Foreclosure Activity Slows For The First Time In Several Years..But Is The Worst Over Yet??

The national foreclosure rate is finally falling. But there is still a back log of homes where homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments. The shadow inventory is large and still going. These are homes in Knoxville and around the country where the homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments and trying to do a loan modification or considering a short sale. I personally have seen an up tick in my business with area Knoxville homeowners who want to sell their home on a short sale in order to avoid foreclosure

According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.com, the number of foreclosure notices dropped 2 percent between April 2009 and April 2010.

2 percent may not seem like much, but it’s the first time in the history of the RealtyTrac report that the annual foreclosure rate has dropped.

To be sure, foreclosure rates remain elevated — more than 300,000 were reported last month, but default notices appear to be approaching a plateau.

The RealtyTrac report shows some other interesting statistics, too:

• 6 states accounted for more than half of April’s bank repossessions nationwide
• For the 40th month in a row, Nevada topped the nation’s foreclosure rate
• Foreclosure rates dropped in both California and Arizona, 2 foreclosure hot-spots through 2009

The good news for housing doesn’t stop there.  9 of the top 10 leading metropolitan areas for foreclosure-related activity showed a drop in annual activity.  Only Reno, Nevada showed an increase.

Buying distressed homes is big business, according to the National Association of Realtors®, accounting for 35 percent of all home resales with a typical discount ranging near 15 percent on value.

But with the discount comes some caution. You need to know how buying a foreclosed can be different from buying a non-foreclosed home.

For example, distressed properties are often sold as-is and may have defects that render them “un-lendable”.  Secondly, “quick closings” aren’t usually possible with bank-owned homes — you’re often at the bank’s schedule and mercy.

And, lastly, not all foreclosed homes are searchable online. You’ll usually find more stock if you work with a real estate agent versus searching online.

The RealtyTrac foreclosure report is thorough and can help you gauge what’s happening on a state-by-state level, and in the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.  Once you’ve done your research, talk to your real estate agent about what to do next.

This is good news for the Knoxville Estate Market and around the country. But we aren’t out of the woods yet there are still tough times ahead for many homeowners.

If you are a Knoxville Home owner facing foreclosure you do have options. It takes a train professional like myself with the CDPE designation to help guide a distressed homeowner through the short sale process. As a CDPE we are up to date on all the latest trends and changes that are going on in order to help homeowners who may be facing foreclosure.

If you are a Knoxville homeowner having problems making you mortgage payments and want to know your options. Please feel free to download my free reports

You do have options as a Knoxville homeowner who may be facing foreclosure. Don’t let your home go to foreclosure call me at 865-675-8326 or email me [email protected] let’s setup a time to talk about your situation and talk about your options. I’m here to help you as a trained Realtor with the CDPE designation I can help you…