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May 30, 2011

Know the negotiation tips for buying a home in Hawaii

After someone has identified the Hawaii home of their dreams comes the time to make an offer to the seller. The process is not as easy as it sounds and can become very complicated if not followed properly.

The buyer can propose a strong offer to the seller. It means that the buyer can propose a reasonable offer depending on the property value estimation. Taking into many in consideration the buyer should provide a good estimate for the price so that the seller is not insulted. If someone is buying a property outside their country then the local customs should be known by talking to a realtor first and then dealings should be made with the seller

Enough room should be left for negotiation; if the buyer presents a price and the seller rejects it then negotiation should take place. If the buyer asks for 80% of the price, the seller may decline and ask for more then the former can ask for a 5 percent increase and the process goes on until a fixed ending sale price is decided upon.

The buyer should make the entire offer in writing and avoid disputes related to ambiguity. Clearly written offer give no space for confusion. Plus a loan pre approval letter can be sent to the seller. In addition to all this a personal letter can be attached lightening up the situation. A personal letter may include why the buyer liked the home for purchase, details about his family and children etc. the personal letter can be hand written whilst the offer letter is type written to avoid any mistakes.

The most important thing in dealing is to first assess what the seller wants, it may be large amount of first time deposit instead of a delayed full time payment. Sometimes the seller wants quick monthly installment payments etc. therefore it is necessary to assess what they want first and give it to them accordingly.

The buyer must keep their word of mouth, this relates to negotiating in good faith. Once they decide on a payment mode they should keep their word. If the payment is decided to be made in advance then it should be done so. The price decided upon by both should be maintained throughout.

The contract made needs to deal with every issue leaving no space for anyone to wonder. Like mentioned above anything in writing has more value. Thus all the conditions must be mentioned in a written contract letter. If one is confused about the conditions to put in a contract then they must consult with professionals such s a lawyer or a realtor.

At the end all that can be said is that the process of buying a house is very alluring it’s a very exciting process for everyone I the family. If the buying process is made uncomplicated and easy then the entire process of buying becomes extremely easy and easy to deal with.

Posted in Real Estate
May 28, 2011

The Pros and Cons of Living in a Hawaii Condominium

Are you looking for a new place to live? Perhaps you are not into renting anymore, or recently got rid of a lot of your things, and want to scale down on your living space. Moving to a Hawaii condo is the most logical step after your kids have become adults and left, or once you as a young adult have graduated and want to start living in a cheaper, small place. There are some advantages and disadvantages to condominiums that you may want to know before purchasing one.

The Pros of Living in a Condominium

1)   You are Secure. Condominium complexes provide one of the best security services that have gates with hire guards and CCTV cameras monitoring the property 24 hours every day. If you vouch more for safety, you will feel safer knowing the property administrators are always keeping watch.

2)   Amenities. To attract the residents and potential buyers, the condominium complexes offer good features such as a gym, swimming pools and a clubhouse for social events that one might want to partake in. There are also social events that are hosted throughout the year, and through them you can know your neighbors better and lead a healthy social life.

3)   You get Upgrades. Condominiums that are new usually come with more innovative fixtures and appliances. You may also have the freedom to choose the way your condominium looks by choosing the type of carpeting, the color of the wall, the wallpapers and type and color of the tiles anywhere in the house.

4)   It is convenient. If you are looking at living in a smaller place, the condominiums offer a spacious enough property that will not overwhelm you. You can be comfortable without feeling like you are hoarding everything. Also, many condominiums in recent times tend to build shops and shopping complexes within their community, so you walk to a movie or the grocery. This saves a lot of time and costs.

The Cons of Living in a Condominium

1)   Issues with Privacy. Sometimes your condominium may be attached to another one. This may cause issues if you have noisy neighbors playing loud music or is always parking in your space. This may causes issues with adjusting, as not everyone is comfortable or quick to adapt with an environment such as this. Although bad neighbors are not only limited to condominium, it may increase your problems.

2)   Assessments – A lot of condominium complexes have assessments that determine if there are repairs that need to be made. The money to keep the condominium up to date and modern comes from the residents. Before buying a condominium, ensure that the assessment is about to come up; so that you do not get a large bill that you have to pay.

3)   The Space. Some condominiums usually prefer open, large spaces given that you paid the required value for it. But if you prefer a more elite type of space with gourmet kitchens or a big garage to hold your belongings, you will want to research your options thoroughly before moving into the place you want. 

