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Petra Fahey
Agent/Owner
    Years of Experience: 13

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Office: 928-758-8811



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Real Living Country Ranch
1858 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ
928-758-8811


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Posts Tagged ‘avoid foreclosure’

Good Reasons to Avoid Foreclosure

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

I ran across this article this week and I decided to post it. Helping people avoid foreclosure is very important to the agents at Real Living Country Ranch. Our short sale team is dedicated to helping people get their homes sold and moving forward with their lives.

Foreclosures Costing Some Borrowers Their Jobs
Foreclosure can mean more than just a blemish to borrowers’ credit record–it can jeopardize their job too. Federal contractors and employees are finding a foreclosure can cost them their federal security clearance and ultimately their job. It can take years to restore a security clearance so they can work again too.

Many employees who have security clearances are required to report mortgage defaults and other financial issues to their company’s or agency’s security officer.

About 70 security clearance appeals involving foreclosures and other distress sales were reported from January 2006 through January 2010 by the U.S. Defense Department’s Office of Hearings and Appeals. Of those 70 cases, 62 clearances were revoked or denied, according to reports.

“Losing your security clearance is like losing your most marketable aspect for employment,” Travis John, a real estate broker, told the Orlando Sentinel.

David P. Price, a lawyer who specializes in security clearance cases, says he’s seen financial related security clearance problems double in recent years.

For borrowers at risk of foreclosure, they usually have more success at keeping their security clearance if they can prove that their mortgage was a sensible loan that did not overextend them at the time and also show they’ve tried to find a work-out solution, such as a short sale. However, Price says that even a short sale doesn’t put borrowers in the clear since it can take a long time to complete such transactions and increase the chance of a foreclosure.

Source: “Foreclosures Put Workers’ Security Clearances at Risk,” Orlando Sentinel (June 7, 2011)

HOPE FOR TROUBLED HOMEOWNERS

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Everyone is aware of the “Foreclosure” crisis effecting most of the country and our home town of Bullhead City real estate is also affected. Much has been written about Homeowners who are “upside down” or “underwater” with home loans that are now higher than the value in their homes. Since our Bullhead City, Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley real estate market saw the values rise at an amazing rate, we are now experiencing the downside of a declining market. What can a person do who is faced with this situation and is falling behind with loan payments?

Many local home owners are attempting to use a Short Sale transaction in order to avoid foreclosure. However, many “Short Sale” properties tend to linger on the market, for many reasons. Many times a homeowner is not given the correct information to make the tough decisions needed to avoid foreclosure. Although the process can be extended due to the backlog with /protracted time frames involved in negotiating with the Lender/Investor to accept a sale price that is less than the amount owed on the property, the results are worth the effort.
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FHA Throws a Life Line

Monday, August 16th, 2010

FHA is in the news today as they lend a hand for the underwater homeowner.  This is a new program and I am interested how many people are helped.  See full aritcle below from appraisalinstitute.org.

FHA Launches Refinance Opportunity for Underwater Homeowners

Homeowners underwater on their mortgages could be getting relief through a government program designed to encourage principal write-downs for responsible borrowers, according to a Department of Housing and Urban Development news release issued Aug. 6. 

In an effort to help responsible but struggling homeowners, HUD has detailed adjustments to its refinance program, which the agency hopes will enable lenders to provide additional refinancing options to homeowners who owe more than their home is worth. 

Starting Sept. 7, the Federal Housing Administration will offer certain underwater non-FHA borrowers who are current on their existing mortgage and whose lenders agree to write off at least 10 percent of the unpaid principal balance of the first mortgage, the opportunity to qualify for a new FHA-insured mortgage, according to the HUD news release. 

“We’re throwing a life line out to those families who are current on their mortgage and are experiencing financial hardships because property values in their community have declined,” FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens said in the HUD news release. “This is another tool to help overcome the negative equity problem facing many responsible homeowners who are looking to refinance into a safer, more secure mortgage product.” 

The FHA Short Refinance option is one of several Obama administration initiatives introduced as part of an administration plan to help stabilize residential markets by helping 3 to 4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012. 

To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth, be current on their existing mortgage, qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements, have a credit score equal to or greater than 500, and the property must be their primary residence. Also, the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10 percent of the borrower’s unpaid principal balance, bringing that borrower’s combined loan-to-value ratio to no greater than 115 percent. 

Existing FHA-insured loans cannot be refinanced, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75 percent.

 To facilitate the refinancing of new FHA-insured loans under this program, the Treasury Department will provide incentives to existing second lien holders who agree to provide principal write-downs. To be eligible for the program, servicers are required to execute a Servicer Participation Agreement with Fannie Mae on or before Oct. 3. 

For more information on the FHA Short Refinance option, read the FHA’s recent mortgagee letter

Short Sales and Late Payment

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Earlier this week I received a phone call from a fellow Arizonian in the greater Phoenix area.  Tim had been reading my Blog post “After a Short Sale, How Soon Can I Buy?”, and had a few questions for me.  Tim is selling his home as a short sale to avoid foreclosure.  He listed the property with a REALTOR®, accepted an offer, complied his financials and the entire package has been submitted to Fannie Mae for approval.  As Tim is looking forward to purchasing another home, he has remained current on his mortgage per the guidelines from Fannie Mae.  After his package was reviewed he was told by Fannie Mae that he needed to be behind one month on his mortgage or they would not approve his short sale. 

