COVID-19; A horrifying pandemic crisis that the world is facing right now. As the situation is affecting many sectors around the globe, real estate isn’t left behind. The raging effect of COVID-19 has created a major void in the market. This resulted in a huge downfall with respect to the world market and economy. Let us look deep into the Foreclosure And Short Sales Market.

Many services offered by the real estate market like walkthroughs, rentals, etc. had been hard hit by the virus. As these aren’t the only services that have suffered, other facilities like foreclosure and short sales have also been adversely affected. In this blog, we will tell you How COVID-19 has affected the Foreclosure and Short Sales Market.

The Imprint of Coronavirus on the Foreclosure and Short Sales Market

As everyone is witnessing the catastrophic situation of coronavirus, its effects are also visible with respect to the economy. The loss industries have been facing is immense and would take a while to make up for the loss. Although, the foreclosure market is going through an uptick. According to the research by FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) says there’s an evident index downfall of approximately 7.7 percent (noted on March 9, 2020).

If this goes on for some time, it would be difficult for homeowners to keep up with the monthly mortgage payments. It will later result in increased foreclosure cases, although it is tough to predict the real estate market. As facts state, in some states, the mortgage payments are being held for some time until the pandemic contains.

Coronavirus has Pushed Mortgage Rates Lower

The coronavirus outbreak has made the Federal Reserve take two emergency rate cuts. This apparently brought the bond yields to almost zero. The usual 30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage has dropped to 3.29% (noted on 5 March). As stated in the records, previously the 30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage was lowest in the year 2012 amid the recession when it hit 3.31%. Additionally, the 15-year-fixed-rate-mortgage also fell by 16 basis points to 2.79% according to Freddie Mac.

The main cause of the mortgage rates slump is because of the treasury market which has sunken with a lot of margin in the past months. Furthermore, the uncertainty of mortgage rates shall remain in the ditch for a long period.

Corona on Short Sales

When businesses are close around the globe and many of them can’t go on their jobs. So, homeowners have no choice but to sell their houses for a living. Homeowners with no jobs have the only choice but to sell their houses for the bare minimum profits. This measure is to perform their regular routine and satiate their daily needs. A short sale can cost less than a foreclosure to the lender. This always proves to be the most viable way for lenders to minimize the loss and improve profits. Additionally, a short sale might not damage the credit score of a homeowner.

If you have a hefty amount of mortgage to repay then your only possible option is to fulfill the amount. You can do it by selling your house to a cash-buying company.  As there is a rapid increase in short sales it is evident that problems like unresponsive lenders, misplaced documents, erroneous or unrealistic home value assessments, and prolonging processes may make the whole process difficult. In such a chaotic situation, Elite Properties is one such company that will help you sell your home fast for cash on a fair market value. We also buy your house as-is. We won’t ask for any lengthy documentation process, which automatically cuts the hassles of a troublesome sale.

You can call us at 7189775462 or visit us at Elite Properties NY to learn more about the home selling process with us. Where everyone around the world is going through the pandemic crisis we’ll help you be at ease with the home selling or short sale process.

Property values have levitated and tumbled over the past decade, but one thing will always remain the same, the value of your home will be associated with the value of other homes in your market. Many homeowners know the amount they have invested in their property including monthly mortgage, but not everyone knows what the current value of their property holds. So, how does it matter? If you are intended to continue living in your current house for the foreseeable future and repaying your mortgage then why would you care about its current market value?

There are a whole lot of reasons to know your home’s current market value such as – Insurance purposes, financial future planning, property tax, relocation, downsizing, or trading up, the possibilities are so many.

Online Research

In recent years, a proliferation of online resources has emerged to provide you with an answer before you actually consult any person in the specialized field. There are many websites at your service which offer an online home value evaluation. Such platforms help in examining the data for an estimate.

You would be asked to enter information about the property. Such as detailed measurement of the carpet area, super built-up area (in square feet), date of construction – completion, and the number of rooms, etc. After you have entered all the information given above, the online estimator will evaluate the property’s market value.

