By Michael and Stephen Szakos / Guest contributors
As we continue to work on short sales throughout the community, we are finding out that the banks are changing the rules constantly, even from client to client. It is vital to obtain help from people that you know you can count on.
One of our short sale specialists recently had a very lengthy conversation with a supposed short sale supervisor at a large bank.
“By Oct of 2011, all servicers in Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) were supposed to post a HAFA matrix on their website, indicating their own unique guidelines and interpretations of the government manual. I just went on-line and downloaded about 10 of these. Every single one of them was different. Meaning, 10 different interpretations for 10 different banks,” stated Cami Pinsak.
The short sale process can be daunting but it is not impossible and we’ve successfully helped out many people. Just recently, a family was able to purchase another home just three years after their short sale.
“We didn’t think we would be able to purchase again so soon. Without the help of an experienced Realtor®, we would not be where we are today. Julio answered all of our questions and guided us through the entire process, “stated the Gonzalez family.
The HAFA program does have great benefits, but you must know who to go to for assistance. Be very leery of people making guarantees and don’t pay anyone up front. HAFA assistance is FREE. There are many short sale specialists with integrity and the desire to help you out.
— This guest commentary is contributed by Michael and Stephen Szakos of Cobalt Realty, 940 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 100, Ventura. They can also be heard live each Wednesday morning on the David Cruz bilingual radio program on KOXR AM-910. The show is aired from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. They also host a free community information forum on the mortgage crisis at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Café on A., 438 So. A St., Oxnard. For more information, call (888) 700.9658, visit http://www.teamszakos.com/ or send an email to michaelszakosandassociates@gmail.com