Posted By CotoBlogzz 06-18-2010 01:00 PM
A short sale is an arrangement in which a homeowner sells his or her home for less than the outstanding mortgage, with the consent of the lender. Short sale negotiators and agents use a number of titles including debt negotiator, debt resolution expert, loss mitigation practitioner, foreclosure rescue negotiator, short sale processor, short sale coordinator and short sale expeditor.
With so many homeowners now considering short sales, an entire industry of so-called short sale negotiators has emerged. These individuals solicit homeowners by promising to expedite the process and help coax lenders into taking part in the transaction.
The Department of Real Estate is investigating more than 40 complaints of short sale fraud, up from "virtually zero" cases only three months ago, a spokesman said.
In April, the Obama administration launched a new initiative called the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, which encourages homeowners in financial distress -- especially those who have failed to complete a trial modification or qualify for a loan modification -- to consider a short sale as an alternative to foreclosure.
According to the Attorney General, before working with -- or paying -- any short sale negotiator, homeowners should consider the following red flags:
No license : With limited exceptions, only licensed real estate agents or attorneys can engage in short sale negotiations with a homeowner's lender.
Up-front fees - Licensed real estate agents wishing to collect up-front fees from homeowners for short sale transactions must first submit an advance fee contract to the Department of Real Estate and receive a no-objection letter.
Surcharges - With many distressed properties listed well below market value, negotiators and agents are charging potential buyers thousands of dollars in surcharges and hidden fees just to place an offer on a home. These illegal fees are frequently not disclosed and are paid outside escrow.
Straw buyers and house flipping In this scheme, short sale negotiators misrepresent the market value of a property to a homeowner's lender by only submitting offers on the property from an affiliated straw buyer. After the home is purchased below market value, the fraudsters immediately flip it and pocket the difference.
Complaints and or for more information:
If you are a homeowner who has been scammed, contact the California Attorney General’s office at 1-800-952-5225 or file a complaint online at:www.ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php.
Homeowners can also learn more about avoiding mortgage and real estate fraud by visiting the Department of Real Estate website at: http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_alerts.html. A complaint form can be accessed online at:http://www.dre.ca.gov/frm_consumer.html.
Homeowners can file a complaint against a lawyer, a legal specialist or a company purporting to operate as a law firm with the State Bar by calling 1-800-843-9053 or visiting: www.calbar.ca.gov.
Homeowners can learn more about the federal government's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program by visiting:http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/hafa.html.
Non-profit housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are also available to provide free help to homeowners. To find a counselor in your area, call 1-800-569-4287.
1 comment:
In my opinion, it is always better to contact the lender and apply for a short sale. The borrowers, who are facing severe financial hardship and could not pay their dues for the past 2-3 months, should write a hardship letter to the lender and apply for a short sale. The lender will go through the hardship letter and judge their financial situation and let them know whether or not he would accept the request. I feel this reduces the chances of short sale fraud and also helps the borrower to get rid of the property in a better manner.
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