Last Updated 3/26/2009
This page will be updated regularly. Please refer back often.
Foreclosure lists automaticaly e/mailed to you are updated DAILY the moment they are put in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)!
Click on any "Highlighted Underlined" terms to get more information on that subject.

There are currently more Foreclosures and Pre-Foreclosures on the market than there has been
in decades.  Click HERE for the latest Foreclosure News Update.
  
The information presented here is for Sellers of Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosure and Short Sale homes and Buyers wanting to purchase such homes. Contained here you will find information, articles and links to properties for sale.

There are currently many of these homes for sale listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) accessible only to real estate agents. The list of these homes changes daily. Be aware that private real estate agent and company web sites often have outdated information on homes for sale. To get the latest information, ask Joan to put you in the Instant Alert program which will automatically e-mail you with any new home listings as soon as they come on the market.

All foreclosure properties are not good deals, contrary to what many believe. There are often hidden defects which could be major and costly. The bank which now owns the property will claim not to know about any defects as they never resided on the property. As a result, a prospective buyer will not get a DISCLOSURE of known defects as they would on a normal property still owned by the individual.  Foreclosures are "Buyer Beware", meaning Buyers are on their own.  It would be wise to use an experienced Buyer Agent to guide you through this purchase and explain the obligations and pitfalls of the contract and any inspections you have.

There are now Foreclosures and Short Sale properties for sale. Click on the terms to learn the differences, which are important. When you put an offer on a property to purchase it, there is a big difference in the process, time-lines to closing and disclosures.

Buyers, if you would like the most current information on these properties that are currently available, just click below.  You will receive an initial e-mail with the Full List Of Homes currently available and will thereafter get Automatic Immediate E-Mail Updates any time a property is added to the MLS so you can know about it the day it becomes available.  This will give you a great advantage to be the first to see the property and be able to enter an offer.  This is a FREE service with no obligation.
 
Yes, I'm to get started on my home search of super Foreclosure / Pre-Foreclosure properties!

- SELLERS -
As a SELLER of a Pre-foreclosure home, or someone who is considering putting their home on the market for sale when the mortgage payments are in arrears, there are things you need to know in order to make a decision as to whether to try to sell or not.  It is a good idea to talk to a Real Estate Attorney to find out what your legal obligations are at this particular point. Also, talking to an experienced Realtor can help you determine what price you can expect from the sale, the net proceeds you would receive, what you can do to improve the sale price of your home and will also work with your attorney or mortgage company to make sure everything runs smoothly and all requirements are complied with.

As a Realtor who has assisted Sellers in getting their homes sold to prevent a foreclosure and put money in the sellers hands, I offer a FREE Consultation to help you make the right decision and possibly get money from your home. Call me for more information on how I can help you - Call Joan at 813-884-2023

-BUYERS-
If you are interested in purchasing a Short Sale (pre-foreclosure) or Foreclosure (bank owned) property, the Best thing you can do for yourself is find a good, reputable, experienced Realtor to work for you 100% as your Buyer Agent!  The Worst thing you can do is go around to Open Houses and talk with the agents as they are working for the seller and not for you!  Until you establish a working relationship with a Buyer Agent, they are not working for you.  Also not in your best interest, is calling the listing agent on each home and arranging to see the home with that agent. Again, they are working for the seller.  When you are serious about buying, find a good agent who will work for you as your Buyer Agent 100% (this is called a Single Agent status by the State of Florida rules).  It means they are looking out for your interests.  Getting educated is a must in today's real estate market as everything has changed so much within the last year. 

Some important things to learn, among many, are the differences in how Short Sales, Foreclosures and Regular Sales affect you, the buyer.  You may not be in a position of being able to work with some of these types of properties.  With Short Sales, your offer is contingent upon the seller's lender approving the sales price as they are agreeing to take less money than the seller owes.  It can take several months just to get an answer on your Offer and some agents are taking in all offers that come in so you may be competing with many other buyers for the same property. If you have a home to sell before you can buy, it just won't work in today's market.  You need to have your home sold first or at least have a binding contract on it.  If you are in an apartment and have a lease, you need to coordinate your move date between the end of your lease and the closing on the new home.  With Short Sales, this is almost impossible as you never know how long you will have to wait to get an answer on your offer.  Once you do have a binding contract, then you still need time for your mortgage lender to give the final approval (usually need 30 days) and do all home inspections.  The sellers lender will want to close as soon as possible after you get under contract status and will not wait for your lease to finish.  Also, with a Short Sale, the "Asking Price" in the MLS (multiple listing service) may not be the price the seller's lender is willing to take.  They may let it go for less or may want more than the asking price.  This is just another uncertainty and waiting for an answer on a Short Sale can be extremely stressful.  You don't know what price they will want, how long it will take for them to answer and, after months have passed you may loose a lock-in on a good interest rate.  The property may also deteriorate during those months as some sellers put renters in the house temporarily to make money.

With a Foreclosure, things move along a little faster as the bank has already approved the asking price.

This is why you need a good Realtor to consul with you and give you all the many options available in each instance.  Call Joan today to set up a Free, no obligation consultation to discuss your personal situation. All information is held in the strictest confidence. When you buy a home through Joan you also get a FREE HOME WARRANTY vauled at $400. which protects you for the first year you are in the house.  Call for more details. 

It's a great time to buy, with low, low interest rates and low, low prices.  With knowledge and a hand to guide you, it can be a great experience and investment for your future.  Call Joan today at 813-884-2023