unrecoverable amount. Know that the bank that loaned you the money for your house will get their money, or your house. They're a secured creditor. Bankruptcy will never wipe out your mortgage debt. You cannot avoid foreclosure by filing bankruptcy.

Should you do nothing and wait?

Some borrowers even think they'll benefit from "free rent" until the bank hires the local sheriff to throw them out. But wouldn't you rather have debt relief, emotional relief and some seed money to start fresh in a new home or apartment? And remember… you absolutely want to keep foreclosure off your credit report at all costs.

Equity in real estate takes years to build but it can be wiped out in a single day once your house is sold at public auction. What’s worse is that your lender retains the right to come after you for any balance still owed should the proceeds of the foreclosure sale fail to satisfy the debt in full! You need to know ALL the options you have available NOW. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision based on real facts, not wishful thinking.

Simply got to http://www.nationalloanbailout.com/ and fill out the form at the bottom page to receive FREE no obligation information on how you can stop foreclosure today!

Your personal information will be held in strict confidence. You’ll learn how to:

-Raise the money needed to cure your default, or...
-Secure a new loan, or...
-Renegotiate your obligation with the lender and keep your home, or...
-Receive a firm cash offer to purchase your home "as is" in as little as 7 days, or...
-Sell your home quickly on the open market.

It is not recommended that you try to sell your house on your own unless your loan is current and you have time to test the market. Bankruptcy should always be used as a last resort because it rarely produces the result home owners expect or hope for.

It is recommended that you explore ways to get your loan current and/or stop foreclosure.

Time for a fresh start and a brighter future...

Put an end to the stress and emotional hardship you may be experiencing right now. Sure, you may find an answer on your own, but don’t you owe it to yourself and perhaps your family to get all the help you can use right NOW?

Will you take the next step?

If you’d like to receive FREE no obligation information on how to stop foreclosure and find out what options are available to you, call 438-1166 or simply go to http://www.nationalloanbailout.com/ complete the online form at the bottom of the page and click “submit”.

URGENT Mortgage Rate and Balance Reduction Now Available

2008-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

This is a special post for homeowners only. The FDIC has strongly encouraged mortgage servicers to offer homeowners a way out of their high interest rate or adjustable rate mortgages. If you know someone that is facing or considering foreclosure, has little or no equity in your home, or has recently have fallen behind on their mortgage payments due to the current economic conditions, we now have a program that can assist them. Please pass our information along or call 801-438-1166 now speak with one of our representatives. For additional information about this fantastic new program simply go to www.NationalLoanBailout.com .

Short Sale - What is it? Should I consider it?

2008-10-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

Advantage Team Short Sale Specialists have a very high success rate and have performed thousands of short sales successfully. We have added this service with no additional cost to you. With a nationwide network of experienced Realtors specializing in short sales and working closely with a loss mitigation company, your house will be priced to attract buyers AND satisfy your lender!

Working with experienced agents is critical. Without experience, your file can easily become one of hundreds going through your lender's system. And if not packaged correctly, stating information that the lender finds satisfactory, your deal can be declined.

There are many reasons to pursue a short sale, but among the most common are:

1. It may be less detrimental to your credit report. Instead of stating "foreclosure", your report may read "settled for less than full balance." or "Short Sale" And later when you are purchasing a new home, you will not have to check the box that says, "Foreclosure in the last 7 years."

2. During the short sale process, the Negotiator will include a "Release of Liability Form." This may waive the lender's deficiency judgment rights against you on any monies that they do not re-coup from the sale of the property.

3. Occasionally, attempting a short sale may slow the foreclosure process down allowing you to remain in the property for longer. Conversely, if you no longer live in the home and wish to speed up the process, our agents may be able to accomplish this as well.

For more information about short sales, contact one of our Specialists today at (801) 438-1111.

Would you like to sell your home in one week or less? I did, and so can you.