Latest Honolulu Condos for sale

$85,000

Bishop St, Honolulu — Century Square

Tenant occupied. Shown by apt. call agent..531-5677 or 371-1966.

  • Beds –
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure LH
  • SqFt. 400
  • MLS 1106547

 

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$382,000

320 Ainakea Wy, Honolulu — Hale O Nai'a

Rarely available. Must see! Spacious unit in boutique condo. Completely renovated, spacious unit at the end of Waikiki. Fully furn...

  • Beds 2
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 774
  • MLS 1106546

 

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$379,500

411 Hobron Ln, Honolulu — Chateau Waikiki

Highly desirable. 31st floor in one of Waikiki's most popular buildings Chateau Waikiki. Diamond Head, ocean views. Perfect locat...

  • Beds 1
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 540
  • MLS 1106544

 

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$355,000

1765 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu — Ilikai Marina

Ilikai Marina is literally one of the closest fee simple condos to the water in all of Waikiki! Enjoy panoramic marina, ocean and ...

  • Beds 1
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 651
  • MLS 1106541

 

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$349,000

1720 Huna St, Honolulu — Nuuanu Park Place

Great location, you are minutes from everything. Property situated next to Liliuokalani Park and is a pet friendly building! Des...

  • Beds 3
  • Baths 2.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 950
  • MLS 1106531

 

$688,000

1230 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu — Moana Pacific

Corner, End unit on the 34 rd floor with breathtaking views of ocean,mountain,city, form diamond Head to Manoa,3 bdroom, 2 bath, 2...

  • Beds 3
  • Baths 2.0
Posted in Condos
May 27, 2011

Selling your Oahu Real Estate for the Most Value

For every seller, their priority is finding ways to sell their Oahu home for the best value, thus, maximizing their profit. Here are some suggestions for you that will help you achieve this.

First, you should know that every house has a potential buyer. Different people buy houses for different reasons. Some people choose their house based on the quality of the neighborhood, some choose their house with the proximity of their work place or their schools, or even their family and friends, while others choose their house based on how big or small it is. Everyone has different needs that must be met.

If you want your home to be sold, you must first price it correctly. You need to do some research, and the resources are easily available when pricing a home properly. For free, many Realtors provide comparative market analysis. You can find out the home seller prices of your neighborhood by checking out the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, on the internet. This gives you a brief idea on what potential worth your house can be. To find values of similar homes in the area, the county tax assessor’s office can provide you with some statistics. Professional appraisers can be hired in order to assess the fair market value of the home that you are selling. There are many tools that you use at the same time to attach a price tag to your house that is competitive.

Although people are willing to spend a lot of money for homes, not many want, or do not have the funds after buying the house to provide renovation or repairs areas of the house. Thus, the seller has to take the initiative to make the home in top shape when selling it. Some important areas of the house such as the bathroom and the kitchens have to be working and modern. The equipment in these places need to be in good shape and has to have regular maintenance.

The house looks significantly more appealing to potential buyers if it has been freshly painted, and there are clean carpets. Removing all the rubbish and extra unnecessary items to make it feel less clustered can help the buyer visualize the place as their own. The yard and the outside also need to be well organized, by applying the ‘curb appeal.’ Trimmed lawns and some landscaping help in the curb appeal of the house. The sidewalks also need to be cleaned of leaves and other dirt, so as it make it stand out from all the houses in the block. The curb appeal is important for a lot of buyers because when what the house is like from the outside gives a major first impression.

One of the other ways to increase the potential value of your house is buying staging the house. You can attend houses of model homes or open houses in order to get ideas on how to stage a home. Other tweaks such moving or removing furniture, giving a modern look to the walls with neutral colors, replacing the lights and hardware can all aid in a sale. Other simple changes such as new bedding, fresh carpets, and colorful windows can update the room and make it more appealing to the buyer.

If you follow these suggestions, and do some research, you can undoubtedly get the best value for your home. 

Posted in selling
May 26, 2011

Hawaii Beachfront Homes

When purchasing Hawaii Beachfront Homes- Things Need To Consider

Buying a Hawaii beachfront home can be very exciting. Definitely a great buy with lots of possibilities. You can use the home for rental or use it as your own home and enjoy the beach and all the beauty that goes with the life around you. There are just some things you should consider when purchasing Hawaii real estate for you to have a better buying opportunity that has the potential to last longer and become long-term investment it is imagined.

