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NOV
12
Banks Making Short Sales Tougher
By John Askins



Banks are continuing to back away from short sales, forcing sellers to pay extra at closing or demanding a promissory note for the amount due. One-third of borrowers owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth, according First American CoreLogic.

When their situations were really tough, most banks preferred short sales because they were their best opportunity to get the most money back. But with an improving economy, and because the losses on many of these properties have already been written off the books, banks are increasingly reluctant to negotiate a short sale.

Today, banks demand 9.5 weeks to respond to a short-sale request, compared to 4.5 weeks a year ago, according to research firm Campbell Communications. Their reluctance is frequently stymieing sales and frustrating real estate practitioners.

"It drives me up a wall," says Robert G. Hertzog of Summit Home Consultants in Phoenix. "[The bank is] holding my client hostage."

Source: BusinessWeek
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Houston Association of REALTORS®

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John Askins

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Welcome to Royce Realty, your source for Houston and Texas real estate. If you own property that you are thinking of selling I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation. If you are buyer, in this competitive real estate market, timing is everything. Many good homes are sold before...
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