Monday, April 30, 2012

Is There a Benefit using a Third Party Negotiating Company?

I have noticed that there has been an increase by York Pa Real Estate Agents using companies to negotiate a Short Sale for them. The reasoning behind it is that the vast majority of agents don't have a clue how to negotiate a successful short sale, so use a company to do it for them. On the surface most people probably don't see a reason why not to do that. 1. it save the agent time. 2 Agent can list a short sale and think they can make a commission. 3. The agent can tell the seller he has an experienced company handling it for them.

The problem with this strategy in my opinion is that the Seller could really get damaged by this type of procedure. First of all the Seller is in a distressed situation with the home potentially going to foreclosure. The Negotiation company charges a buyer a fee that in most cases the buyer is not willing to pay. This will mean the property will get few if any showings. Secondly if an offer does come in the Negotiating company starts the process, they do not know either the Seller or the Buyer. That means they have no personal rapport with either party and with that in mind when the Lender wants a lot of information so they can make a decision on the viability of the short sale the effort on the Negotiating company is less than satisfactory. The success ratio of such a company must be much less than what a Certified Distressed Property Expert will be able to offer. What is really troubling is that when an Real Estate Agent uses this type of company basically because they don't know what they are doing in regards to short sales, but they think they will get a commission paid to them if it is successful. Unfortunately this practice ultimately pushes the Seller into foreclosure. No one wins when that happens.

If you live in York, PA and in are facing foreclosure, please consider a Short Sale and put your situation in the hands of an experienced team The Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates and be confident you made the right financial choice.

Startegic Foreclosures Good or Bad?

Recently there has been some talk about "strategic foreclosures". Unfortunately there have been some individuals promoting to people who are in financial distress and don't know where to turn when they have fallen behind in their mortgage payments. They have taken the stand that it is O.K. to just walk away and never look behind them for the consequences that come with such a move.

Just last week Good Morning America had a special about walking away from your commitment. The analogy they used was that if it is good enough for corporate America to do so, it is O.K. for the average homeowner too. It was totally irresponsible reporting and they should be taken to task to promote such a terrible injustice to the public. They did not mention what consequences there are to individuals who actually must work and maintain households, credit ratings and personal reputations if they allow a foreclosure to happen. Obviously they did not realize or even care that with that type of reporting people could be jeopardizing their financial futures including holding on to the job they currently have or a job in the future. Corporations don't have to think about those things as it not part of the business world. So yes, corporations do that sometimes but with different consequences.

Please don't consider a Strategic Foreclosure as you might not be happy what you may end up with. Call me today for a confidential interview and we can set the record straight and get you on the right financial path.

Friday, December 02, 2011

York PA 2012 Real Estate Forecast

Looks like things are starting to stabilize here in York County after nearly four years of depreciation in the housing market locally. Looks like on average a 12% drop in prices have hit is this year. The silver lining in this cloud isthat prices have come down enough the the locally employed population can now afford to buy a home, especially with interest rates as low as 4%. For years as people from Maryland migrated here along with the higher wages they earned in Maryland they continued to push up the prices of homes. That trend has all but come to a halt. Maryland buyers use to make up nearly 80% of purchasers back in the pre-bubble days. It appears they are now around 12%.


Now is the time as a buyer to have a broad choice of homes to choose from at very reasonable prices and low mortgage payments. Lenders are loaning out money with as little as no money down with a USDA mortgage, or 3.5% total down paymentfor a FHA mortgage with help coming form the home seller in the form of a cash contribution. There are plenty of programs out there to choose from.

I expect 2012 to provide us with home price stabilization and even possible a slight tick up on prices. If you have been on the fence about buying a home now is the time to jump into the market.

Call the Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates will we will help you to either buy or sell a home in a stress free way.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Visit our Exciting New Community of Ashcombe Farms South

The Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates and Lancaster Home Builders are proud to announce the opening of their newest community known as Ashcombe Farms South. Prices begin in the $170's. It is centrally located near shopping, parks, restuarants and schools. 17 floor plans are available and the builder will customize each plan to accomadate your individual needs. It is a small community consisting of 14 home sites with an average size of just under one-half acre. All utilities are underground as in the other Dover communities that we have built.

This is the fifth community The Pilgrim Team and Jerry Pilgrim has been involved in the area over the last 10 years. The other communities we have now completed were Cranbrook Acres, Ashcombe Farms, Ashcombe Farms West in Dover. Shiloh Farms is located in West Manchester Twp. We also have another community that has been quite successful in Dover Township called Fox Run Creek Estates where prices begin in the $160,s. Stop by our model homes located in Fox Run Creek Estates located off Cardinal Lane on Fountainhead Drive. We do have have a Sunday open house form 1-3pm. If you would like a private showing call or email us and we will be happy to accommodate you.