1. The price range in the location of the sea facing home - Beachfront properties tend to be quite expensive. It is not just the property itself, but also all the expenses that come with ownership, such as community fees if any, facing the sea, specific maintenance rates at home, and the likes. Make sure that when considering buying a waterfront property, you know what the costs that come with it and you are able to keep up with them.

2. The condition of the place where the house is (or will be) integrated. - The place where the house is standing on something you should be very particular in the search for properties by the sea. Check if this is a place that is submerged at high tide and if the soil tends to be too muddy when tides are in. It's a shame to be so close to a beach and yet has to walk through mud ground only to get there. Check the level of erosion in the area where you buy the property by the sea. If soil erosion is very bad, cannot be a good investment because the soil can only disappear slowly from under your home for several years.

3. Check for additional costs of owning a house on the property. - There are many rules and regulations that come with owning property by the sea. There are places where you can get private access to the beach, and there are places where you have to pay an annual fee for the privilege. There are limits to what kind of structures can be built. Make sure you know what for you know what you can plan to build in the future, and also know what the neighbors can build around and be prepared for that. There are some communities in the city, where you have to pay the fees of an owner. Talk to the locals to know what kind of fees they are giving.

4. Find a property close to the type of activity you enjoy the beach. - Land beachfront property varies in many ways. Different people like to do different things on the beach. Some like to watch from the shore, some like to swim, some people like to fish. The best thing is to find a place that takes you closer to the activity of their choice.

Latest Honolulu Beachfront property

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$1,025,000

2161 Kalia Rd, Honolulu — Waikiki Shore

WAIKIKI BEACHFRONT! High floor unit nicely upgraded in Castle Rental Program. Panoramic views of Ocean, Beach, Coastline, Sunsets ...

  • Beds 1
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 721
  • MLS 1106433

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$1,150,000

2161 Kalia Rd, Honolulu — Waikiki Shore

Beautifully renovated and preferred '06' 1 bedroom. Good rental income with Outrigger rental program. Waikiki Shore known to thos...

  • Beds 1
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 706
  • MLS 1106220

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$640,000

2161 Kalia Rd, Honolulu — Waikiki Shore

Spectacular studio overlooking white sandy beach. Newly renovated with top furnishings. Unit can be combined with #606 for very la...

  • Beds –
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 347
  • MLS 1106219

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$193,333

4999 Kahala Ave, Honolulu — Kahala Beach

Bright apartment on the top floor of Kahala Beach overlooking tropical Koi ponds & entry water features. Enjoy treetop tropical br...

  • Beds 2
  • Baths 2.0
  • Tenure LH
  • SqFt. 1,555
  • MLS 1106149

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$145,000

84265 Farrington Hwy, Waianae — Makaha Shores

Island style studio w/ murphy bed is the perfect get-a-way. Ocean view is dramatic. Owner-occupant buyers may be eligible to recei...

  • Beds –
  • Baths 1.0
  • Tenure FS
  • SqFt. 323
  • MLS 1106098

 

Posted in Real Estate
May 25, 2011

How To Choose an Unbelievable Beautiful Honolulu Residence for Your Family

One of the basic human needs is shelter, which is known to us as a house, where we live and grow together with our family. We all dream of having our own home, a home that we bought with our hard earned income. We want a house that we can be proud of and usually want to get one that fits our lifestyle and make our family comfortable.

Buying a new home is not easy. You have to consider several important things, and it is essential that you choose a house that will make you happy, comfortable and satisfied. You do not want to waste the money you save just to pay the down payment or pay the mortgage for several years in a house that you just dislike. Therefore, it is crucial that you think carefully before deciding on the house to buy.

Here are the main things you should consider before choosing a house.

1.) Location and Exterior View
when buying a house, the first thing you should consider is location. Is the home near shopping, schools, and bars? It is important that your residence is near a school for their children do not have to travel far to go to school. The school is also a sign of development within an area. Having restaurants and shopping nearby is also an advantage for you and your family can have dinner or a walk whenever you want. In addition, a good view out of the house can also inspire and give comfort to a family.

2.) House type, size of room, floor and garage
We all have different types of house that before buying one must first decide what you want your home to look. You should ask questions like how many rooms you like, what color you want for the walls, and how big you want each room, and how everything you want your garage.

