As the year comes to a close you may be wondering what the foreclosure and short sale market looks like in San Mateo Clara County. In a word, things are pretty quiet. The numbers of sales are down. Here is what it looks like:

Closed sales from June 1,2012 to Dec 26, 2012:  

 …

Did You Work This Weekend?

I had an open house today in La Habra, California.  The odd thing is , I think I was they only agent in the area having one. My wife even was in disbelief that I would elect to have one.

Well I have found out a few things:

 The market makes no adjustment for holidays...I had 12 groups of people show up which is good for me.5 of those people gave me their email and 4 of the 5  gave me a valid phone number. One Family wanted to know what was…

Can I get some advise from the REO pros out there.  I have been to Five Star a few times and did get a lot out of it, but wondering if it's the best training out there.  I understand these are not landing areas to meet asset managers, and I'm okay with that.  I got to these events to learn, not brown nose. 

Any feedback on the best training (event) out there.  Any additional information is appreciated.

We typically expect MLS inventory in the 4^th to quarter begin dropping but boy howdy, inventory levels really dropped this year! We are at the lowest level since starting this project in 2009 and on a long-term downward trajectory in all three segments of sale type.

To see a graphic illustration of this trend view the charts and…

Buying a Foreclosure in Winchester, VA 

If you're thinking about buying a foreclosure in Winchester VA, there are certain things you should know. …

I am so upset with Eval online.  I am owed $2000.00 and just got an email they have ceased operations!  I was promised a check a week ago.

Who else is owed money.  I want to file complaints in Florida and hire an attorney.

Due to unforeseen circumstances

Evaluation Solutions, ES Appraisal Services is ceasing operations. Any inquires should be directed to :

Bradley R. Markey
Stutsman Thames & Markey, P.A.
50 N. Laura Street, Suite 1600
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
(904) 358-4000
(904) 358-4001 (Facsimile)
brm@stmlaw.net

McKissock, a leader in continuing education, has compiled the top criteria that land surveying, home inspection and engineer professionals consider when selecting continuing education courses required by states and industry associations.



“We invite everyone to use these criteria to scrutinize their education choices,” says Annie Creek, Market Research and Compliance Specialist at…

I have been scratching my head lately how some name brand agents get their bank owned inventory....does the asset manger really care? or really know?

IN SEARCH  OF ....the listing agent

For starters... listing comes on the market...is listed in the MLS....but has no lockbox until 4 days later because the assistant does not work on Sunday.  I tried to show this property twice ...no offer…

Long written off by many, Detroit is becoming an interesting city to watch from an urban revitalization perspective. At the core of these developments is the emergence of a startup ecosystem where (for…

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar…

How do you get REO business?  You have to get noticed, face it you and I are just a part of a hungry herd, scouring for business.  Here's what's worked for me.  I find a asset management company that has property in my area.  I go to Hoovers.com. if you don't have an account with Hoovers, go to the public library. I look up the people in the company and find a VP who's in charge of asset managers property marketing, then I go to jigsaw.com and look up the company's…

The importance of flexibility and negotiation cannot be stressed enough. Owner bought a mixed use building(commercial and residential units), does not have legal representation or knows what to do but decides to draw up a lease. Potential renter's attorney reviews the lease and requests modifications which really are not out of the . ordinary. Because owner is not knowledgeable and hard headed, he responds to the atty that he will make no changes to the lease, atty…

Watch this first, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU

I have an idea I'd like submit to the group.  We all are in the real estate biz, we all compete for business, we all have limited time, we work weekends. My life's philosophy is work less earn more. For 5 years I dominated my area for REO listings, now that's on a down trend. Maybe I'm wrong but I think most of us would like to own our market place when…

It’s too soon to fairly measure the full affects of the new guidelines Fannie Mae rolled out last month but we should have started to see some improvements on the front end of the short sale process. As part of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Servicing Alignment Initiative, Fannie Mae has implemented new rules effective November 1^st this year, intended to streamline the short sale process and help prevent foreclosures and stabilize communities.

Fundamentally the…

If you are the Personal Representative for an estate that has property to sell it will be your responsibility to pick a real estate agent to list the home for sale. If you do not know any agents who are familiar with Probate sales, you have another excellent option, a Foreclosure specialist.

Foreclosure specialists, also known as REO agents, have the skills needed to be a successful Probate Agent. 

Here are the similarities:

1. Pricing your home: REO…

As a Chase Priority Partner I was recently invited to join the Chase Short Sale Real Estate Agent Referral Program to be eligible to receive short sale listing referrals. I submitted my application and was accepted to the program. I have yet to complete the Chase short sale process training course which will be taking place in the middle of January 2013.

Can anyone please share their experience if already active in the program? How long after completing the course did you start to…

Have you noticed a slow down in December in your REO listings?  I have heard in the past that the banks hold off on cash for keys, and evictions in November and December, but I have not felt it.  I'm busy as ever dealing with cash for keys right now and I have dealt with two evictions in the past month. I feel that's high for a slow month.

I'm just curious how everyone else is feeling.