Other public records like property transfers, deeds of ownership along with tax assessments could predict your home’s value based on recent sales and listing prices.

BPO or CMA

In real estate broker price opinion is often associated with short sales and foreclosure, but many homeowners and companies like relocation firms call for them. While collaborating with buyers and sellers for listing price or examination value before acquisitions, real estate agents do a comparative market analysis.

A BPO or CMA is another method of estimating your home’s worth. Such evaluation methods rely on the recent sale value of similar properties in the local area or vicinity.

FHFA Index Calculator

Homeowners that are wary of AVMs could opt for the FHFAs House Index Price calculator. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s House Price Index (HPI) is a broad measure of the movement of single-family house prices. The HPI calculator gives you an idea of how much your house is worth, and how its value of it has changed over the past years. The calculator is designed to help you understand the estimated value of your house.

Hire A Professional Appraiser

An appraisal is mandatory for any lender prior to approving a mortgage and carrying out an estimate. Hiring an appraiser is essential for a proficient outlook.  He will assess the condition of your home and provide an expert opinion on its estimated market value.

Things an appraiser will consider before evaluating the property are-

• Verification of property’s existence, acknowledging the location and address in detail

• Examination of the outdoors

• A 360-degree evaluation of the exteriors of the home or the respective property

• Listing down pros like – lakes, shopping centers, parks, etc. will add up to the seen desirability of the home

• Verification of the area in square footage for accuracy in the database

• Evaluation of the prevailing room numbers

• Current conditions of the attic, basement, and garage including their measurements

• Checking for damages (if any) in the property

• Testing functionality and appearance of permanent features such as built-in appliances

• Testing workability of the HVAC systems

• Comparing recently sold homes in your area with your property to determine your home’s market value

Why It Is Important To Know Your Home’s Value?

If you are on the seller’s board then it is incredibly beneficial for knowing the property’s worth, as it helps to derive the estimate or listing price. Even if you are not planning to sell the house, it still stands useful for many reasons.

The benefits of finding a home’s value don’t end with a purchase or sale: Refinances, home equity lines of credit, insurance premiums, and annual property taxes are all based on home value

Determining a property’s worth would allow for evaluating affordability for things in the future.

How To Increase Your Home’s Value?

Little alterations make a big difference! There are many low-cost ways to add value to the home. Homeowners that can afford renovations can opt for it. Given below are some points you can consider to increase your property’s worth –

• Spacing up and removing excess or unwanted furniture

• Upgrading your kitchen, repairing breakages and polishing helps grab the attention of a buyer

• Beautify and keep the bathroom clean

• Painting dead walls and adding beautiful pieces that add to the beautification of the place

• Replacing upholstery, rugs, and carpets

• Hire a certified home inspector

Final Word

The tips for the assessment of your house’s worth given above would surely help you. Whether you want to sell it or just for an idea about the investment you have made to date in your property.

Furthermore, you can contact reputed real estate companies in NY like ‘Elite Properties’ to keep you safe from real estate crises and help in the smooth sailing of your plan of action for the coming times.

Buying your house might have probably been one of the most significant investments you’ve ever made as a homeowner. But as time passes you might feel like your “All American Dream” fell a bit short. As much as buying a house is difficult, it is also quite daunting to selling house when you’re in need.

Spending every lunch break and recess time surfing through the local real estate listings might help you in knowing the current market value of your property, but it’ll never tell you the right time to sell it. Trusting your basic instincts and moving forward with selling your house might lead you to a large pit rather than filling your bank with dollar bills. Well, if you are confounded with the jejune offers you got for your property, step down from selling your house. Our life can take unrealistic and unpredictable turns here and there. This might leave us in a financial crisis or even a mental crisis. Maybe it might also force you to sell your hard-earned house to meet your immediate money needs. But, you must make sure that selling your home should be your last resort before jumping to conclusions.

Knowing the right time to sell your house has always been challenging and a daunting task. One must be aware of all the market trends and anti-swindler strategies before ripping off the Band-Aid and selling his/her house.

