How to Avoid Getting Your House Foreclosed On

Don’t give up, there is still hope

You’ve worked so hard to buy your home, and it is one of your biggest investments. You are proud of it, and it is a source of comfort and peace for you. But if you fall on hard times, and you are unable to keep up with your monthly mortgage payments, you may lose your home to foreclosure.

Before such a drastic thing happens, what can you do to avoid foreclosure?

If you are at the end of your rope financially, don’t give up. Consider your other options. Just think of how much more difficult it will be to get a new home when you credit rating is affected. It will definitely be affected if you let your lender foreclose your home.

Foreclosure alternatives

If your monthly mortgages are piling up, here are some options for you to choose from:

• Consider a short sale.  A foreclosure is a big deal to lenders because they will lose money, so when you are unable to make payments, the lender usually takes it to court. And if you happen to have a second mortgage or other loans secured by the home, you stand the chance of not just losing your home but your money as well.

When there is no way for you come up with the monthly mortgage, a short sale is a better option. Doing a short sale is beneficial for both you and the lender, and a far better alternative than foreclosure.  

A short sale is when you sell the home for less than the outstanding mortgage on it, with the signed approval of the lender of course.  In a short sale, your REALTOR® will work with the mortgage lender to get a deficiency waiver so that the balance can be forgiven. Your REALTOR® will also work with any  other lenders so that their lien or claim can be removed.

One advantage of short sale over foreclosure is there will be no foreclosure stigma attached to your credit rating. Foreclosures appear on your credit report for seven years, and make it difficult to buy a new home, even if you have saved enough for a down payment and have already gotten a good job.

A short sale also appears on your credit record and lowers your credit score, but you will have get a shorter waiting period before you quality for a Fannie Mae or Fred Mac loan.

Another advantage of short sale is it allows a fresh start. With a foreclosure, only your mortgage payments are taken care of, but with a short sale, all your debts are negotiated by the real estate agent. The selling process will proceed like a normal real estate transaction, so if you chose not to tell your neighbors, they won’t even know the real reason why you’re selling your home.

• Talk to your lender about a loan modification. When you realize you are behind on your payments and you are not able to come up with a full amount to cover the outstanding monthly mortgage, you need to call your lender.  Most lenders would rather negotiate a compromise which will help you catch up with your payments rather than foreclose on your home. A loan modification can give you a more affordable monthly  mortgage payment, it’s less damaging to your credit rating, and best of all, lets you keep your home.

• Seek assistance from the government. There are several government programs to help you refinance your loan.  You might consider getting help from the Making Home Affordable (MHA), or the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).  These programs seek to provide qualified homeowners a chance to reduce their monthly mortgage payment to a more affordable price.

• Opt for a mortgage forbearance agreement.  If you are having difficulty with your monthly payments because of a temporary issue like unemployment or health problems, another good option is talking to your lender about a forbearance agreement.

A mortgage forbearance agreement is a temporary solution for borrowers.  In this agreement, the lender agrees to reduce or suspend payments for a specific time frame, and not to initiate foreclosure. You as the borrower, promise to pay an additional amount to cover the monthly mortgage, including the principal, interest, taxes and insurance, once the agreed upon time period has elapsed.

Don’t allow your hard work to go to the lender. There are many ways you can avoid getting your home foreclosed on.

Call me, Nancy Braun, at (704) 997-3794. Let my skills and experience as one of the top REALTORS® of Charlotte help you sell your home.

 

What Is A HUD Home and Can I Buy One?

HUD homes – the backstory

You may have heard that HUD homes are a good deal if you are looking into buying a home. But what is a HUD home and why is it available at such a bargain cost?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a “HUD home” as “a 1 to 4 unit residential property acquired by HUD as a result of a foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage”.

HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. In other words, it’s a property bought using an FHA-insured loan, didn’t meet the monthly mortgage, ended up in foreclosure, bought back by HUD, who is now selling it. That’s how it became a HUD home.

As to why it is available at a lower cost than other homes for sale in Charlotte, it is because the possible cost of repairs is reflected from the price.

HUD wants to sell these homes as soon as possible. To sweeten the deal, they even offer benefits and incentives for the buyers.

The HUD incentives

One such incentive is “The Good Neighbor Next Door Program” which seeks to “encourage renewal of revitalization areas by providing an opportunity for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and teachers to purchase homes in these communities…in the form of 50% discount off the list of eligible properties”.

If you happen be a community worker mentioned on the list, you are entitled to 50% off on top of the already low-priced home! Imagine the money you’ll be able to save from that!