3.) Availability of public services
It is important that you seek or ask the seller about the availability of water, telephone, electricity and other necessary public services. Are all utilities installed or still be used for installation? Get the facts beforehand.

4.) Public Transport
Ensure that public transport is available to you will not be difficult to travel from time to time and being late for work.

5.) Budget range including mortgages
Know all the costs of buying the house you want, compare the prices of houses and not buying in a hurry. If you are planning to apply for a mortgage, make sure you know exactly the interest on your loan and get the best mortgage that fits your budget.

6.) The opinion of others
It would be better to have your family or some friends out to the house and give their opinions. Listen to what they have to say before you buy your dream home.

7.) Taxes
be aware of all taxes to be paid. Many home buyers first time not being told they have to pay some taxes and it is too late when they realize that their cost of living is higher than expected and they are spending more because of these taxes.

Be prepared to buy your Honolulu dream home and make sure you buy the best, most comfortable and affordable home for you and your family. Think carefully before making a final decision.

Posted in Real Estate
May 24, 2011

A HAWAII HOME BUYING STEP BY STEP TIPS.

Decision to purchase a home can make everyone jittery. But if the entire process is dealt in a step by step process then it becomes very easy.

The first question that comes in mind is the issue of affordability. One must be very direct and true about it. There is use in dreaming of a fairy tale home with little or no savings. Thus one must assess the amount of debt free savings they have and the amount they can spend over real estate purchase. Although the entire process is considered a long time investment it still should not hamper money for daily living and other necessities.

After the financial aspects have been decided upon one must take into account the specific requirements of a house e.g. how big one wants their house to be, how many bedrooms it should have, where it should be stationed, whether there should be a school around or not etc.

Preliminary search can take place on the internet where as secondary research can be made personally. One must go to the site personally to inspect the site. The process should be done over as long period of time. What appear green in the summer might look ugly and colorless in the winter. Thus everything may not seem as tit is always.

Once a good place is selected, Hawaii realtors, lawyers should be acknowledged o carry out all the necessary legal requirements. One must not directly jump onto an asking price but leave room for negotiation and thus finally reach a suitable price good for both the seller and the buyer.

The contract should always be made in writing in order to avoid any kind of ambiguity. Te contract made also needs to deal every issue leaving no space for anyone to wonder. Like mentioned above anything in writing has more value. Thus all the conditions must be mentioned in a written contract letter. If one is confused about the conditions to put in a contract then they must consult with professionals such as a lawyer or a realtor.

All this and more will make the process much easier. Instead of getting confused with numbers and decisions one can follow an easy step by step process while making the final purchase. In any point if anyone is confused and feels they are being cheated then they should not delay any moment and consult with professionals as and whenever they suspect any sort of foul play.

At the end it can be said that the entire process should be made joyous and exciting. The entire family can take part in the process of purchase. Children can go over to the site when the selection of the house is being made. The wife or the spouse should be made a part of the down payment ands the financial decision. No matter what it will take a lot of sacrifice on their part in order to make the final purchase.

Posted in Real Estate
May 22, 2011

How To Sell Your Honolulu Real Estate Fast

You are selling your house by choice or by necessity, but either way you are in a hurry and want to get your money out of the house as quickly as possible.  There are certain things that you can do that will greatly increase your chances of a quick sale.  Follow these ten principles and you may be smiling as you stand at the closing sooner than you think.

 

1. You need to set the right price.  Look around your town or neighborhood and see what buyers have been paying for properties similar to yours.  You need to price your house so that it is attractive to buyers.  What you think your house is worth or what your house has been appraised for is completely irrelevant.  Your house is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

2. Clean it up.  Nothing makes a house harder to sell than clutter.  Get rid of everything that doesn't serve a purpose.  The fewer things you have in your house the bigger it is going to look. Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your house and they can't do that if it is full of your junk.

 

3. Make a good first impression.  Curb appeal is your home's first impression when a potential buyer pulls up and gets out of their car. Make sure that it is a good one.  You really do only get one chance at a first impression.

 

4. Make sure there are no major problems with the house.  Anything that a potential buyer would consider major should have been fixed before you even considered selling your house.  If they weren't then get them fixed now.

 

5. It's all in the details.  Make sure all of the little things are fixed and working.  You should double check everything such as appliances, light switches, and electrical outlets.  Make sure that the carpets and curtains have been cleaned and that none of the doors squeak.

