Real Estate Information Archive

Ashton Gustafson Launches Local Foreclosure Avoidance Campaign

Distressed property expert’s online report updates homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments in North Texas on solutions to avoid foreclosure.

Wichita Falls, – September 13, 2011 – “Nationwide, one in seven mortgages are headed for foreclosure,” noted Ashton Gustafson of Bishop Realtor Group.  While the statistics in the surrounding Wichita Falls areas are not nearly that high, Gustafson has developed an online report that reviews the increasing priority that major banks and the federal government have placed on giving homeowners viable options to foreclosure.

“Helping to keep homeowners out of foreclosure has become a national priority,” Gustafson says, adding, “it’s important for homeowners who are underwater on their mortgage or overstressed financially to know that none of the parties involved want to see a foreclosure happen. Banks were blindsided by the foreclosure crisis of the past few years, and too many homes have been lost to foreclosure, but the landscape has significantly changed. ”

Several entities within the Federal Government, along with major lenders, have retooled and restaffed in order to more effectively help homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

“Among the most troubling statistics,” Gustafson pointed out, “is the fact that the majority of homeowners who end up in foreclosure never seek the services of a real estate agent or attempt a short sale.”

A short sale occurs when a lender allows a homeowner to sell a property for less than the current mortgage amount owed.

Real estate agents who have received the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation have proactively sought out the most up-to-date expertise and insights to serve clients within the complicated and highly charged distressed property arena. CDPE agents are required to complete several days of intensive training and are held to a high standard of expertise, efficiency and ethics.

“My recent report titled Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down, provides information every homeowner should know if they are about to or have already missed mortgage payments.” This community resource is available at www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com.

Local Distressed Property Expert Provides Guidance for Homeowners Trying to Avoid Foreclosure

Informative online report details foreclosure alternatives for homeowners facing unaffordable mortgage payments in Wichita Falls and North Texas.

Wichita Falls, TX – (August 14, 2011) – Local CDPE-designated agent, Ashton Gustafson of Bishop Realtor Group, has released a new report that provides 10 foreclosure solutions that can be used to avoid the costly effects of foreclosure. The report titled “At the End of Your Rope? 10 solutions for alleviating the stress of an unaffordable mortgage!” provides information for homeowners dealing with the stress of possible foreclosure.

“It’s incredibly stressful for homeowners to take action when they are faced with foreclosure,” Gustafson said.  “The reality is that over 6 million Americans missed a mortgage payment in April, so people should understand they are not alone.”

This community resource is available at www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com. In addition to providing more information about the alternatives to foreclosure, the report explains ten foreclosure alternatives that a homeowner can take advantage of like a loan modification or short sale.

A short sale occurs when a lender allows a homeowner to sell a property for less than the current mortgage amount owed.

“There are many alternatives to foreclosure that a distressed homeowner can choose from Gustafson said. “I can help tailor a solution that best fits the needs of distressed homeowners and gets them back on track to financial stability.”

The CDPE Designation that Gustafson has acquired provides a specific understanding of the complex issues confronting distressed homeowners.  Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPE-designated agents are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing financial hardship in today’s market.

To learn more, visit www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com.

Ashton Gustafson

Owner

Bishop Realtor Group

Wichita Falls, TX

What's happening in the housing market? What's being done about it? Learn about the government's new HAFA program, providing foreclosure avoidance options including short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. Here's the big picture, clearly explained. For more information see www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com .

It’s frustrating: homeowners facing tough

mortgage situations are finding it difficult to get

sound advice at a time when they need it most.

That’s why I’m providing an easy-to-understand

comparison of foreclosures and short sales, just

for you at: www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com

This free report will provide you with more

information abot your options in these

challenging times. As CDPE, I am trained

to help homeowners evaluate their

options and come up with a plan. I offer

solutions.

Visit my site and explore what’s

available. It’s time for a new

financial future.

I’m here to help.

Ashton Gustafson - Certified Distressed Property Expert

Bishop Realtor Group - Owner

Homeowners facing possible foreclosure are especially vulnerable to the various schemes employed by today’s con artists. Don’t fall prey to their promises. The best first step is to call your lender at once if you think you may miss your mortgage payment.

Here are some scams to watch out for:

"Sign the deed over to me, and I’ll take care of the rest. It’s all about acquiring control of your property in exchange for various promises. The "investor" may promise to make up back payments owed to your lender or to sell your home to pay back the mortgage. He or she may ask you to move out immediately, or may offer you a rental agreement so you can continue living in the home, or may even offer cash for your equity in the home.

Unfortunately, signing over your home’s deed to a third party does not clear your obligation for the mortgage. Once the deed is signed over, the unscrupulous "investor" can start making money with the property--raise your rent payments to unaffordable levels, evict you, rent the property to someone else or set up a rent-to-own agreement that nets the "investor" a tidy amount of deposit money. Meanwhile, the con artist may not make your back payments or may skip town with whatever money was made from the property. You still owe the mortgage and your lender continues the foreclosure process against you.

"Just file for bankruptcy." Filing for bankruptcy typically only postpones the foreclosure rather than stopping it. However, bankruptcy could give you time to reorganize your finances and possibly save your home. If you decide to go this route, make sure you work with a reputable bankruptcy attorney and you understand the process and the likely outcomes, including the impact on your credit.

"We’ll negotiate with your lender to stop foreclosure. Simply pay our one-time fee." You might pay $500, $1,000 or more for a bogus "service" that may not stop foreclosure or that you could have accomplished yourself--for free--with calls to your lender. There are, however, legitimate organizations out there that really can help: contact the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at (800) 569-4287 for a list of HUD-approved counseling agencies or search online at www.HUD.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm .