The Kessler Real Estate Team

Have You Heard of This Refinance Option?

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:54:20 GMT

Are you a homeowner who has an adjustable rate mortgage, or a high interest rate mortgage, or a mortgage balance larger than the value of your home? Nationally, 1 in 4 homeowners is upside down in their home loan. California is even more troubling with 1 in 3 homeowners upside down in their home loan.

If your mortgage is owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you need to know about their Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Administered by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae homeowners can refinance to a new loan and lock in at today’s lower fixed interest rates. And their may also be a principal reduction.

To qualify, you need to be a homeowner who is current on your loan payments, and your loan balance is 80% to 125% of your property’s current value. A majority of home owners who purchased in the past 5 years will meet this requirement.

This refinance program was ready to expire June 30, 2011 and has recently been extended one year thru June 30, 2011.

Now you won’t know Freddie or Fannie is your lender by who you’re sending mortgage payment to every month. The Wells Fargo’s, Bank of America’s, Chase’s, etc, brand name lenders may just be “servicing” the loan on behalf of Freddie or Fannie. To find out if you have a Freddie Mac loan, visit www.freddiemac.com. For a Fannie Mae loan visit www.fanniemae.com.

HARP is intended to pull borrowers “above water” and help them get out from under plummeting property values and/or increasing interest rates. Nationally 621,803 homeowners have taken advantage of this program. Yet this represents only 10% of annual home sales nationally so it’s clear many homeowners are not aware of this program. If you have questions, both Freddie and Fannie’s websites have excellent examples, one of which may fit your scenario. Additional questions should be directed to your favored Eureka area loan officer or mortgage broker who knows how to speak HARP.

3 Reasons the Term “Strategic Default” Is Misleading

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:59:35 GMT

3-Reasons-the-Term-Strategic-Default-Is-Misleading

In a recent study, the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index found that a full 36% of Americans would consider “strategic default”—another term for walking away from your mortgage—if they were underwater (owed more on their home than what it was worth).

Now that more than one in four American homeowners is “underwater,” I feel that it’s important for the community to know the truth about strategic default.

The truth is the foreclosure process carries with it credit issues, current and future employment challenges, issues with security clearance and possible debt collections.

That’s why it is vital to explain the 3 reasons why the term “strategic default” is misleading:

1. There’s nothing strategic about defaulting on purpose, especially when you have options like short sales, mortgage modifications, and refinance (just to name a few) that may keep you from foreclosure.

2. The waiting periods to apply for a new mortgage loan are at least five years less in a short sale vs. a foreclosure.

3. A foreclosure will show up on your credit report every time you apply for a home loan, car loan, new job, etc., and will affect your financial situation for many years to come.

If you are underwater and can no longer afford your mortgage payments, you need to create a genuine strategy to avoid foreclosure, helping to provide stability for you and our community.

If you have any questions about what steps you or someone you care about should take next, contact me today!

Good News for Sellers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:06:12 GMT

There is good news for sellers! Home sales are up! Loan money is flowing, interest rates remain below 5%, again. I sound like a broken record stuck on the good news.

Yet for many “distressed” home sellers, this may not feel like good news time. Yet there is good news for home owners upside down in their mortgages and making mortgage payments from credit cards and retirement funds to keep the house. Lenders will be participating in the new “HAFA” program starting 4/10/2010. If you’re not aware of this new foreclosure prevention program, call me today.

Upcoming Home Owner Seminar

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:46:09 GMT

FREE Home Owner Seminar - Your First Steps to Avoid Foreclosure

Take Action and Understand your Options

Please join us for our free February Home Owner Seminar. We are devoting the entire seminar to answering questions about loan modifications and short sales (Selling for less than is owed on the home).

· How to decide whether to loan modify or do a short sale?

· What paperwork is involved?

· What are the credit implications and when will creditors calls stop?

· What are the benefits of doing a short sale vs. foreclosure?

· Which are the best and worst banks to work with?

WHEN: Tuesday, February 23rd - 7 to 8:30 PM

Saturday, February 27th - 1 to 2:30 PM

WHERE: The Adorni Center - Conference Room

1011 Waterfront Drive, Eureka

HOW: Call 441-1777 to reserve your spot

Space is limited

Workshop Presented by The Kesler Real Estate Team

Dean Kessler

The Kessler Real Estate Team

537 7th Street, Suite 3

Eureka CA 95501

Ph: (707) 441-1765

Web: www.thekesslerteam.com

Looking Forward to 2010

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:33:22 GMT

It Has Been a Very Tough Year

Dear Friends,

2009 was a very tough year for many of us for a lot of different reasons. Many people are unemployed or underemployed and are feeling financial hardships or even losing their homes. I want to give you some tips and financial insights for 2010.

Step 1: Start accounting for your money. Fill out a profit and loss statement every month for your family. I have bee doing this since 1996. Every month, track all your bills and spending along with your income.

Step 2: Pay off all revolving debt. Credit cards are making banks rich. Send in extra money every month to the smallest balance card first and pay them off one account at a time.

Step 3: Either refinance or modify your mortgage. Because of the drop in values, you may only be able to modify. Contact your servicer (the one you make your payment to) and go to their home retention department and file for hardship modification. You may need to call 100 times to get it done. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Step 4: Save 20% of your gross taxable income. You must do this or you will always struggle financially. I know it’s HARD to save 20% of gross taxable income (W-2 Income) but it will make the difference the next time the economy struggles.

These are the great steps that I live by.

Thanks for all your support in 2009 and please, if you or someone you know wants to buy or sell a home, we would greatly appreciate the business in 2010. The economy is slowly starting to improve.

Dean & Team

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:23:27 GMT

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

The decisions you make as a homeowner today hold a profound impact on your financial future. However, it is important to safeguard yourself from misinformation and fraud. Get the facts regarding your situation and always have a contingency plan.

For those who qualify, a mortgage modification is the ideal remedy to their financial distress. I’ve prepared a FREE report on the truth about mortgage modifications to guide you through this important process. Simply provide your information below to get this valuable information, and feel free to pass it along to anyone who may need it. One homeowner lost to foreclosure is one too many!

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have training and experience in providing solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship. Together, we can formulate a plan to get back on track.

If you have any unanswered questions, or your circumstances are urgent, please call me today.

Dean Kessler
707-441-1765

Caution: Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Relief Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued regulations protecting consumers against mortgage relief fraud. Due to the growing number of scams that are designed to take advantage of homeowners in distress, the government wants to make sure you won’t be a victim.

As a CDPE, I am fully compliant with the FTC regulations, and want to help you avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals or companies, as well.

In fact, I’ve developed a free, detailed report that explains the warning signs of potentially fraudulent activity so you can protect yourself and the ones you love.

If you are facing an unaffordable mortgage and need help from someone you can trust, please contact me today.

I’m here to help.

Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down?

One in seven mortgages in this country is headed toward foreclosure.

If you or someone you care about is feeling burdened by a mortgage that is unaffordable, I can help.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, it is my mission to help homeowners avoid the financial devastation of foreclosing on their home. In the process, I help them move forward on a positive path. If you'd like to learn more, I invite you to access my free report: Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down?

As my report points out, there are currently 6.5 million mortgages in the country that are delinquent or in foreclosure. Stemming the tide of foreclosures has become a national priority because a foreclosure is nothing short of a disaster for all concerned – families, communities, the real estate market and the national economy as a whole.

As a CDPE, I am tapped into the most up-to-date solutions for financially distressed homeowners, and am distinctly qualified to work with you to determine your best possible option.

Contact me today and let's get started!

Don't Walk Away From Your Mortgage

Stop Don't Walk Away From Your Mortgage

At a Crossroads?

Walking away or "strategically defaulting" on your mortgage is not the answer. You will find that there is nothing strategic about foreclosure, especially when there are solutions to avoid it.

You should know that you have options, and that you are not alone. More than 25% of American homeowners now owe more than what their homes are worth, and millions more are having a hard time paying their mortgages.

I've developed a free, detailed report on foreclosure alternatives you can download below. Download it today and give yourself a green light for a solid financial future.

The sooner you take this step, the more time you'll have to act and move toward a more promising tomorrow.

Your First Steps To Avoid Foreclosure

Your First Steps

In today’s market, 1 in 7 homeowners is having trouble paying the mortgage. More than 70% of these homeowners proceed without seeking assistance or getting the facts. Many do not even realize that foreclosure is a process, and that there is time to make decisions that may result in a better outcome.

You are not alone. Millions of other homeowners nationwide are in the same circumstances. To assist you, I’ve prepared a free report outlining the first steps a homeowner should take when facing a foreclosure.

Fill out your information below for this free report. Don’t hesitate. Get back on track today!

Time is Running Out

Time is Running Out:
How the Mortgage Debt Relief Act Can Save Your Home

In 2007, the Mortgage Debt Relief Act was passed in an attempt to help the millions of homeowners who, due to the housing crisis and economic crash, suddenly found themselves in danger of losing their home to foreclosure.

The act gave homeowners relief from the tax responsibility that accompanied forgiven debt or short sales. Often, these taxes would be more than most distressed homeowners could afford.

At the end of 2012, the act will expire and homeowners will miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to save themselves tens of thousands of dollars while freeing themselves from an unmanageable mortgage.

The clock is ticking, but there is still time to change your financial situation and avoid foreclosure. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I am uniquely qualified to guide you through your options and help you find the right one for your situation.

Take a look around my site and read the free reports that are available. Write down any questions you have and then call me today for your free, confidential consultation.

At the End of Your Rope?

Free report details 10 ways to alleviate the stress of an unaffordable mortgage payment.

Millions of homeowners across the nation are experiencing difficulties paying their mortgages. If you or someone you care about is feeling the stress of an unaffordable mortgage, please take the time to review the report found on this website.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I've been extensively trained to counsel and guide homeowners through their options. There are dignified solutions available to help people get back on path to financial stability. My clients have found strength in the knowledge that they are able to take an active role in avoiding foreclosure.

They know that avoiding foreclosure is key in providing for a brighter future. Foreclosure can wreak havoc on credit and affect current and future employment status in addition to many other long-lasting side effects. In the report, I demonstrate just how harmful foreclosure is in comparison to an extremely effective alternative called a short sale.

I can help you or someone you care about create a strategy for living a life without the burden of missed payments. Call me today, and let's work together to put you back on the path of financial stability.

Understanding HAFA

New Help Has Arrived!

The rising number of foreclosures in this country is simply too big to ignore. That is why a government-backed program has been released that aims at streamlining foreclosure avoidance options.

Short sales and deeds-in-lieu are dignified solutions to foreclosure, and now the government is making them easier, quicker and more accessible through the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA.

With one in six homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments, you are not alone, and there are options available. With the free report provided here, find out if you qualify for the HAFA Program. Simply fill out your information below to get started on your new chapter of financial stability.

Please read this report to learn the facts, and contact me to begin your journey to a solid, stable tomorrow.

Cash for Short Sales

Short Sales are More Valuable Than Ever!

Avoiding foreclosure is always a smart move, but now there are incentives that make it an even better one.

Short sales and deeds-in-lieu are dignified solutions to foreclosure, and now the government is making them easier and quicker through the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA, which also gives the homeowner $3,000 for participating.

With the free report provided here, you can learn all the benefits of completing a HAFA short sale. Simply fill out your information below for details on the program and how you would benefit.

Please read this report to learn the facts, and contact me to start exploring solutions.

Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy

Considering filing for bankruptcy? There may be alternatives you've never considered …

If you are having trouble paying your mortgage and are possibly considering bankruptcy, there may be better solutions for your particular circumstances. I've created the free report available on this page, "The Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy," to provide more information.

Alternatives to foreclosure, such as conducting a short sale and moving into a rental residence with less expensive payments, may offer the breathing room you need to reorganize your finances.

To get your free report, fill out the form below and click send. However, if your situation is urgent and you need immediate assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I'm here to assist you.

A Dignified Solution

You Deserve a Dignified Solution

The economy today has been especially hard on homeowners. I meet people every day who thought they made a responsible decision on their mortgage loan, only to be hit with the unexpected.

The first and best move to make in this position is to educate yourself on what your options are based on your financial situation. Avoiding foreclosure is always something worth pursuing if you can, and there really are dignified alternatives available.

To get my free report on all the options and benefits of avoiding foreclosure, fill out the form below and click "Send". If you need immediate assistance, please contact me right away.

I'm here to help.

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have devoted my career to helping homeowners who face difficult situations, taking them from uncertainty to resolution. Lately I've found a lot of conflicting information going around, especially concerning short sales, which you should know about.

A short sale occurs when a lender accepts the selling price of a home, even if it is less than the full amount owed on the mortgage. For particular homeowners, this can be the best option to foreclosure. Yet, I still hear people suggest that short sales are basically the same as foreclosure.

This is absolutely wrong!

You need to have the CORRECT information. That’s why I'm glad you're here. To help, I’ve prepared a free report—just for you—that compares the realities of foreclosures and short sales side-by-side. Simply provide your information below, and I'll send you this report.

If you have any additional concerns about this issue, or your circumstances are urgent, please feel free to give me a call. I can help you evaluate your options and get you back on track to a secure financial future.

Dean Kessler 707-441-1765

Missing Mortgage Payments? It's Never Too Late!

Missing Mortgage Payments?

It's Not Too Late!

According to Lender Processing Services (LPS), over 6.32 million homeowner missed their mortgage payments in April 2011. Another four million have missed more than three months of payments and are now considered seriously delinquent. If you or someone you care about is having difficulty making mortgage payments, you should know it's not too late to get help.

I created this website so homeowners could gather as much information as possible about a homeowner's options and what steps should be taken next. The free reports available on this site are phenomenal resources for you to learn more about how I can help overwhelmed homeowners overcome this temporary challenge in life.

Feeling Trapped by Your Mortgage?

Feeling trapped by your mortgage?

Education is the Key

If you or someone you know feels like a prisoner to unaffordable mortgage payments, you should know that education may be the key to financial freedom. You have options available that can help ease the worry of making payments or losing your home to foreclosure.

To find out more about the options you have to choose from, download the free report I've created at the bottom of this page.

In fact, this entire website has been created exclusively for homeowners like you who need a trusted source for viable solutions to foreclosure.

If you have questions about the information you find here, or would like to get started in creating a plan, call me today.

The more proactive we are, the better chance you'll have in finding financial freedom and stability.

Struggling to Make Your Mortgage

Get Paid to Sell the Home You Can't Afford!

When the housing market crashed in 2008, millions of homeowners suddenly found themselves in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. To help these homeowners, in 2009 the U.S. Treasury launched the Making Home Affordable (MHA) program, which is comprised of several subprograms designed to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure.

One of the most talked about elements of the MHA program is the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, or HAFA. The HAFA program creates options for homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the property is worth and don't know what to do. Even better, it allows relocation assistance of $3,000 to be paid to eligible homeowners in this situation.

To learn more, you can download my free report entitled "Struggling to Make Your Mortgage? Uncle Sam May Pay You to Sell Your House!"by filling out the form below.

As a real estate professional with the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I offer all of my clients the benefit of the best expertise and insights when it comes to foreclosure avoidance.

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

Foreclosure or Short Sale: Understand the Differences

Underwater on your mortgage? Facing foreclosure? Avoiding foreclosure through a short sale can have many benefits for your future financial stability.

I created this site to help spread the word about the options to avoiding foreclosure, and a short sale has many benefits. A successful short sale can reduce the damage to one's future loan eligibility, credit rating, employment, security clearance and more.

For a free report on the differences between short sales and foreclosure, fill out the form below and click "Send". If your situation is urgent, feel free to contact me immediately. I'm ready to help you take action and secure a more secure financial future.

As a CDPE-designated agent, I've been trained to pursue foreclosure alternatives, and I'm here to help.

Real Stories from Real Homeowners

Real Stories from Real People

It isn't uncommon for homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and don't know what to do to feel as if they have no options and that they are all alone. This is just not true. There are many homeowners who have been in this situation and have made it through.

I have a report on this site that tells the stories of three real homeowners who have been in this situation, faced foreclosure and who now have successful, happy lives. Read these stories. I am betting that you'll identify with at least one of them.

Download the free report, entitled, “Real Stories from Real Homeowners" on this page, and then contact me for a free, confidential consultation. Together, we will begin writing your success story.

Mortgage Relief Fraud

Don't Be the Next Victim of Mortgage Relief Fraud!

It's a sad but true fact that homeowners in danger of losing their homes are extremely vulnerable to scams. With more and more people in this situation, it has become increasingly common for con artists to devise schemes that take advantage of this vulnerability.

The problem is that the solutions that these fraudsters approach homeowners with almost always have a grain of truth to them. They can sound a lot like the actual solutions that really can help homeowners, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between what is fake and what is real.

That is why it is important to have a trained professional on your side. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, or CDPE, I am uniquely trained to help you understand the difference between these scams and the real solutions that can actually help you protect your financial future.

Download my free report, entitled, "Mortgage Fraud Alert!" on this page, and then contact me so I can answer any of your questions and help you navigate the process without becoming the next victim.

Your Ticket to Freedom from Mortgage Frustration

In the news, there is talk of a housing recovery. Experts feel more optimistic about the state of the housing industry in America. However, if you or someone you know is one of the millions of homeowners who is stuck with a home on which you owe more than the property is worth, however, the feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming and frustrating.

CLAIM YOUR TICKET TO FREEDOM!

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I make it my business to know all of the ins-and-outs of the options that are available for people who are in danger of losing their homes and help the challenges head-on.

Take a look at the information on this site and then Contact me today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Avoiding Mortgage Modification Fraud

I Am An Agent Against Mortgage Fraud!

The last thing struggling homeowners need is to be victimized by fraud. Sadly, some people are preying on those who need help the most. Today, the real estate industry is the newest, biggest target for predatory schemes. In fact, the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, stated that mortgage fraud cases are 400 percent higher than they were five years ago.

With nearly 1 in 6 homeowners unable to pay their mortgages, understand that you are not alone. Knowing your legitimate foreclosure-avoidance options is the best way to fight this terrible trend.

The report on this site will tell you how to avoid mortgage fraud schemes, as well as what solutions are available to you. Enter your information below and get the facts now!

The Kessler Real Estate Team

Have You Heard of This Refinance Option?

3 Reasons the Term “Strategic Default” Is Misleading

Good News for Sellers

Upcoming Home Owner Seminar

Looking Forward to 2010

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

Caution: Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Relief Scams

Caution: Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Relief Scams

Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down?

Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down?

Don't Walk Away From Your Mortgage

Stop Don't Walk Away From Your Mortgage

At a Crossroads?

Your First Steps To Avoid Foreclosure

Your First Steps

Time is Running Out

Time is Running Out: How the Mortgage Debt Relief Act Can Save Your Home

At the End of Your Rope?

At the End of Your Rope?

Free report details 10 ways to alleviate the stress of an unaffordable mortgage payment.

Understanding HAFA

Understanding HAFA

Cash for Short Sales

Cash for Short Sales

Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy

Considering filing for bankruptcy? There may be alternatives you've never considered …

A Dignified Solution

You Deserve a Dignified Solution

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale

Foreclosure Vs. Short Sale

Missing Mortgage Payments? It's Never Too Late!

Missing Mortgage Payments?

It's Not Too Late!

Feeling Trapped by Your Mortgage?

Feeling trapped by your mortgage?

Education is the Key

Struggling to Make Your Mortgage

Get Paid to Sell the Home You Can't Afford!

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

Foreclosure or Short Sale: Understand the Differences

Real Stories from Real Homeowners

Real Stories from Real People

Mortgage Relief Fraud

Don't Be the Next Victim of Mortgage Relief Fraud!

Your Ticket to Freedom from Mortgage Frustration

Your Ticket to Freedom from Mortgage Frustration

CLAIM YOUR TICKET TO FREEDOM!

Avoiding Mortgage Modification Fraud

Avoiding Mortgage Modification Fraud

Time is Running Out:
How the Mortgage Debt Relief Act Can Save Your Home