2008-10-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Calvin Curry. I’m a homeowner (or was until I sold my home) like you. Three weeks ago a foreclosure, 5 doors down my road, came on the market. I had not planned on selling my home for 2 years, but I knew a foreclosure on my street would drop my home’s value. So I decided to sell my home.

I needed to get it sold before the foreclosure or it would all be a waste of time. So I started the advertising on Monday and had my home sold the next Tuesday. From start to finish my home sold in 7 days

No, I did not give it away. I got a fair price for the home. In fact, I sold it for $10,000 more than the same size house just down the street sold for (no, I’m not talking about the foreclosure house.) Mine was a little nicer, but it proves that I got a fair price for the house.

I know this may sound crazy with how flooded the market is, but it’s not. Yes, I will admit I am a licensed real estate agent, but this home sale method has nothing to do with being a real estate agent.

In fact, the system I used is so “simple” I feel “anyone” can do it, while saving the commission an agent would charge… plus sell the home in much less time.

I have sold a lot of homes the traditional way, but nothing has worked better than the system I used that weekend. I am amazed at how many buyers came to see my house and how they fought over my home.

Here’s the process I followed to sell my home in one week. I’ll go over my sale with you. It was a 9 day process from when we started, to when I signed off on the contract with the buyer. The one week home sale is a hybrid of an auction. On Monday I put out a few arrow signs pointing to the house that said: “Home for auction, to be sold to the highest bidder on Sunday night.”

I put out a few of those signs to build interest before the weekend. I also ran an advertisement like that in the Newspaper Classifieds, Craigslist, and a few other places. On Saturday I put out more signs and held the home open. Buyers came in and made bids over the weekend. On Sunday, late afternoon, I handled the negotiations with the buyers and came to the highest bid. The next day we checked and made sure everything was ready to go, and on Tuesday we signed the contract to sell the home. We successfully closed 3 weeks later, and I am very happy.

This process works very well to sell a seller’s home. And it gets a fair price. I sold my home for $138,500, while a similar home, in not quite as nice of a shape, just sold for $129,000 down the street. And I still got that price despite the home in foreclosure that was for sale. This system works and it works well. There are 3 homes for sale in my neighborhood (including the foreclosure, which is still for sale) and those have been on the market for a while, some as long as 9 months, without selling. So, my home sold fast, and it sold for a fair price.

The reason I am writing you this letter is this. You are one of the home sellers in Utah, lucky enough to be listed with the Advantage Team. Here’s why. The Advantage Team is going to helping her own home sellers sell their home using this method. They are the only agent I know in Utah that can offer this “one week Home sale” Home Selling System. If you want to sell your home fast and for the most money, call the Advantage Team up now, and ask them about the program. You had better hurry because this home selling method could sell your house in a week.

Since my home selling program is sooo effective, I decided to have other agents around the country use it to help their sellers sell their home quickly. So, call the Advantage Team Client Care Manager right now, her number is 801-438-1166.

Here are a few of the things you will like about this home selling system:

· It attracts 20 to 100 buyers thru your home in one weekend.

· It can sell your home in one week versus the standard 4-12 months agents are currently taking.

· It gets the buyers off the fence and gets them to make a decision to buy your home.

· It will put the most money in your pocket.

· I can to sell your home quickly, thereby saving you money.

So, jump on the bandwagon and sign up before the slots are gone. Call Candice right now for more information 801-438-1166.

Sincerely,

Calvin Curry
Gainesville, Florida

P.S. This home selling methods is for real.

P.P.S. I’m glad I sold my house quick and didn’t have it sit on the market for a super long time. My wife Esther and I are having a good time spending the extra money we saved because we sold fast.

Home Loan Modification

2008-10-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

A loan modification is a change to the loan contract which is agreed to by the lender and the homeowner. The lender modifies the existing loan(s) in order to work with the homeowner because of a hardship. The purpose is to help make the loan(s) more affordable. Usually it is in the form of a rate reduction and fixing the rate for a certain duration of time. In the past, this was only used when a borrower was delinquent and suffered a hardship such as a job loss, divorce, illness, etc.