Here are some signs which can help you to understand that it is officially the time to part ways with your house…

1. Your Family Grew and Doesn’t Fit In Anymore

Your current house must have felt perfectly comfortable when you were newlyweds. Well, a 2bhk apartment or a condo must have been sufficient for both of you. But as time passed by, you began thinking of adding a new member to your family. Times were joyous and momentous with the new baby’s arrival, and you were living the dream. Fast forwarding a few more years, now you have a dog, toddler, and a new baby on the way which makes your house ill-fitting for accommodating all. This is the moment you must decide you need a bigger home to provide for the needs of everyone.

While searching for the optimal house, make sure your kids get independent rooms to sleep in and have ample space for storing all toys and amenities (especially for babies). Getting a house within a limited period might be challenging, so it would be a wise decision if you start looking for remodeled homes or hire an experienced real estate agent.

2. You Know The Market is Active and Strong

Living in a potential property market can be intriguing and at the same time exciting. The constant proposals from real estate agents and brokers making your mornings miserable and the periodic ‘sold-out’ boards that pop up in your neighborhood might urge you in selling the house. And don’t forget how your neighbor managed to gain a fortune just by selling his/her house.

The key to finding whether it’s the right time to sell your home depends on the market. If the market is hot, you must go for it without any second thoughts. For example, consider you bought your house in the late 2008s for a whopping $870,000. Within a decade your locality has flourished, and the property market has shot up with the arrival of a new highway or a metro station. Now, you might have offers for your house starting from a minimum of $1,050,000. You got two options, either wait for the price to upsurge more or sell it now and start fresh somewhere else with a hefty profit.

3. You Are in Need Of Some Immediate Money

We’ve mentioned how life can take unexpected turns. If selling your house is your only way out from a gruesome incident, then you must go for it. But, make sure selling your home is your last resort and not your first option. The money you get from selling your house can indeed help you out of this temporary financial situation, but it will leave open the gates for a homeless life if you don’t plan the whole situation with negligence.

Selling your house to “we buy houses for cash” companies might be the best alternative if you need some immediate money.

4. Your House No Longer Fits Your Lifestyle

If your lifestyle has changed drastically in these past years and your house isn’t providing you with all your needs, then you must consider selling your home. Well, what would you do with a mansion, when all your kids have moved out and you barely use the rooms apart from the living room and bedroom you sleep in?

Another scenario can be jobs. Your company might assign you to a different place for job purposes which in turn extends your commute. What if your new office is on the other side of the state? Selling your house and looking for a new one in the locality of your new office might be the best possible solution you have. Finding a new home immediately might be difficult. Hiring a professional property agent and signing for a remodeled house can meet your immediate house needs.

5. You Need To Save Yourself From Foreclosure

Facing foreclosure? Selling your home to save yourself from foreclosure is a pretty good idea if you have no other way to pay your defaulted mortgage. Inform your mortgage provider and agree with listing your house under short sales. Short sales will grab the attention of many property dealers, property agents, and potential property buyers. If you are lucky enough you can land a great deal that can save you both from foreclosure and bankruptcy. Well, all you need is a short sales expert by your side.

6. You Have a Distressed Property

Keeping a distressed property or being an owner of distressed property is a headache. The trouble of finding a buyer or any interested agents might be challenging. Since these properties aren’t in good shape with almost nil repairs and refurbishments, assigning a proper price tag for these houses can get really tricky. Most of the owners might nod unwillingly for a price tag that is far too less than the market value.

Keeping hold of distressed property is a hectic situation where the owner might even be willing to sell the property at half the price. Well, it all depends on the buyer’s ability to negotiate. So, selling your distressed property won’t help you much financially, but it can eliminate any future complications. Selling your house to companies that buy houses in any condition can be a great opportunity to start your career in real estate.

Conclusion

There are many “we buy houses for cash” companies in the market. Selling your house to companies that buy houses for cash can help you land a great deal without any hassle. Hiring a real estate agent might be the best possible decision you can take in selling your house immediately.

