A recent report showed gains in home sales during the month of February. Pending sales (offers made and accepted, but not yet closed) jumped close to 45% last month compared to February 2009. This marks the eleventh straight month of month-over-month increases.  Closed sales are also on the rise from a year ago, rising 33.5%. However, prices have still lagged off but show promising signs of stabilizing.

Evergreen Park Front and Waterfront townhouse style condo with garage

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If you or someone you know is struggling to make mortgage payments, understand that you are not alone. At the end of 2009, nearly one in six homeowners had defaulted on their mortgage. This means millions of Americans need help in stabilizing their financial situation. Unfortunately, it also means many are falling victim to those looking to take advantage of this situation by exploiting homeowners who need real solutions.

With more and more scams appearing each day, here is a free report that can help you be sure to steer clear of exploitation and mistreatment!

 Click Here for your Free Report!

Congratulations!!!

Penny McLaughlin of Penny's Team received the Realtor 2009 Special Achievement Award from the Kitsap County Association of Realtors, for her unselfish dedication and commitment of her time and energy for the good of the Association and the Real Estate Industry.

Click Here to read the complete article written by the Kitsap Sun

1.)  Homeowners faced with foreclosure are understandably stressed and resentful, which can often lead to neglecting routine maintenance on a home. Sometimes, even deliberate damage is done. Assessing the home’s condition, therefore, is a must.

2.)  Foreclosure properties have often been vacant for an extended period of time. Look for problems caused by damp conditions, such as mold.

3.)  Get a thorough home inspection before bidding on the property. Once the damage/disrepair of the home is assessed, factor this in when bidding on the home.

4.)  Contact a real estate professional—like me, a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®—who is well steeped in the community and can provide information about pre-foreclosure properties, that is, homes that have been scheduled for foreclosure but have not yet gone to auction or been sold off. These homes need to be sold quickly as owners are trying to avoid foreclosure and its impact on their credit. 

5.)  Last but not least, go to www.hud.gov for information on how to buy homes acquired by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development as a result of foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage. The site also has information on special programs and opportunities for teachers, law enforcement officers and others.

While buying a foreclosure property takes patience and research, the results can be well worth your time and effort. For more information, please e-mail me, and please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested in exploring a foreclosure purchase.