Now, borrowers can obtain modifications from their lender for unaffordable rate adjustments on adjustable rate mortgages. The earlier the homeowner addresses the issue, the better the chances are of negotiating a fixed rate and a payment that is manageable. If the homeowner can afford their home and just not their mortgage, then they may be eligible for a loan modification.

A key factor that is required in every loan modification submission, is the existence of a financial hardship for the borrower. The hardship can be temporary in nature or permanent, but the borrower must be able to prove the hardship.

We have partnered with a Law Firm that performs Forensic Loan Audits and Loan Modifications.

- A Forensic Loan Audit is a comprehensive investigation of the documentation from your existing loan(s). A special state and federal mortgage loan post compliance software is used to calculate and identify violations, which compiles the results into a detailed report.

- The Forensic Loan Doc Review is a significant part of a loan modification request submitted on your behalf. - Well over 80% of the audits on ARM Loan docs performed, reveal major TILA (Truth in Lending Act), RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act), Predatory Lending, and Real Estate/Mortgage Fraud violations.

- In some cases, if you were simply overcharged by only $35.00 on the final HUD-1, or if the annual percentage rate(APR) is only .125% higher than what was originally disclosed; there may be a violation of the Truth in Lending Act.

- This now gives the Law Firm leverage when negotiating with the lender and more than enough incentive for the lenders to grant a beneficial loan modification.

Click Here to get started on your Forensic Loan Audit and Loan Modification.

Do you know your neighbors?

2008-10-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

I mean, REALLY know your neighbors? Well, the attached site will help you know the ones you need to know even better. Just put in your address & your neighborhood map will pop up. Every place you see a red balloon or thumb tack is the home of aconvicted felon. Just hover your mouse over an icon & not only will the name come up, but also the crime they were convicted of. Share with your friends . . . safety first. http://www.felonspy.com/search.html

FHA Downpayment Options

2008-10-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

DO YOU NEED A DOWN PAYMENT FOR AN FHA LOAN?

Below are a few different options:

1. Gift funds from the borrower's employer or labor union are permitted. If the gift funds come from the borrower's employer or labor union a copy of the legal agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the gift must be obtained. The legal agreement must establish the (a) organization has a formal gift program, (b) identify the donors mailing address, (c) state the funds are a gift and don't have to be repaid AND (d) show how the funds will be transferred.

2. FHA will permit family members (only a child, parent or grandparent) to lend on a secured or unsecured basis up to 100% of homebuyers required cash investment. Loan may not provide for a balloon payment within five years from date of execution. An executed copy of the document outlining the terms of the secondary financing must be maintained in the lender's file. Borrower must qualify with debt. The debt will be calculated into the "back end" ratio. Family member may obtain loan from own resources, but borrower can't be a co-obligor on loan obtained to give to borrower. Funds may NOT come from a party to the transaction: seller, agent, loan officer, etc.

3. Gift funds from family members

NOTE: FHA does not allow gifts from seller funded down payment assistance programs.

Bank of America Plans to Help Homeowners

2008-10-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Bank of America has announced that they would like to help people stay in their homes.

They state that they have earmarked more than $8.6 billion dollar to help more than 400,000 homeowners refinance their mortgages at a low interest rate and adjusted principal.

Call us today at 801-438-1111 or simply go to http://www.skip2paymentsnow.com/ and see if you qualify for an interest rate reduction.

"For happiness one needs security." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

2008-10-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Your home is your sanctuary. You depend on it to keep your loved ones safe, and it's where you keep your cherished possessions and valuables. With so much at stake, protecting your home from intruders is of the utmost importance.

In the United States, a burglary occurs every eight seconds. Thieves average 8-12 minutes in your home, searching for valuable items like electronics, jewelry and hidden cash. Despite this, the vast majority of burglars are not professional thieves and can be thwarted with a few basic measures.