If the foreclosed homes are not sold within six months, HUD has another special offer. The agency may sell them for $1 each to local governments to  “foster housing opportunities for low to moderate income families and address specific community needs”.

How can you buy one?

For the list of available HUD real estate owned (REO) single-family properties, you can visit the HUD Home Store. This site offers the public, brokers, potential owner-occupants, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations a centralized location where they can search for HUD properties for sale.

It is also the site where registered real estate brokers and other organizations can send bids on behalf of their clients who want to purchase a HUD property.

When you’ve found a Charlotte home you like, contact a HUD-approved real estate broker who can setup a showing for you to visit the home. Unlike the process of buying regular homes, you have to place bids through your agent, and there is a time period where bids are accepted. When that bidding period is over, HUD checks all the bids and accepts the best bid where their agency can get the highest net.

HUD homes are sold as is. If the home you like requires repairs, you will be the one responsible for it. Which is why HUD encourages interested home buyers to get a home inspection before submitting an offer for the home.

Are you considering purchasing a HUD home? Call me, Nancy Braun, at (704) 997-3794.

🏠What Are the Steps to Getting Your Charlotte NC Home Sale-Ready

North Carolina Is Now Ranked The 8th Most Moved-To State In America

Moving is a common life experience. In fact, every day, thousands of people are moving to a new home all over the country. There are many reasons why people move. Some have to do with finances and job relocation, others with personal relationships and changes to the family unit.

Just recently, United Van Lines released the results of their annual study which tracks customers’ state-to-state migration patterns over the past year. United Van Lines is a full-service American moving and relocation company. They help tens of thousands of families move all of their belongings each year.

According to  United Van Lines’ 2017 National Study, North Carolina officially ranked as the #8 most moved-to state in America for 2017.

So why are people moving? And where are they going?
Here’s what they have to say:

“This year’s data reflects longer-term trends of movement to the western and southern states, especially to those where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors,” said Michael Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “We’re also seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West as young professionals and retirees leave California.”

Read more about this article here: http://www.charlottestories.com/north-carolina-now-ranked-8th-moved-state-america/

COMING SOON! 10222 Atkins Ridge Dr Charlotte NC 28213-4290 | Home for Sale

Charlotte NC Short Sales

What is a Charlotte NC short sale?

A short sale means selling your property for less amount than what you actually owe on your mortgage.

Now, this is not a rock bottom real estate situation, most experts say it is a lot smarter than pursuing more serious measures like foreclosure or bankruptcy. If you can’t find the relevance of this, you may be surprised to read these benefits:

• Your credit will not be hurt as much as it will be with a foreclosure.
• You will be able to apply for a loan to buy a new home much sooner with a short sale than with a foreclosure.
• You will be able to stay in your home until you close on the short sale.
• All of your closing costs including the real estate commissions will need to be approved by your mortgage lender because they are the ones taking the loss. So they want to make sure they mitigate the loss as much as they can.

You will need the advice, support, and negotiation skills of a short sale expert like Nancy Braun, Broker/Owner of Showcase Realty in Charlotte NC.

I, Nancy Braun, and my team serve as trailblazers in Charlotte, NC and I’m happy to say we set the bar when it comes to services that stand out from the rest. My team and I, who specialize in short sales as one of our areas of expertise, will not just provide you with one agent but a whole team of professionals, for a quick and faultless sale.

We do all the heavy lifting!

How to qualify for a Charlotte NC Short Sale

Not all homeowners can qualify for a short sale. Let’s check some of the guidelines so you can determine if you can take advantage of this option:

1. Your property is under water. Your property’s worth has to be less than your loan outstanding balance. We can provide a free home valuation so you will know how much your home is worth!
2. Mortgage in or near default status. If you’ve missed payments, and you’ve explored other options, such as a loan modification, and you still don’t have a resolution, then call me for a totally confidential phone consultation. We will go through your options together.
3. You’ve proven financial difficulties.  You must be able to submit a “letter of hardship” explaining why you can’t continue paying and why you won’t be able to pay the difference when you sell your property.

Examples of financial hardships:

• Illness
• Divorce
• Death
• Loss of job

Doing a Short Sale May Test Your Patience

As we work together, we will inevitably receive crazy and ridiculous lowball offers. The most important decision that you need to make is to “make a decision”. Do not avoid confronting the financial consequences of defaulting on your mortgage.

Consider all options available and when none of them will work, you will get the assistance that you deserve as you move forward from this chapter in your life. We’re excited to see you unfold better opportunities in the future! Check our proven track record and you’ll see we know the short sale process!

Call me, Nancy Braun, at 704-997-3794! This is the silver lining you’ve been waiting for!

