SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.

As you may know, I list and sell a fair amount of Short Sales in Florida. One of the many issues I face is Sellers who are all gung ho about doing a Short Sale and then they disappear.

At any given time I could have a dozen listing packages out there that I am waiting on to be completed and returned. The Sellers and I have spent time on the phone discussing their situation and the way forward. All that’s left is for them to complete the paperwork and get it back to me.

Then…nothing. Nada. Zilch. No response and no returned calls or emails.

Why does this happen?

My opinion is that it happens due to fear. Fear of losing their home. Fear of needing to move. Fear of incurring moving expenses and rent payments on top or an already bleak financial situation.

Some of these folks haven’t made a mortgage payment in a year or more. Once the Short Sale is completed the living for free is over.

Fear of uncertainty. Not knowing if the Short Sale will succeed. Knowing that once they make the decision to move forward they are venturing into the unknown.

Fear of taking action. Not taking action can be comfortable.

Fear of being looked down on. Doing a Short Sale means admitting you are in trouble financially. The neighbors will know.

These are just a few of the reasons why taking the next step towards doing a Short Sale can be difficult.

Having been through two Short Sales myself I can relate to each and every one of these.

Making the decision to Short Sale our properties was very difficult. It was humbling. We lived in a small town at the time and I was supposedly a successful Real Estate Broker.

I feared knowing that my peers would see my properties on the market as Short Sales.

I feared my business being affected because of it. Of course business was already in the toilet so it couldn’t have gotten much worse. So my fear was really just my ego getting in the way..

BUT……in spite of my fears I made a decision to move forward with the Short Sales. As soon as I made the decision I felt better. In fact I felt smart! Smart to be taking action and smart to be unloading a “thing” that was just harming me and my family.

It was freeing. I took control of the situation and conquered it.

Today, almost 3 years later, I look back and see that my decision to get my ego out of the way and solve the problem was the best thing I have done in a long time.

Being able to relate to others who are facing Short Sales because I have “been there done that” has caused my business to explode!!

There is life after a Short Sale. And I truly believe you will find life to be much more fulfilling than it was before. So set your fears aside and take the plunge.

Use the Short Sale as a fresh start. Truly explore why you are in this situation and then make changes so it doesn’t happen again. Don’t let your ego stand between you and your new simpler future.

And that’s all I have to say about that. What say you?

Hi folks. Recently I have had several SoliVita Short Sale sellers ask me the same question…..”We need to replace our car. Should we do that before we go through the short sale process?” The concern is that once they go through the short sale their credit will be dinged and financing an automobile will not be easy. One is even paying cash and is concerned how it will look that he went out and spent $15,000 cash on a car and then turned around and asked the lender to accept a short sale.

Interesting question. And one that certainly shows that we are in a different stage of the short sale wave. The Short Sale Sellers mentioned above do not have cut and dry hardships. They are current on payments and have great credit scores.

The first wave of short sellers that started mostly in 2008 were distressed sellers. Property owners that could no longer afford to make their mortgage payments. The next wave were folks that had adjustable rate mortgages that were resetting and they couldn’t refinance as promised when they took out their mortgages.

The current wave is made up of folks that just need to sell but can’t because their properties are too far underwater. They are current on their payments and are not in foreclosure. They could continue to make payments. BUT….they have to move.

Their family has out grown the property. They have a job transfer. Or they are strategic short sellers.

Their situations are different than the first two waves of short sales…

So……should they go out and replace their car prior to doing the short sale? It depends. My response to them is……..

• “If replacing your car is something you would be doing even if you weren’t getting ready to do a short sale then, yes, go ahead and do it. If dependable transportation is needed for job purposes then, yes, go ahead and replace it now. Do what you need to do to make sure your family is taken care of. BUT…be able to defend your position if the lender ask you about it. Be able to show that buying a car was needed and not just wanted. And…..be prepared to make a cash contribution towards the short sale lender’s loss.”

This is my opinion. What’s yours?

Do you need help with your SoliVita Short Sale?

Am I a Short Sale Expert? I don’t think so. Even though my new CDPE designation says I am!!! Yes that’s right I am now a Certified Distressed Property Expert (R).