 

6. Get yourself a good Honolulu real estate agent.  A good agent can make the difference between not selling the house at all and getting your asking price.  Ask around and get a recommendation from someone you know.

 

7. Give a buyer an incentive.  Consider including some of your furniture in the sale.  Or offer to pay the closing costs.  You can offer anything that will make a buyer on the fence make a decision in your favor.

 

8. Use the internet.  Traditional methods of selling houses still work, but the internet has provided many more ways of letting people know that your home is for sale.  You can list it on craigslist or start an auction on ebay.  The more people you can get your house in front of the more likely you are to get an offer that you like.

 

9. Stage the house for a quicker sale.  You want to set the house up so that people who come to view it are immediately interested in it.  If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself you can hire someone who does it professionally.

 

10. Don't be there.  Nothing can intimidate a potential buyer more than having the home owner there while they are trying to look around.  They want to be able to open all of the doors, open all of the cabinets, and look behind or inside anything and everything.  Just get out of the house, don't be anywhere near the house when your agent is showing it.  If you have it staged very well you may even consider moving out so that your agent can show it anytime.

 

If you are in a hurry to sell your house you should be willing to do whatever it takes to get that check into your pocket.  Incorporate these ten principles into your plan and not only will you sell your house quickly but you will also be much more likely to get your asking price. 

Posted in selling
May 21, 2011

6 Tips To Stage Your Honolulu Home To Sell

If you are about to put your Honolulu home up for sale and you are concerned that you might not get your asking price or that your house might take a lot longer to sell than you had in mind you may want to consider staging your house. Staging is where you set up your house to get an immediate interest in it from the buyer. You can do this yourself or you can hire someone who does it for a living. If you want to hire someone then your real estate agent should be able to recommend someone. It isn't difficult however, so you will easily be able to do it yourself. Just remember that it involves both the inside and the outside of your house. Here are three important things to consider when staging the inside of your house:

1. Get rid of the clutter. This may be the absolute most important thing that you can do when trying to sell your house. Everything that you do not absolutely need should be removed from the house and stored, preferably somewhere away from the property. You do not want your house to be empty, but it should be closer to empty than full. With fewer things in your house it will look cleaner and appear to be bigger.

2. Closets need to be organized. Go through your closets like you are obsessed with them. Everything should be perfectly sorted and arranged. Your closets when properly organized will appear to be much bigger and big closets help to sell a house.

3. Forget that you live there. Remove anything that personalizes the house to you and your family. Take down family photos and consider hanging some artwork. Remove all of those things you have stuck to your refrigerator. You want potential buyers to be able to easily picture themselves living in the house. That is easier for them if there are no reminders that someone else lives there. After you have finished staging the inside of your house it is time to move on to the outside. A beautiful interior will do you no good if the outside of the house makes a horrible first impression. Here are three important considerations for the outside of your house:

1. Go stand outside near the street and take a good long look at your house. It needs to make a great first impression if you are going to get people interested in it. How does the landscaping look? Does the house need to be painted? You only get one chance at a first impression.

2. Stand in front of your house as if you were going to reach out and unlock the front door. This is the point of view potential buyers will have while they are waiting for the agent to let them into the house. What do you see? Anything that doesn't belong needs to be removed. There should be no weeds, no dead plants, nothing hiding behind the shrubs, and no stains where the gutters or drainpipes leak when it rains.

3. Clean up the back yard. It isn't as important as the front of the house and it isn't going to be the thing that pushes someone into buying, but it can be the thing that costs you the sale. It needs to be cleaned up and manicured just like the front. Follow these six tips for a successful staging of your house. Successful staging will result in you selling your house more quickly and getting a much better price. You will be smiling widely as that check is handed over to you.

Posted in selling
May 19, 2011

Bathroom Renovations- What Are The Important Things You Need To Have

When planning to remodel or rebuild a bathroom is important to carry out all your plans carefully to ensure the fittings and everything in the bathroom you need. What are the things need to have in any bathroom?

No bathroom would be complete without the minimum toilet size and equipments. The toilets could be different sizes for different people but you have take in the consideration your best available size so that you can put the minimum required equipments.

A basin is a must for any bathroom, since it is important for people to wash their hands as soon as you finish in the toilet. Have a basin in your bathroom minimize the spread of germs and bacteria in your home.

In most bathroom have large size bathtub, this may take a lot of space in a bathroom if the bathroom have enough space but if you have small size bathroom then you can get the bathtub a bit smaller than the standard size.

