If a homeowner owes more on their home than its value, it's becoming increasingly common for the lender to agree to a short sale, whereby the lender agrees to release the mortgage for an amount less than what's due. For more information, simply contact me through my site or e-mail me. I'm glad to address any questions you have about real estate short sales.

Are short sales good deals?

• Before you make any purchase offers, do your research. Using a knowledgeable real estate agent from Treasure Coast Sotheby's International Realty to assist you with researching a property can help you make informed decisions. We can help reveal to whom the property is titled, the amount owed to the lender, and whether or not a foreclosure notice has been filed. Locating this info can help you make a decision about how much to offer.

• Get a real estate professional with short sale experience. As a Certified Short Sale, Foreclosure, Resource Specialist I can assist you in expediting the transaction and make certain you're protected. Don't permit inexperience to hold up the closing process. Let my experience and knowledge work for you.

• Even with an experienced real estate agent and under the best of situations, buying a short sale property will probably take longer than a typical real estate transaction. Be informed that many short sales will not close in less than 30 days. Remember that you're not only getting approval from the seller, but the lender must also agree to the sale terms. A lot of the time your offer will be presented to a committee to approve which will add time - sometimes even 2 to 3 months.
• Home warranties, buyer credits and allowances, and closing cost concessions are typically non-negotiable when dealing with a short sale. The lender is selling the property as seen which means the lender isn't going to pay for repairs. Make sure to reserve the right to perform inspections for pests, HVAC, electrical, and other critical areas. At Treasure Coast Sotheby's International Realty, when we write an offer, we will be looking out for your interests first and will always suggest that you make your offer contingent upon the outcome of the inspections.

When it's time to buy, whether it is a short sale or a typical home sale,  Apply my experience and knowledge of real estate to be certain that you are getting a fair deal and are protected during the entire matter.