VISIT MY SOLIVITA SHORT SALE INFO SITE

As you may know, my partner Wendy Rulnick and I own the most active Short Sale Network in the World at ShortSaleSuperstars.com and we have been teaching agents how to do short sales for several years now. BUT….we are not Short Sale Experts.

So…..we both decided to attend the CDPE classes and get our Certified Distressed Property Expert (R) designations.

Wendy took hers online and I attended the 2 day CDPE class in Orlando Florida this week. You’ll be happy to know we both “passed”!

I was the lucky one since I didn’t have to take a test. Just show up and be present for 14 hours of class and BAM!! you too can be a Short Sale Expert.

But Broker Bryant, how was the course? I’m glad you asked. I found it to be very good. The information being taught was relevant, accurate and fairly detailed. If an agent took the CDPE course, that had zero short sale experience, they would certainly be a position to help some folks avoid foreclosure. I would still recommend they have a mentor to assist with them with their first few short sales but they would at least know the process. And they would have the forms and materials to get them started.

CDPE has a very thorough package of Short Sale documents and forms that would help any agent. Lots of good questionnaires and disclosures to protect the agents and their brokers while at the same time helping to educate the Short Sale sellers.

Plus the CDPE Advanced Membership provides you with monthly marketing materials, website and continuing support for your short sale business.

So all in all my hat’s off to Alex Charfen for authoring a very excellent Short Sale Designation with CDPE. Well done Alex!!!

But please….don’t call me a Short Sale Expert. Just call me Broker Bryant, The Best And Hardest Working Short Sale Broker You Will Ever Find In The State Of Florida. Next to Wendy, of course

You may even qualify for a cash incentive*** from your Lender to do a SoliVita Short Sale.

***These programs are not available to all Sellers and the incentives may vary from State to State.

Here are the Florida Short Sale Incentive Programs that I am aware of:

HAFA. Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative. Lender will pay the Seller $3,000 as a Relocation Assistance. Only for primary residences.

FHA PFS. HUD Pre-Foreclosure Sale. Seller can receive $1,000 for relocation assistance. Just yesterday I received FHA PFS approval increasing the seller incentive to $4,000!! Only for primary residences.

Chase Short Sale Incentive Program for select Borrowers offering them up to $35,000 to do a short sale.

Bank of America Co-operative Short Sale. From $3,000 to $20,000 Short Sale Incentive.

Citi Bank, Wells Fargo and Ocwen also have programs available for select home owners. Amounts vary from $3,000 to $35,000. Most are in the $5,000 range.

Folks if you are behind on your SoliVita mortgage payments be sure to open any and all mail you receive from your lender. It could very well be an offer to Short Sale your property. These offers are usually time sensitive and require immediate action on your part.

But why would my Lender pay me to do a SoliVita Short Sale? That’s a good question. For one, it less expensive, for them, for you to cooperate during the Short Sale process and maintain the property than it is for the Lender to foreclose and get an abandoned property back. Also, the Lender does not want you to continue living in the property for free. They would rather pay you to do a Short Sale now than have you live there for another year or so while deciding what to do. The incentive gets you to take action.

Whatever their reason is..…it’s a good opportunity for you. Any questions?

Are you under water on your Florida mortgage?

Grip ‘em and Rip ‘em.

SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.

Play with the Big Boy’s Toys.

SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.

Meet up with your friends at The Farmer’s Market and discuss the merits of size.

SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.

Make use of The Gyms and trade in your Boost for Myoplex.

SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.

Sit around out here and pretend you’re in Venice.

SoliVita. The place for active adults to enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Amenities include 2 par 72 golf courses at Stonegate Golf Club. The Riviera Spa and Fitness Center with full gym, indoor track, indoor aquatic center, 2 out door spas, heated pool, dance studio and much more.

Also enjoy the Village Center with its restaurants, 17,000 sq ft Starlight Ballroom, pool hall, ceramic and art studios and waterways for canoeing, boating and fishing. And as if that’s not enough there are 11 heated pools through out the community.

And the new Palms Amenity Complex with it’s state of the art fitness studio and 4,000 sg ft pool. Professional staff on site. Oops! I forgot to mention the tennis courts, pickle ball courts, horse shoe pits, dog park, softball fields and nature preserves. You really just need to come have a look. Houses from the low 100s to mid $500s.