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NcMV0pDH4XA

9036 Holland Park Ln Charlotte NC 28277 | Home for Sale

A move-in ready home perfect for fun, retreat, and relaxation

If you are looking for a suburban haven, this two-story Charlotte home for sale offers the retreat and space you are looking for.  Situated in the highly desirable community of Southampton Commons, it offers the lifestyle you have been longing for – comfortable, peaceful and close to many conveniences.

It features 1,624 square feet of living space, with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms a, d a one-car attached garage.

With its gorgeous brick veneer, good sized front porch, newly painted interior and new carpet, you’ll easily fall in love with this home.

If you love nature and enjoy an active lifestyle, you’ll love living in Southampton Commons

On top of the great features and amenities this home has to offer, Southampton Commons is located in the Ballantyne area, and offers a great community with a pool, nature trail, and parks, so you can enjoy an active life. You can also participate or watch sports events at Elon Park Recreation Center, which is only a three minute drive away.

It is a friendly and wonderful community located close to many shopping and dining options.

If you have elementary age kids, the Elon Elementary School is so close you can actually walk there. Community House Middle School and Ardrey Kell High School are both under a five minute drive away.

A warm and inviting entryway home

Step in through the charming front door and you’ll be welcomed by a captivating entryway with polished wood floor.

Neutral tone walls complement the warmth of the wood floor, creating a warm and inviting feel when you come in.

Create a more personal touch on these walls by adding some fun artwork, decor or your favorite painting.

The foyer opens to a short hallway that leads to a bright and airy great room with an open concept floor plan.

To the left is a charming and spacious family room featuring a fireplace with an opening above the mantle, large windows which allow plenty of natural light to stream into the room and new beige floor carpeting.

The spaciousness and monochromatic feel of this family room gives it a modern appeal, and allows for easy decoration and personal touch. Furnish it with a large sectional sofa for hanging out when guests come over.

Entertaining and relaxing is easy in this room, and it also provides easy access to the eat-in kitchen located just across this great room.

Dine in this home’s equipped and extra bright kitchen.

This Charlotte home for sale’s kitchen enjoys natural sunlight through the bay windows by the breakfast nook.  

You’ll love cooking in this fabulous kitchen with lots of cabinet space and an oversized breakfast bar. It also comes with a dishwasher, electric range, microwave, range and refrigerator.

There’s plenty of space to move around in this kitchen, a great excuse to ask your friends to help out when you cook.

Beyond the spacious breakfast bar is a great space for a breakfast nook.

The living spaces on the second floor

Upstairs, you will find a good-spaced landing area, three bedrooms including the master bedroom, and two full bathrooms.

The landing space is bright, airy and beautiful. It can easily be converted into a den, an office space or a game room if you love entertaining.  This space has plenty of potential, and you can turn it into anything you want.

All bedrooms of this home are beautifully appointed.

The master bedroom is lovely and cozy, a personal sanctuary retreat where you can relax, recharge and reflect.

It features large windows, neutral tone walls, carpet flooring and a walk-in closet. This room is streamlined and reflects simple elegance, perfect to suit any bed size and style.

The walk-in closet allows sufficient storage space for all your personal items. It also keeps things organized, which is great if you love being orderly.

The master bathroom is also bright and good spaced. It has a walk-in shower and a separate garden tub for your enjoyment. When you need some pampering, the tub is always ready for you.

A patio for your backyard retreat

When you long for fresh sunshine, step outside onto this home’s backyard patio. These features along with the oversized one car garage completes this home’s amenities.

An outdoor table stands on the edge of the patio, a perfect breakfast or barbecue table.

This home for sale in Charlotte has all you need for a comfort. It is also well-maintained, perfect for executives and individuals who prefer a carefree lifestyle.

Make it yours for $234,900.

Call me, Nancy Braun, (704) 997-3794. As the top real estate agent in  Charlotte,  I can help you find the best home.

Text Holland9036 to 704-870-2369 FOR MORE DETAILS!

OFF THE MARKET! 2026 S Wendover Rd Charlotte NC | Home for Sale

A home that checks off everything on your wish list and more!

Built to provide the ultimate comfort and convenience, this gorgeous Charlotte home offers ample space, stunning views and lush foliage, ensuring the best of privacy and retreat.

Nestled in the heart of Myers Park where homes and streets are framed with a canopy of trees, this 2-story traditional style home offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms with 3, 979 square feet of living space.

It also delivers a stunning outdoor oasis, perfect for entertainment or private enjoyment. Located just minutes away from downtown Charlotte, you are close to everything with this home.

Covering everything on your wish list and more, this is your dream home and more.