In this month's Item of Value, we have listed several ways of warding off thieves. Steps as simple as lighting your home's exterior and displaying a home alarm system sign--even if you don't have a security system installed--will make your home unattractive to burglars, who are likely to move on to an easier target.

With a few easy steps, you can keep your home secure and your family safe, and we can help.

Simply e-mail us at info@AdvantageTeam.com and we will send you this month's Item of Value.

A Model for Recovery

2008-10-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

Dave Liniger founder of RE/MAX International recently wrote:

Lately, everyone is wondering how the government's bailout plan is going to work and I've received a lot of calls from people wanting to know - "How will this help the housing industry?" It's difficult to know how this plan is going to work, especially since a new administration and Congress could change whatever it is to something else.

No one who knows me thinks that I favor government involvement in the business sector. However, the current economic situation requires some quick, bold action. It's not normal or preferable, but these are not normal times. I feel that appropriate government action is required to restore confidence. Otherwise, the current situation could drag on for years and cause significant hardships for consumers.

The government seems destined to acquire or guarantee the so-called "toxic" paper, and will facilitate work-outs or modifications for struggling borrowers. At this point, I'm not sure exactly how this will be accomplished, but I can tell you there is one plan out there that I think should be a model for this process.

As a result of several lawsuits against Countrywide, Bank of America inherited the task of settling with attorneys general in 11 states. The resulting settlement, announced this week, is a realistic strategy that offers a blueprint for other lenders and the government, who have already begun calling BoA to learn the details.

The objective of their plan is to pay the price for keeping American families in their homes and not add to the number of foreclosures in the marketplace. For 11 states, BoA will pay over $8.6 billion to resolve nearly 400,000 mortgages. They will lower interest rates, reduce principal and forgive penalties.

In the long run, the price for modifying these mortgages will avert many potential disasters. We cannot afford to have growing inventories, which only serve to reduce prices and equity. If the government dumps large numbers of REO properties on the market, millions of people would be displaced and entire neighborhoods could suffer a negative impact. My hope is that we can avoid such a disaster.

The economic crisis won't be resolved until the housing crisis is resolved. And I think the best road back to normal is to immediately reduce inventories. I will do everything I can to promote a reasonable resolution to our problem, and I believe that can be found in policies similar to those proposed by Bank of America.

Dave

Foreclosure Humor / Investor Money Available

2008-10-11T07:39:00.001-07:00

Do Hard Money can help you become a real estate investor.

Did you know that, while real estate is usually a long term investment, you can beat tradition, with access to one of the best hard money lenders in the States. Real estate has always been considered the turtle of the investment world – it wins the race, but only slowly and steadily. The great thing about real estate is that it always appreciates, over the long term. And when you find a gem of an opportunity, and fund the purchase and repairs through Do Hard Money, real estate starts to win the race a whole lot quicker.

At Do Hard Money, we base our lending decision on the quick-sale value or the sale potential of the property. We don’t base it on you – that is why we can lend so much, so fast, so unobtrusively. When you tell us you’ve found a house with real potential – the proverbial worst house in the best street – we can make things happen very fast to ensure that you can take advantage of the opportunity. In fact, this is usually between 24 and 48 hours that it takes to close a loan. When we fund you the repair money, and tell you that you don’t have to make any monthly payments on the loan, you can start that house appreciating like there’s no tomorrow!

Don’t wait for the usual turtle’s pace of money growth in real estate … contact Keith today at Do Hard Money and simply tell him that we told you to call.

www.DoHardMoney.com P 801-468-1000 F 801-303-8583E Keith@dohardmoney.com

Bailout Humor

2008-10-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Springmeyer Proposes Plan to Cut Home Foreclosures

2008-10-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Bob Springmeyer, the good jobs, good education, good health, good government candidate for Utah governor, today called for an Emergency Foreclosure Reduction Program, to improve Utah's foreclosure process, eliminate rate-spread premiums, and increase mortgage loan transparency. Springmeyer is seeking to prevent more than 6,500 foreclosures valued at over $1.7 billion by encouraging the Utah Department of Financial Institutions to work with borrowers and lenders to coordinate alternative outcomes to foreclosure, at no cost to taxpayers.

