New Rules to Speed-up Short Sales
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Federal Housing Finance Agency laid out new rules aimed at speeding up the short sale process, a move that could keep many homes from falling into foreclosure.
In a short sale, the bank that holds the mortgage must agree to accept a price for the home that is less than what is owed. Even though short sales are considered a better alternative to foreclosure, banks often take so long to review and approve short sales that the deal falls apart and homes get repossessed.
"Delays in approving short sale requests remain a significant challenge for realtors and consumers and often results in canceled contracts and the property going into foreclosure," said the president of the National Association of Realtors.
The organization attributed much of the closing problems to extended lender response times. Some agents said that lenders even foreclosed on the homes before a short sale could close.
To help avoid the trend from continuing, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac laid out rules that will require lenders to review and respond to short sale requests within 30 days and make a final decision within 60 days. The lender is also required to provide weekly status updates to the borrower if the offer is still under review after 30 days.
The new guidelines, which go into effect on June 1, can prove to be beneficial for all of the parties involved.
For lenders, it could mean saving a distressed property from falling into foreclosure, saving them tens of thousands of dollars in lost property value and costs.
The average foreclosure during the last three months of 2012 sold for $149,686, while short sales averaged $184,221, according to RealtyTrac. And foreclosures also pile up higher expenses with lenders paying for property taxes, heating and maintenance costs.
Home sellers, too, would be better off because they often will take just aone-time hit to their credit score for a short sale rather than the multiple delinquencies associated with a foreclosure.
And buyers get homes in better condition, typically because the sellers have been living there and keeping the homes in good condition.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency laid out new rules aimed at speeding up the short sale process, a move that could keep many homes from falling into foreclosure. In a short sale, the bank that holds the mortgage must agree to accept a price for the home that is less than what is owed.
Even though short sales are considered a better alternative to foreclosure, banks often take so long to review and approve short sales that the deal falls apart and homes get repossessed. "Delays in approving short sale requests remain a significant challenge for realtors and consumers and often results in canceled contracts and the property going into foreclosure," said the president of the National Association of Realtors.
The organization attributed much of the closing problems to extended lender response times. Some agents said that lenders even foreclosed on the homes before a short sale could close.To help avoid the trend from continuing, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac laid out rules that will require lenders to review and respond to short sale requests within 30 days and make a final decision within 60 days. The lender is also required to provide weekly status updates to the borrower if the offer is still under review after 30 days.
The new guidelines, which go into effect on June 1, can prove to be beneficial for all of the parties involved.For lenders, it could mean saving a distressed property from falling into foreclosure, saving them tens of thousands of dollars in lost property value and costs.
The average foreclosure during the last three months of 2012 sold for $149,686, while short sales averaged $184,221, according to RealtyTrac. And foreclosures also pile up higher expenses with lenders paying for property taxes, heating and maintenance costs.Home sellers, too, would be better off because they often will take just aone-time hit to their credit score for a short sale rather than the multiple delinquencies associated with a foreclosure.
And buyers get homes in better condition, typically because the sellers have been living there and keeping the homes in good condition.
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on Sunday, May 12, 2013 @ 9:57 AM
Chris White - Team Leader said
"Unfortunately you are not alone. It's more than an outcry. The powers that be really need to come down harder on Bofa than they already are. Working on these short sale for over 2 years now I've uncovered down right fraud happening on the lenders parts. If they cared more about moving this country forward than protecting their own wallets then they would cut the red tape and approve these short sales in a timely manner. Our team made the wise decision to get BofA loans which were FHA or Freddie Mac backed, approved prior to listing on the market. Then we can list the home as "Price Approved" and close in 30 days. In this instance BofA does a full appraisal, rather than an incompetent "Broker Price Opinion" (nothing against agents but they have no idea how to make adjustments on comparable homes) and then the bank issues an "Approval To Participate" letter which dictates what price we can go on the market and take anything north of 88%. I really do hope your situation improves. " about Congressional Bill to Speed Up Short Sales
on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 @ 9:15 AM
Lisa Zeiner said
"We made an offer 4 months ago to BofA, and have heard nothing. It was a cash offer which is better than the zero money they are collecting now. And since the people don't care they are trashing the place, by the time BofA gets around to it our offer will be gone as the place is a mess!! Septic issues now, garbage being dumnped. All of this could have been avoided if BofA really wanted to correct their cash flow problem and sell these properties in a timely manner. They cry about cash but then do nothing intelligent to fix the problem" about Congressional Bill to Speed Up Short Sales
on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 @ 9:06 AM
Jones Ramirez said
"Thank you for the work you have done into this post, it helps clear up a few questions I had." about How do appraiser’s determine a homes value?
on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 @ 10:07 PM
HollyRobsonf said
"Hey - I am certainly happy to find this. great job!" about Bank of America to Offer Principal Reduction to Underwater Borrowers
on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 @ 6:45 PM