We help people who are stuck in "underwater" houses to
get 'Right Side Up".
During recessions of the past, people could simply
move to an area of the country where the economy was doing better.
Now it is different. Many people live in houses in which they owe more that they are worth.
This is called being "underwater" or "upside down"
They can not sell their houses and move because they would still owe money.
Some people try to work something out with their bank, only to learn
the bank will only talk to them if they are behind on payments.
Some people try to do a "short sale"
They try to sell to someone at less than what is owed.
They have to write a hardship letter telling the bank why they should get the short sale.
They have to go through months of negotiations with the bank.
Still they may or not get approved for the short sale.
And after the short sale is done - they may still owe money to the bank-
and the IRS!
Then there is the loan modification strategy
You negotiate with the bank to lower the interest rate or principle.
First you have to be behind on payments for the bank to even talk to you.
And again you are trying to get the bank to give you a deal the don't want
to give you. You will get the runaround just trying to get to the right person
to talk to. Many times they don't actually do a loan mod, it's a refinance.
And you are still struggling to make payments on a house that is
underwater.
You can hire a lawyer to do this for you. It will cost you thousands of
dollars up front. Hopefully, the lawyer will be successful.
Some people just give up and walk away. They lose the home,
They lose all the money they spent in mortgage payments.
And their credit is ruined.
Oh. here is the next option...
I was in a Real Estate discussion board the other day. The poster was asking for advice.
He and a partner own a multimillion dollar commercial property.
The property was "underwater" and they were barely making ends meet.
They can't sell and they can't stay in it much longer - what should they do.
The only suggestions given was bankruptcy.
A board full of 'real estate experts: and all they could say was "commit financial suicide"?
I wanted to scream, "NOOOOOOO!"
There is another way.
Our company negotiates with the lender.
We buy the note at a discount.
We get the note refinanced.
Now the owner has real equity.
They can either keep the property, because now they can afford it.
Or they can sell, and move on.