Chances are, you or someone you know in the Phoenix Metro area is facing the possibility of foreclosure. But you need to understand that you are not alone.

Today, nearly 1 out of every 6 homeowners in America is behind on mortgage payments. These are tough and frustrating times. Now more than ever, it’s important to identify your options. Foreclosure can be avoided, your credit can be saved, and your financial future can be salvaged.

Through our experience handling distressed properties at Twins & Co. Realty, we’ve found that homeowners today have more questions than answers about their circumstances. We have created this site to help you understand the possible solutions to foreclosure, as well as provide a detailed explanation of short sales, which may be the best course of action for some homeowners.

We’re offering you a FREE Report to explain your options and help you decide on a course of action. The idea of losing a home can be overwhelming, and we feel it is vital for you to have all the facts necessary to make an informed decision.

As agents with the CDPE® Designation, we have strong and unique appreciation of the factors affecting the market, and know that there are options available to you.

The current U.S. housing market and national financial crisis has caused untold stress and heartache for many American families. Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges that a family can face and one that many times can be avoided. The options available to Scottsdale-area residents for foreclosure are many. Following is a brief explanation of these solutions, including their benefits and drawbacks:

Reinstatement
A reinstatement is the simplest solution for a foreclosure, however it is often the most difficult. The homeowner simply requests the total amount owed to the mortgage company to date and pays it. This solution does not require the lender’s approval and will ‘reinstate’ a mortgage up to the day before the final foreclosure sale.

• Benefit: Does not require the mortgage company or lender’s approval.
• Drawback: Requires that a homeowner be able to pay all back payments, fines and fees.

Forbearance or Repayment Plan
A forbearance or repayment plan involves the homeowner negotiating with the mortgage company to allow them to repay back payments over a period of time. The homeowner typically makes their current mortgage payment in addition to a portion of the back payments they owe.

• Benefit: Allows the homeowner to make back payments over time.
• Drawback: Requires that a homeowner be in a financial position to pay not only their current mortgage, but also a portion of the back payments owed. Some mortgage companies will require a homeowner to ‘qualify’ for forbearance.

Mortgage Modification
A mortgage modification involves the reduction of one of the following: the interest rate on the loan, the principal balance of the loan, the term of the loan, or any combination of these. These typically result in a lower payment to the homeowner and a more affordable mortgage.

• Benefit: Reduces the payment a homeowner is required to make on a monthly basis and may reduce the principal balance of the loan
• Drawback: Requires that a homeowner ‘qualify’ for the new payment and will often require full documentation. Lender has to be actively pursuing modifications.

Rent the Property
A homeowner who has a mortgage payment low enough that market rent will allow it to be paid, is able to convert their property to a rental and use the rental income to pay the mortgage.

• Benefit: Allows homeowner to keep property indefinitely.
• Drawback: The issues that can arise with a rental property are many, and rent often does not cover the full cost of property ownership and maintenance.

Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure
Also known as a ‘friendly foreclosure’, a deed in lieu allows the homeowner to return the property to the lender rather than go through the foreclosure process. Lender approval is required for this option, and the homeowner must also vacate the property.

• Benefit: Many times in a successful deed in lieu, the lender will forego their right to a deficiency judgment.
• Drawback: Requires that a homeowner vacate the property, and a deed in lieu may be reported to credit bureaus as a foreclosure.

Bankruptcy
Many have considered and marketed bankruptcy as a ‘foreclosure solution,’ but this is only true in some states and situations. If the homeowner has non-mortgage debts that cause a shortfall of paying their mortgage payments and a personal bankruptcy will eliminate these debts, this may be a viable solution.

• Benefit: Does not require lender approval.
• Drawback: If a homeowner cannot afford their mortgage payment, a bankruptcy will only stall—not stop—the foreclosure process. Bankruptcy can be costly, is damaging to credit scores, and can only be declared once every seven years.

Refinance
If a homeowner has sufficient equity in their property and their credit is still in good standing, they may be able to refinance their mortgage.

• Benefit: In some cases, this will lower payments.
• Drawback: In today’s market, a refinance will almost always raise mortgage payments, and is an expensive process.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (military personnel only)
If a member of the military is experiencing financial distress due to deployment, and that person can show that their debt was entered into prior to deployment, they may qualify for relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The American Bar Association has a network of attorneys that will work with servicemembers in relation to qualifying for this relief.

• Benefit: If qualified, this will lower payments on all consumer debt in addition to mortgage payments.
• Drawback: Must be active military to qualify.

Sell the Property
Homeowners with sufficient equity can list their property with a qualified agent that understands the foreclosure process in their area.

• Benefit: Allows homeowner to avoid foreclosure and harvest some of their equity.
• Drawback: In many cases today, homeowners do not have sufficient equity to sell their property without negotiating a short sale (see next solution).

Short Sale
If a homeowner owes more on their property than it is currently worth, then they can hire a qualified real estate agent to market and sell their property through the negotiation of a short sale with their lender. This typically requires the property to be on the market and the homeowner must have a financial hardship to qualify. Hardship can be simply defined as a material change in the financial stability of the homeowner between the date of the home purchase and the date of the short sale negotiation. Acceptable hardships include but are not limited to: mortgage payment increase, job loss, divorce, excessive debt, forced or unplanned relocation, and more.

• Benefit: A short sale allows the homeowner to avoid foreclosure and salvage some of their credit rating. This also keeps foreclosure off the individual’s public record, and in many cases will allow the homeowner to avoid a deficiency judgment. Borrower may qualify for another mortgage in as little as 24 months (as opposed to up to ten years for a foreclosure).
• Drawback: Short sales can be a trying process in which a homeowner is best served by contracting with a qualified real estate agent to guide the way.

This represents only a summary of some of the solutions available to homeowners facing foreclosure. Please call us today for a free confidential evaluation of your individual situation, property value, and possible options.

There are millions of homeowners just like you who are looking for answers and don’t know what to do. You’re not alone and you’re in the right place.

As Certified Distressed Property Experts, we have training and experience in providing solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship. Despite our best efforts, there’s still an overwhelming amount of misinformation about the options available, especially short sales.

To give you a better idea of the short sale option, and to set straight some of the myths you may have heard, we’ve prepared a free report just for you – please fill out the information below to receive your free report. This report will clarify the following myths:

• The Bank Would Rather Foreclose Than Bother With A Short Sale
• You Must Be Behind On Your Mortgage To Negotiate A Short Sale
• There Is Not Enough Time To Negotiate A Short Sale Before My Foreclosure
• Listing My Home As A Short Sale Is An Embarrassment
• Short Sales Are Impossible And Never Get Approved
• Banks Are Waiting On A Bailout And Not Accepting Short Sales
• Buyers Are Not Interested In Short Sale Properties

These ideas are potentially harmful to homeowners seeking real solutions. We hope you’ll review this information for yourself or share it with a homeowner in need.

In these times, we all need to know the truth to know how to get back on track.

When you or someone you know is pushed to the edge of foreclosure, it is vital to know that you have options.

It is our duty as a real estate professionals to reach out to distressed homeowners. As CDPE designated agents, we have received extensive training to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

We created this site to provide a lifeline of information regarding alternatives. From short sales to loan modifications, we can provide information to help.

For a free report on foreclosure alternatives, fill out this form and click “Send.”

If you would like to know more about your options, please call us at 602.908.8946 or 602.908.5801 or contact us.

We are here to help … in any way we can.

-The Short Sale Twins Team