WHAT??  I can’t imaging anyone little lone the government turning down money to approve a loss.  Also, the late payment will extend his wait to purchase another home.  “Can this be the new norm?” Tim asked.  

Wow.  I told him that we had not encountered any banks, Fannie Mae etc turning down house payments to approve a short sale but I would have to look into this and get back with him.  I GOOGLED and was unable to come up with anything from Fannie Mae stating a homeowner requesting a short sale must be one payment behind.  I did however find a few Blog posts from a fellow realtor’s with the same story that Tim had told.  

Unfortunately the verdict is still out.  As we continue to live through this financial cycle, Michael and I will continue to work diligently to help people achieve their real estate goals.  The rules seem to change and as each bank has its’ own set of criteria we will continue to keep you updated

What is HAFA?

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
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SFR Certified to Help Clients with Short Sales and Foreclosures

Monday, April 5th, 2010

March 2010 Michael and Petra Fahey earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. 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. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. 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.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan,  “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”  

The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.

Michael and Petra Fahey are committed to help their customers and clients achieve real estate success.  Call them today.  928-763-3363

After a Short Sale, how soon can I buy?

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Many people ask me about short sales in Bullhead City.  The most asked question is “I want to avoid foreclosure.  If I short sale my house how soon can I buy another home?”

The answer is not the same for all loans.  If you, during your short sale , remain current on all dept obligations including the mortgage and installment dept and the proceeds from the short sale serve as payment in full, there will be no wait time for a new purchase.  This goes for FHA and Conventional Freddie and Fannie backed loans only.

If you have late mortgage and/or installment dept then the wait time is 3 years for FHA, 3 years VA and 3 years for conventional Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

In the event you have your home has been foreclosed on, your wait time will be 5 years FHA, 5 years VA and 5 years Conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

I speak to Arizona homeowners daily regarding the choices ahead of them.  Although many homeowners want to avoid foreclosure, many people are so discouraged that they do not have the emotional energy needed to get their home on the market and work with the bank and a REALTOR to get the short sale approved and close escrow.  Many people need to speak to a real estate attorney and do not know who to call.  Team Fahey has a great relationship with an Arizona real estate attorney who works with our clients and specializes in short sales.  Please do not give up!  You can avoid foreclosure by selling your home useing the short sale process.  You and your family’s future housing needs depend on the decisions you make today.  Call Team Fahey today 928-758-8811 petra@teamfahey.com

Short Sale vs Foreclosure

Short Selling your home in Bullhead City Arizona

Monday, February 15th, 2010

I spoke to Dan Callahan reporter from the Mohave Valley Daily News last week.  Here are some of the excerpts from the article he wrote.

The practice of short selling a distressed property has seen a resurgence recently as lenders and banks are more willing to negotiate with homeowners who are unable to keep up with their payments. A short sale can take place when a homeowner is “short,” or owes more on a property than the property is worth. The homeowner then negotiates with the mortgage company to accept less than the full balance of the loan at closing. A buyer closes on the property and the property is sold “short.”

The process, however, is not necessarily easy. According to Petra Fahey, owner/Realtor with Country Ranch GMAC Real Estate in Bullhead City, a homeowner must be able to prove financial hardship and insolvency, find a buyer and negotiate a price. The lender must approve the short sale before it can proceed.

According to the Distressed Property Institute, if a homeowner can successfully negotiate a short sale with the lender, the effect on the homeowner’s credit score and credit history are far less destructive than a foreclosure. Additionally, a short sale does not have to be declared on a mortgage application. Similarly, eligibility for future loans also comes about much more quickly — two years instead of five.

“They’re definitely not wanting to foreclose,” said Fahey, of banks and mortgage lenders, making the possibility of a short sale much more realistic for many underwater homeowners.

“Always consult an Arizona real estate attorney and an accountant before proceeding,” advised Fahey.

To find a Certified Distressed Property Expert in your area, visit www.cdpe.com

Treasury Department Announces Short Sale Incentives Program

Monday, December 14th, 2009

On November 30, 2009, the Treasury Department released guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAFA provides incentives in connection with a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program. HAFA applies only to loans not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which will issue their own versions of HAFA in coming weeks. Read NAR’s HAFA summary.

Short Sale-Bullhead City Arizona

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Government Announces Short Sales Guidelines The U.S. Treasury Department announced new guidelines this week designed to make short sales go more smoothly. To qualify under these new guidelines: • The property must be the home owner’s principal residence. • The home owner must be delinquent on the mortgage or close to defaulting. • The loan must have been made before Jan. 1, 2009, and be for less than $729,750. • The borrowers’ total monthly mortgage payment must exceed 31 percent of their before-tax income. Under the plan, borrowers will receive $1,500 from the government for selling homes for less than the amount of their mortgages. Mortgage-servicing companies will get $1,000 for each completed short sale. Second-mortgage holders can receive up to $3,000 of the sales proceeds in exchange for releasing their liens. Investors who hold the first mortgage can collect up to $1,000 from the government for allowing the payments. Borrowers who complete a short sale under the program must be “fully released” from future liability for the debt, according to the guidelines. Source: Associated Press, J.W. Elphinstone (11/01/2009) and The Wall Street Journal, Ruth Simon (11/01/2009

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