"Foreclosures resulting from the mortgage crisis are impacting Utah residents statewide, with devastating impacts on children and families," said Springmeyer. "Losing one's home is a catastrophic event, with substantial downstream effects on our economy. I am committed to pursue solutions to this important problem, rather than simply let the status quo run its harmful course."

The following are totals as of September of residential properties with default notices during the past year, in select counties:

Weber County - 468 residences valued at $86 million
Davis County - 996 residences valued at $226.7 million
Utah County - 1,147 residences valued at $333.07 million
Salt Lake County - 3,584 residences valued at $932.13 million
Washington County - 761 residences valued at $247 million
Total - 6,488 residences valued at $1,738.92 billion

The program Springmeyer is proposing will also: - Require lenders to issue a written notification to delinquent borrowers and the Department of Financial Institutions at least 45 days before executing foreclosure proceedings;

- Direct the Department's staff to work with homeowners and lenders during that 45-day period to facilitate dialogue among mortgage companies, housing counselors, community groups, and state agencies and negotiate options to avoid foreclosure, such as loan modifications;

- Allow the Financial Institutions Commissioner to extend any foreclosure filing notice by up to 30 days if, after a thorough review of the homeowner's loan and unique circumstance, there is a reasonable prospect of solution;

"The program is especially designed to assist homeowners victimized by exploitive subprime mortgages," said Springmeyer. "So far, there is no sign that Huntsman and other Utah Republican leaders are ready to step up and take decisive action in these troubling times for Utah families."

Bob Springmeyer, who has encouraged best practices in business and local government in over thirty years as a management consultant, is seeking election as Governor with his running mate, retired SBA executive Josie Valdez. Springmeyer and Valdez are running on a platform of better government, better education, better jobs, and better healthcare. For more information, visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sxwKGtQrKlZTWkqFg7Hd9hIyxs_5EwNe2wYL7ACKWx3FvA0Q_n4bS3fcQCDMKOq8UlaecrQ5oeprjGg-GF-36zjk4kjOE5swXh4jgiWluCvHfs67dlvn1Q==.

Buy...Buy...Buy!!!

2008-10-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

"If Utah were stock, people should be buying!" - Jason Perry, Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development

Click Here to find a Smokin' Hot Deal!

Foreclosure Auctions/Trustee Sales in Utah

2008-10-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

Utah Trustee Sales-

Homes are foreclosed in Utah at a trustees sale. Trustee sales usually take place at the court house steps of the county seat. This is a public auction, and anybody may bid on the house to buy a house at a trustee sale you should know that:

1. You must provide $5,000 certified funds prior to bidding.
2. Must pay off the entire purchase price in full within 24 hours. For people who don't have hundred thousands lying around, financing can be obtained through hard money lenders.
3. Properties sold at the public auctions are sold without warranties. There still may be judgements tied to the property. The properties might even still have residents needing eviction.

The following Trustee sites will tell you when and where upcoming Utah Foreclosure auctions will be:

Scott Lundberg
Bryan Cannon
Recontrust
Smith Knowles
Marlon Bates
Woodall and Wassermann

You can also find out about upcoming trustee sales by viewing the classifed sections of local newspapers. If nobody purchases the house at the public auction, the property is purchased by the bank. It then becomes a bank owned or REO Property, and will most likely be listed by a Realtor and then sold.

Locations of Utah Trustee Sales-

The location of the Trustee Sales varies depending on the county the property is located. They are usually held on the court house steps of the county seat. Most Utah Trustee Sales occur in Salt Lake City at the Salt Lake County Courthouse, but there are also many in Ogden at the Weber County Courthouse, in Provo at the Utah County Courthouse, and in Farmington at the Davis County Courthouse. The other counties also have foreclosure auctions, just not quite as often.