The aggrandizement of services that aid homebuyers and sellers in completing their own real estate needs is relatively recent, and it may have left you pondering whether procuring a real estate agent is becoming a relic of a bygone era. Hiring real estate agent is a daunting task. Going solo when it comes down to real estate might save you a handful sum of money. And you can cut down the significant commissions you need to pay the agents.

Well, the question is:

Would you rather try flying solo or reach out for a helping hand? 

Hiring Real Estate Agent may save you a lot of money as well as time.

Buying or selling a property even in a buyer’s market is challenging and time-consuming. A significant proportion of people don’t trust or rely on real estate agents to meet their needs. However, these guys will be forever missing the luxuries of what a real estate agent can bring to their plates. Buying and selling properties indeed take time, and with the help of the right expert, one can surely save a lot of time and make things hassle-free for themself.

Here’s how hiring a real estate agent can assure you of achieving the ‘all-time American Dream’ of owning a property in your name…

1. Hiring an Expert

Rather than being entitled as an agent, they prefer being called experts. Real estate agents are the best when it comes to their line of business. You’ll experience the pinnacle of professional real estate services by hiring a property expert. Right from negotiations to the final settlement of the price, they’ll act as a loyal mediator between you and the seller omitting you from all the hectic formalities and paperwork.

Negotiation is a tricky business, and there’s an excellent chance that the other party can easily bamboozle one without an adequate record of experience in this line of business. A real estate expert has enough experience when it comes down to revealing all the ambushes and deceptions and taking countermeasures. So, whether you are selling a property or buying one, hiring a real estate expert will always give you the upper hand.

2. Are The Encyclopedias of Property Listings

Finding a house with your specific interests can be challenging. If you are a working person who rarely gets time to spare, this becomes even more challenging. Moreover, what if the house with your interests is on the other side of the state? This is where a real estate agent comes in handy! They have an enormous database of property listings that can match your interests. Tell them what kind of house, neighborhood, or even locality you need. They can present you with the shortlisted properties which resemble your attention. All you need to do is pick one.

Most real estate agents have a secure and robust network when it comes to property listings. They make use of these networks to keep in touch with all the property owners and sellers all over the state. A real estate agent can not only experience hassle-free services but also be given access to the network mentioned above of extensive property listings.

3. Saves Time and Money

Roaming around your locality or neighboring state in search of available properties can drastically eat your time and money. Well, we would say there’s no point in drifting along with the current without a destination or goal. With the aid of a property dealer, the path toward your target will be apparent, and you can set the course at full speed. Property dealings always include a lot of paperwork and legal procedures and don’t forget the expenses too. A real estate agent can volunteer for you to take all the trouble of hefty paperwork and costs providing you with the ownership of the property or house.

For example, selling a property that is listed under foreclosure or short sale is pretty challenging and hectic. Most of you might feel like you are going through the most terrible phase of your life. With the property listed under foreclosure or short sales even, interested buyers might back off thinking of all the legal troubles they might need to go through. By hiring an experienced real estate agent, selling your foreclosed or distressed properties will be quicker and more straightforward.

Still not convinced about hiring a real estate agent?

Let us brief you on a few more scenarios in the real estate business. When stepping into the real estate business, most of you might have come across the terms like foreclosure, short sales, distressed properties, estate sales, probate sales, and much more. Hiring a real estate agent will make it easy to acquire properties that are under these complex scenarios.

a. Real Estate Agent For Foreclosure

Foreclosure of property occurs when the borrower fails in paying the mortgage he/she is obliged to pay the property owner. Even though the number of foreclosed properties is gradually decreasing in number these days, they still do exist. As for a buyer looking for potential property, there’s a fair chance that a foreclosed property might exactly be the house in his/her dreams. However, the reality is pretty much harsh. Instead of a smiling face handing over the key to the property, you’ll be welcomed with a ton of paperwork and legal procedures which can even last up to a minimum of seven months. The same happens when you are trying to sell one too.

