2110 Ivy Road   |   Charlottesville, VA 22903

Answer these questions to determine if purchasing a bank owned home/foreclosure is right for you…

All during the time that we are awaiting closing, mortgage rates will be fluctuating, and if the loan lock deadline passes, you will have to re-apply for the loan and incur any related charges. … It is very unlikely that we will be allowed to occupy the property prior to closing, so you would need to have a backup residence in mind, in case of any delays. If this is your primary home, some sort of temporary living arrangement would need to be made, and it may include moving twice- from your current home to the temporary residence, and the temporary residence to your new home. … Some of the changes that are often arranged in the addenda; tougher restrictions on the Purchaser, shorter timelines for the Purchaser to secure a loan, conduct a home inspection, etc, a larger deposit, deposits to be held in the escrow of the lenders choice, and very few provisions that will allow for the Purchaser to get out of the contract and many ways for the lender/seller to walk. … You will also want to make sure that any liens that may have been held against the previous owners (who may have had difficulty paying many bills, aside from their mortgage) have been released and you will have the ability to purchase the home free and clear of liens and encumbrances.


How Much Will A Short Sale/Foreclosure Hurt My Credit?

I have had a couple of people over the past few months mention that they may consider a short sale, so that they can just get out from under their homes and move on. While the ramifications of a short sale or foreclosure seem to be getting slightly more lenient in light of all of the predatory lending that has occurred in the past several years, they are still significant. Here are some general credit score ranges (as provided by the National Association of Realtors CRS Course 111 ); 990: highest calculable credit score. 900: 15% of borrowers have a credit score at 990 or above. 740: a rough number around which people are usually able to get a good, competitive loan. 680: the average credit score. 501: lowest calculable score. 500: 18% of people have a credit score of 500 or below. Let’s imagine that you have a credit score of 740 and own your home, but are having trouble making your payments (which may actually be causing your credit score to drop in the meantime). … Before making any decision to pursue a short sale, a foreclosure, a strategic default, or to file for bankruptcy, it is in your best interest to consult with a licensed Realtor, your tax accountant, and an attorney.


Short Sale Debt Could Follow You (And Often Does in VA)

If you are considering selling your home as a short sale, and are choosing a short sale instead of a bank foreclosure, you should make sure to read this Washington Post article about short sale debt. It is very important to know that the debt from a short sale may follow you.  Since we are still early in the history


Purchasing a Short Sale

Charlottesville is currently seeing a handful of short sales, and for every short sale that we can successfully achieve, we are avoiding a foreclosure hitting our market. Short sales, however, are not for the faint of heart! They are highly unpredictable, and while they can result in an incredible deal on a home, they can also result in frustration and


100 Abandoned Houses

It is undeniable that Charlottesville has suffered far less than many other parts of the nation throughout the housing crisis. I just came across a website that is truly fascinating- 100 Abandoned Houses. This site documents photographs of homes all throughout Detroit that have been abandoned due to hardship. The homes are truly fascinating, some of them beautiful. We are