Fannie and Freddie: Finding Their Future

2008-10-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

I applaud recent government actions to restore confidence and stability in the housing industry by placing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a conservatorship. Federal cash guarantees are part of the plan, which will also replace key executives at the two government sponsored enterprises (GSE's).

Many analysts believe that this move will lead to lower interest rates in the short term and help bring buyers back to the market to reduce the high inventory of homes. All this is good, but it may come at a price. Taxpayers may be stuck with a $200 billion bill to bail out the two GSE's. But there aren't many good options at this point in time.

The original objective for the two GSE's was to provide a "counter-cyclical balance" to the marketplace, letting private organizations operate freely in good times and providing alternative options in bad times, all to ensure consistently affordable homeownership.

These are respectable goals, but over the years, Fannie and Freddie have grown to control roughly half, or about $5 trillion of securitized mortgages in the United States. Part of the stated objectives of the new plan is to allow them to continue to grow through 2009, in an effort to stabilize the market, but then in 2010 to shrink by 10% each year to a more reasonable size.

However, creators of this new restructuring plan recognize that congress and the new administration will ultimately determine a permanent future for Fannie and Freddie. It is my hope that their original mission, to create opportunities for affordable housing, will not be lost, while at the same time, their dominance in the marketplace will be reduced.

Nobody likes the idea of having the government control such a large portion of the mortgage industry, but for the short term, this plan may play a key role in the resolution of the serious problems in the housing industry. A reorganization of Fannie and Freddie may be long overdue and have a positive impact, but we need to be sure that we don't facilitate government control of an industry vital to the economic well being of so many in our country.

Capitulation Verses Opportunity

2008-10-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

To capitulate is to surrender, consent, or yield. Capitulation is the giving up of resistance.

Pundits speak of the need for there to be capitulation in the markets before we see a recovery in asset valuations. In the stock market, the signal for this is, a sustained three week to three month sell off. During capitulation, prices break through all resistance barriers and effectively freefall, because investors lose confidence in a recovery and decide selling at any price is better than hanging on. Buyers wait because they are sure prices will be lower tomorrow. During capitulation, as in a bubble, fundamentals are temporarily thrown aside while emotions drive the market. The reversal happens when the opportunities for buyers are just too good to pass up.

Sound familiar? We are well into the stage where sellers are "dumping" their homes because selling at a distressed price is better than not selling at all. During November, December, and January, buyers stood on the sidelines waiting to see what would happen to home prices. Today, foreclosures and short sales are presenting opportunities that are just too good for buyers to pass up.

The land markets are experiencing this on a dramatic scale. Land sales larger than 10 acres evaporated over the Christmas Holiday last year, and buyers are still reluctant to step in nine months later. As a result, sellers have become more and more aggressive with their pricing hoping to draw in buyers. The investment opportunities in the land markets are tremendous today, but the fear of the current cycle remains paralyzing. Sellers and buyers are waiting for the other to flinch. The recovery begins once the standoff is over.

Gerald Loeb, one of the great contrarian investors of the last century, stated: "It should be recognized that [the exceptional opportunities] will inevitably be available principally when the majority of buyers refuse, because of fear, to take advantage of low prices".

The presence of buyers suggests the housing market has capitulated. Since Warren Buffet stepped in to invest $5 billion in Goldman Sachs on September 23rd, it looks like the banking sector may have capitulated. Once the broader recovery has begun, we will all breathe a sigh of relief and then regret our positions weren't more aggressive during the uncertainty.

If you are a seller, adjust your price slightly more aggressively than current market conditions and be ready to do the deal that presents itself. If you are a buyer, waiting until tomorrow may yield a better price; waiting may also yield a missed opportunity. Buyers remorse is just as nagging when it comes as a result of the deal you should have done. Opportunities are not for those with weak resolve.