With a real estate expert who knows his way around the market and its characteristics, selling or buying a property in foreclosure doesn’t plot an issue. Since they are experts in their line of business, finding a buyer for your foreclosed home will be more comfortable. Their motto is to help you by leaving you out of all the troubles by providing a hassle-free business deal. You need to select the shortlisted buyers provided by the agent who is willing to give you a fair deal for the property.

b. Real Estate Agent For Short Sales

A short sale specialist or a lawyer? This might be the first question that comes to your head when planning to list your property for short sales. Opting for a short sale specialist rather than sticking to a lawyer can help you in many ways. Since lawyers only know about legal procedures that need to be presented in the court regarding the property they won’t do much help in advising what to do and what not to do when going for a short sale.

A short sale specialist has completed thousands of these cases. He is much more experienced when it comes to such scenarios. They can even find you a proper buyer for your property who can provide you with a fair and desired price. Don’t forget that the legal procedures will be taken over by the agent itself. It’ll indirectly imply they’ll be providing everything a lawyer can provide.

c. Real Estate Agent For Distressed Properties

Distressed properties have always been a headache for property dealers. These are the properties that are rarely maintained or nearly distressed but still pack a punch. Finding potential buyers for your distressed property can be challenging and daunting without a property expert. They are professionals in negotiating and convincing buyers to buy the property. The same goes when you are planning to buy a distressed property to save your wallet. Since every distressed property isn’t approachable even though they look promising from the outside. An expert beside you who knows what to look for in distressed property and understands its market value can land you a great deal without hurting your pocket.

The Bottom line

Investing in hiring a real estate agent will always be a boon when planning to buy or sell a property. They can lead and guide you in the right way to meet all your real estate needs.

Are you trying to sell or buy a property under short sale?

You probably must have heard the term “short sales” a lot in these past years. Short sales are something we hear more often when it comes down to the real estate area. Short Sale meaning isn’t something every commoner will understand. So, let us be more clear on the topic here. A short sale is when someone sells his house, with the awareness and approval of the mortgage lender for less than what he/she owes to the lender. If the lender accepts the terms, then you can proceed with selling the property.

For example, consider you’ve defaulted on the payments and your mortgage lender has filed a foreclosure in the bank against the property. Panicking won’t do anything when you are facing foreclosure. You can talk with the lender and put your property on short sale hoping for other buyers to buy the property. So, you owe your lender $500,000 but, the new interested buyer is only willing to pay $400,000 for the property. You might not be in a situation to pay off the difference amount too. So, convincing your lender to agree to a less amount than you owe is short sales.

Most lenders and banks agree to the terms as this is time-consuming and a lot of hassle. The final result is a win-win situation as the seller is no longer saddled with the debt and the buyer gets the property at a bargain price.

So, if you are selling or buying a property and are considering short sales in real estate, here are the top things you need to know before proceeding with short sales and fixing the deal…

Know the Difference Between Short Sales and Foreclosure

This is something most of you might get confused about. Short sales and foreclosure are entirely different scenarios. In a foreclosure, the role of the homeowner is slightly less than in short sales. People who try to avoid foreclosure by working out a deal with the lender or bank usually go for short sales. And there isn’t any tension about evicting the previous owners in short sales as in foreclosure. Well, things do get messy in foreclosure!

Unlike a foreclosure, short sales in real estate don’t impact your credit much. Still, it’ll damage your credit score but not for as long as the damage done by a foreclosure. You’ll even have the chance to apply for a home loan for two years while in short sales.

Takes A Lot of Time

A short sale doesn’t refer to the time involved as the whole term is somewhat misleading. A short sale can take up to five to nine months to close; sometimes even longer. If it’s the bank you are dealing with, don’t expect the bank to come to you and tell you how much it would accept for the property. So, what you must make sure of is that while negotiating with the interested buyer, you should get the price that has been approved by the lender or the bank for the property.

Finding a suitable buyer to buy a short-sale property or buy a short-sale house can be troublesome without the help of an experienced short-sale negotiator. So, the whole short sale process is time consuming and a bit nettling.

Make Sure You Are Eligible For Short Sales

Saving your property by avoiding foreclosure with short sales seems pretty alluring. But, have you cross-checked your eligibility for proceeding with the short sale services? You must meet all the criteria and might require written proof stating your eligibility from the bank or the mortgage lender. This itself will be time-consuming but have patience!

