Trained Advocates for YOU

Whether Buying or Selling we have you covered 

 Certified Distressed Property Expert

Member Distressed Property Institute, LLC

Distressed Property Defined:

• Property that is in poor physical condition.
• Property that is or will soon be in some stage of the foreclosure process.
• Property owned by a person or persons who is or are experiencing a period of financial instability.
• Property on which mortgages total an amount higher than current value and owner must sell.

Plummeting property values coupled with rising notices of default have created an unprecedented crisis in foreclosed properties!  In many instances foreclosures can be avoided, but it takes a concerted effort. Banks want to work with property owners because their business thrives on making loans not acquiring foreclosed assests. A plausible alternative to foreclosure process is to negotiate a short sale.

Short sale defined: A material change in the financial situation of a homeowner [property owner] that is or will affect their ability to pay their mortgage.

One or more of the following circumstances may qualify you and your property for a short sale.

              SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ANYWAY?

There is no shame in asking for help when financial circumstances whirl beyond your control. But time is not on your side once a notice of default has been issued. The primary reason for considering a short sale is to save your credit score, because it directly affects everything you do.  Current and future employment, insurance and mortgage interest rates, security clearances and your credit history for years to come are all impacted in significant ways. It really is a big deal!

If you or someone you know are in a potential

mortgage crisis~Call us!  541-984-5405

(Informational resources: Distressed Property Institute, LLC; National Association of REALTORS & others)

SCAM ARTISTS ABOUND . . . BE ON YOUR GUARD

Foreclosures - A great way to make a buck!

They call themselves Foreclosure Consultants and Mitigation Experts, but are they really? Many people with evil intentions are out to help themselves to the fresh preforeclosure pickings. These unscrupulous individuals prey on YOU and they do so by playing tag-team with other unprincipled persons known as Investors or Equity Purchasers . . . While they go by the same names as their legitimate counterparts the game they play is FRAUDULENT. Don't get sucked in. 

Several agencies at the federal and state levels of government stand ready to help YOU with informational resources, but YOU must be vigilant. Before you commit to handing over your property to someone who promises to help you ~ check them out! The following websites are certainly not exhaustive, but are very helpful in getting the information flowing in your direction.

• Click onto  HUD approved foreclosure counselors in Oregon
• Click onto  Oregon Dept of Finance & Securities
• Click onto  US Federal Trade Commission

Click on the man in blue to access FBI Portland Oregon Field Office

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has developed a Housing Fraud Task Force that is actively pursuing, investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in illegal housing scams.

Foreclosure Consultants or whatever they call themselves should be working under written contract with full disclosure to YOU the home owner. There should be explicit verbiage that encourages YOU to contact legal and/or financial counsel before signing any of the documents placed before you.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE . . . REMEMBER THAT IT PROBABLY ISN'T TRUE.

These RED FLAG Phrases are clues:

1. Keep Your Home. We know your home is scheduled to be sold. No Problem!
2. Stop Foreclosure Now!
3. We guarantee to stop your foreclosure.
4. We have special relationships within many banks that can speed up case approvals.
5. We Can Save Your Home. Guaranteed. Free Consultation.
6. We stop foreclosures everyday. Our team of professionals can stop yours this week! 
7. A business who guarantees to stop foreclosure process no matter what your circumstances.
8. Instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, credit or housing counselor.
9. Collects a fee before providing you with any services.
10. Accepts payment only by cashier's check or wire transfer.
11. Encourages you to lease your home so you can buy it back over time.
12. Tells you to make your mortgage payment directly to itself, rather than the lender.
13. Tells you to transfer your property deed or title to itself.
14. Offers to buy your house for cash at a fixed price that is not set by the housing market at the time of sale.
15. Offers to fill out paperwork for you.
16. Pressures you to sign paperwork you haven't had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don't understand.

(Resource: Foreclosure consultant questions; Selected excerpts of email transmittal; 4-16-09; from Andrea Bushnell, CEO and General Counsel, Oregon Association of REALTORS to Kevin Simrin, Principal Broker/Owner, REMAX Integrity, Eugene, OR)

SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!

$8,000 Tax Credit for Home Purchase

Uncle Sam wants to help stimulate your pocketbook if you qualify . . .

1. Excellent credit a must
2. You haven't owned a home in the past 3-years
3. Or you are a first-time homebuyer
4. You plan on purchasing or have purchased between the dates of January 1st through November 30, 2009
5. This is a credit up to $8,000 on your tax bill.

There is significant inventory in Eugene, Springfield and surrounding communities and mortgage interest rates continue to remain at historic lows. The time just might be right for YOU to buy now! Call for assistance.

Click onto Federal Housing Tax Credit questions and answers

Jack and Judy Thomas are members in good standing with the Eugene, Oregon and National Association of REALTORS, REMAX Integrity and REMAX International, subscribing to a strict code of ethics and professional standards of practice. Jack and Judy are experienced REALTORS who have been trained in a number of disciplines over the years, but neither broker is trained nor educated as a lawyer or financial adviser. Individuals requesting legal or financial counseling are therefore encouraged to seek competent legal and financial advise from appropriate sources.

•  "Jack & Judy - Thank you both so much for everything. We love our house and appreciate all that you did to help us get in." - Danni, Tyler, Michael & Liam Frans - Springfield, Oregon
  
•  "Dear Jack & Judy, Thank you so much for the smoothest home-buying experience in recorded history!!! It was truly amazing. Throughout the Eugene 'field trips' to final paper signing and closure, working with you and Judy made it all work. We'll refer you to all our friends & colleagues." - Don Holtgrieve, Ph.D. & Susan Hardwick, Ph.D. - Eugene, Oregon
  
•  "We would once again like to thank you for the fine job you did selling our 11 duplexes. We both feel that you worked diligently, and showed much integrity in the way you handled the whole listing and sales process. Since we were not living in Oregon, we had to rely on your judgement and advice many times, and we feel you always had our best interest in mind. It was a pleasure working with you both. Best Regards," - Pete and Jeanine Lunardi - California
  
•  Transactional Referral Certification/TRC
  
•  Certified International Property Specialist/CIPS
  
•  Accredited Buyer Representative/ABR
  
•  Certified Residential Investment Specialist/CRIS
  
•  Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist/CLHMS
  
•  Certified New Home Sales Professional/CSP
  
•  Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist/SRES