The shower equipments are now one of the main elements of bathroom. It has increased in popularity over the past 20 years. Today it is difficult to find a bathroom without a shower. The choice that has opened for you is whether to go with a separate shower cubicle if bathroom size is small, other than this you would have options for a shower in the bathroom to save space.

As long as you plan to have these fixtures and fittings in the bathroom should have everything to complete the plan.

Before attempting any remodel work you are expected to take several weeks or even a month to make work properly. By doing proper planning you could save a lot of money, a fair bit of time and also avoid the disasters that could occur quite easily. Although most people take plan of remodeling but at the end of renovation the bathroom they found lots of problems.

Bathroom equipments are the finishing touch to any bathroom remodeling job so it's important to get the correct placement of these items, the following tips will help you do the job properly.

 

Always place the holder of toilet paper within reach of toilet and when friends or relatives do not want to do to reach any round uncomfortable every time they need a piece of toilet paper.


Try to place the bath towel as near as possible, but not so close that the towels are wet if anyone splashing in the bath or shower. Have a towel handy in the bathroom when you have finished bathing is always a good idea.

Place the toothbrush holder near the basin. When people clean their teeth similar to rinse and spit and the basin is the most hygienic place to do this.

 

Place a hand towel rail near the basin as well as when people have washed their hands is a good idea to dry their hands immediately instead of having to walk to the main towel to dry your hands.


If you follow these tips for bathroom renovation, you will feel much more comfortable for your daily life. 

Posted in Home Improvement
May 16, 2011

Avoid Foreclosure At All Cost

What exactly is foreclosure? It is a legal process whereby a mortgagee or lien holder (the lender), gets a court ordered termination for the mortgagor's right of redemption. Most generally, a lender will obtain a borrower's security interest. The borrower will pledge an asset, such as their home for securing their loan. Should the borrower default on that loan, the lender would then try to repossess that property. There are courts of equity that are able to grant borrowers an equitable right to redemption, but only if they repay the debt.

 

As long as this equitable right is in place, the lender can't be positive that they can repossess that property successfully. So the lender will look at foreclosing on the borrower's equitable right to redemption. There can be other lien holders who are able to foreclose on that right of redemption to recover other debts, like unpaid contractor's bills, dues paid for the homeowner's association, overdue taxes, or assessments.

 

Keep in mind that lenders don't really want to foreclose. They're just in the business of mortgages, not property management. With this economy in the state it's in now, there's a good chance they'll get the property back rather than get their money.

 

Don't let this confuse you, lenders will ABSOLUTELY foreclose you your home if it's the only recourse they have, but it's usually a last resort. They'd much rather work something out with the home-owners to avoid taking foreclosure steps. Here are some things to do when avoiding foreclosure:

 

1. Catch Your Loan Up - The biggest cause of foreclosures is loss of income. It could be there's no way of catching your loan up. But if you're expecting a new income source in your future, you might benefit highly from getting a short term loan from family or friends.

 

2. Loan Modifications - Many home-owners don't contact the lenders because they don't know what to say, and some are embarrassed. Plus, they're unaware that the lenders might be able to help. Loan modifications are where a bank agrees to lower some of the principal or the interest, or sometimes the payments. But this process won't necessarily stop the ongoing foreclosure. Remember that communication is the best key to these situations.

 

3. Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure - Make sure you get this confirmed with your lender. This is where you give the home to your lender in exchange for a cancellation of your loan. Then the lender gives you a promise not to begin foreclosure proceedings, and they terminate your existing proceedings. This type of option allows you to walk away, it's quick and it's easy, done without a sale, and might hold you in better standing in regard to your credit rating. You should get this in writing and know what is planned as far as making any unpaid payments.

 

4. Foreclosure - Don't do anything and simply let them have the house back. This one has the most impact on your credit. Lenders can sue you for any unpaid amounts, as well as for the difference between the auction price and how much you owed.

 

5. Short Sale - Short sales are when third parties negotiate with lenders, to get them to accept a discounted price on what's owed, giving up their interest in exchange for cash. Sellers cannot benefit from this transaction. In these cases, real estate investors serve you better than realtors. Investors may buy the house, give the bank a purchase agreement at a discount, and help you get out of harms way.

 

If you find yourself behind with payments on your mortgage, and possibly facing foreclosure, then be sure you contact your lenders and maybe some real estate investors to see what actions you can take to avoid foreclosure.