For being eligible for short sales, you must owe more money to the bank or the lender than the house’s total worth. If you are eligible for any loan modification, then you can rule out all the possibilities of a short sale approval. Written proof that states you can no longer afford the monthly payment and any proof of financial hardships, like being laid off or divorced or having excessive medical bills will make you eligible for proceeding with a short sale.

Make sure you pass all these eligibility criteria before even trying for short sales as this is full of hassle and time-consuming.

It’s Time You Consider a Helping Hand

Buying or selling the short-sale property will be a lot more troublesome if you are planning to go ahead alone. You’ll be facing a lot of pressure mentally and emotionally through the whole process. The first thing you need to do is find a trustworthy agent to sort out your problem. A real estate agent who’s experienced in every aspect of real estate can make a huge difference especially if you are selling short-sale property.

The short sale process involves a lot of legal procedures and paper works. It will leave you frustrated in no time. A Short Sale specialist who’s familiar with all these stages will help you push further without any difficulties. Well, the time flies, and you need to act more quickly in finding a buyer, or you can still face foreclosure.

Conclusion

Keeping your patience and confidence is the main key to every successful short sale. The right agent who knows his way around will be a boosting factor when going for short sales in real estate. Also, beware of the cunning smiling-faced agents who disguise and mislead you by offering a helping hand when you are vulnerable.

An Elite Page With Abundant Information on Real Estate and Much More

Real Estate is one of the finest investment strategies you can look forward to if considered seriously. It indeed isn’t child’s play. One might become a millionaire or easily lose property worth his lifetime savings just in a blink of an eye. Well, every business has its pros and cons. And Elite Properties will help you to get best offer. But that doesn’t make the real estate business something you should leave only for white-collared professionals. Everyone got a shot at real estate. This is the only profession where you can clearly see how much you have escalated both mentally and financially.

We, Elite Properties have been one of the prominent real estate companies in New York City since 2009. Throughout our 9 years of thriving for success, we have learned and practiced many strategies which will impact a drastic inclination on your success graph. With a determined motto for sharing the information we acquired, Elite Properties are starting a blog that only contains legit information on all real estate-related conveyancing and vendor ship. Through this blog, we intend to share all the pivot information and tips for a fast and hassle-free real estate business.

What Elite Properties Have to Offer You?

Elite properties are one of the top-notch real estate platforms in NYC. We help you buy and sell a house in a hassle-free manner. Property consultants at Elite Properties are extremely professional. They have years of experience in dealing with all kinds of real estate matters. Here’s why you should opt for Elite Properties to buy a house in New York.

• Unbiased Approach –

  Customer-eccentricity is the key feature of Elite Properties. They value the time and money of their customers. Rather than making tall claims, they are committed to satisfying the needs of their clients.

• Thorough Evaluation –

  Consultants at Elite Properties provide you with an honest market analysis and exact portfolio valuations. The valuable insight will help you understand the current trends in the real estate market in NYC.

• Clear Objectives –

  Depending on your financial status they recommend the best property deals for you. They keep everything transparent and along with the benefits. They will make you understand the risks associated with the real estate sector.

Buying or selling a property when it’s under some legal consequences or formalities is hectic and daunting if not proceeded cautiously. People who don’t know much about real estate and the jargon might really feel like they are running around circles when it comes to selling or buying. Real Estate agents and dealers take advantage of this situation. They convince their clients to accept an unfair offer on their property. It would be too late when they finally realize they have been framed. Being a regular visitor to our blog will help you to get a hang of all the recent updates on real estate and its hurdles.

So, if you are facing any trouble in understanding what real estate is and the things adjoining it like foreclosure, short sales, estate sales, probate sales, trustee, distressed properties, tenants, or anything else related to the aforementioned things, the Elite Properties blog should definitely be one among your bookmarks. Our blogs will also be covering all the tips and tricks you must follow to buy or sell your property quickly. We’ll also let you know which locality is reigning ahead in the real estate business so that if you have a property nearby it would be high time you thought of selling it.