A great chance to live in a historical neighborhood close to Charlotte

This home is in Pharr Acres, a community inside Myers Park, a beautiful and historical neighborhood of Charlotte, NC.

It is just a stone’s throw away from Myers Park Country Golf Club. Myers Park High School is just a seven-minute drive. Queen’s University is even closer at only a four-minute drive.

Uptown Charlotte, where you have plenty of choices for dining and shopping is just a 10 minute drive.

A home filled with amazing architectural details

This Charlotte home for sale’s grand main door opens onto a lovely foyer laid with polished wood floor leading to the different areas of the main level.

Unlike plain modern walls, the walls of this home have shadow moldings and chair railings, creating a sophisticated feel. The neutral toned colors complement the warmth of the wood floor.  Standing across the spacious foyer is a lovely staircase that will take you to the second level.

A living room equipped to entertain

To the right is a formal living room with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Crown molding ceiling, chair railings and more shadow boxes in neutral tones grace the walls and the floor is polished wood.

This enticing living area is big and spacious. It radiates style and elegance. Make it inviting and comfortable by adding some plush couch sets, and a center table. Adding some flowers would also be a nice touch.

Another interesting feature of this room is the charming fireplace. It is one side of a two-sided fireplace. This fireplace will keep this room warm during cold nights.

The door near the fireplace opens to the den.

Relax in the cozy den

Directly across the foyer is a door which opens to the den. Good spaced and open to at least three living spaces, it’s a great place to relax if you want to see what’s going on in the house.

It features the other side of the two-sided fireplace in the living room. At one corner is a built-in wall cabinet where you can display mementos.

A beautifully equipped kitchen

Step into this Charlotte home for sale’s kitchen and you may never want to step out. This kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!

Updated and featuring stainless steel appliances, a gas cooktop, granite countertops, loads of cabinet and a center island, this eat-in kitchen is ready for you.

Large windows overlooking the backyard provide natural lighting, a great energy saver.

If you love to entertain, or you enjoy cooking, this is a kitchen worth falling for.

A magnificent family room

If you are looking for a perfect space in a home where you can host parties to celebrate those very special occasions, this family room is what you need.

Featuring high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, an impressive stone surround fireplace and built-ins, two side by side french doors with glass inserts, and hardwood floor, this room is stunning.

The wood features of this room give it a rustic feel.

This room is vast, designed to accommodate many guests, and certainly designed for entertaining.

A spacious and well-appointed master bedroom

This home offers 4 bathrooms. There are two master bedrooms, one is on the main level and the other one is on the second level.

The master bedroom is huge! It is bright and airy from the many windows gracing the walls. The neutral walls and beautiful beige carpet give this bedroom an elegant and inviting appeal.

Even with a king size bed, a sitting area and some other furniture, this room offers plenty of space. Make this bedroom your personal sanctuary. Look forward to restful nights and lovely mornings.

The en-suite bathroom features marble counters, a tub, a separate walk-in shower, modern fixtures and large custom closets.

A pergola covered patio that offers serenity and style

The french doors open to a pergola covered patio and a private backyard.

Furnish it with some outdoor furniture and you have a beautiful spot for outdoor relaxation.

Beyond it is a private backyard surrounded by lush trees and plants which give this home a serene vibe.

This Charlotte home offers the best privacy and relaxation, and its for sale for $850,000.

Call me, Nancy Braun, (704) 997-3794. As the top real estate agent in  Charlotte,  I can help you find the best home.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below  to view my listing at 2026 Wendover Dr Charlotte NC 28211 on my YouTube channel: //youtu.be/iLY4NF1SGmo

Text Wendover2026 to 704-870-2369 FOR MORE DETAILS!

Charlotte Was Just Ranked As One of America’s Best Cities To Live In

Here is an article I came across on CharlotteStories that listed the best cities in America to live in today.  Out of 49 others, Charlotte is the only major city that was included. If you need more proof why, keep on reading.

The Queen City was just ranked on 24/7 Wall St.’s list of 50 best cities to live in.

We were officially ranked as the 26th best city in America, but given the fact that we are the only major city featured on the list, you could say that we’re ranked as the #1 best major city in America (most cities on the list have a population of under 100,000 – the only other large cities were #30 Lexington, KY and #10 Raleigh, NC)

According to the official report, “24/7 Wall St. considered roughly 590 cities the U.S. Census Bureau reported as having populations of more than 65,000 in 2016. Only the top performing city in each county was considered in our ranking. Data were collected in nine major categories: crime, demography, economy, education, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, and leisure.”

The Top 5 on the list include three small cities from Colorado, one from Georgia and one from Indiana, all will populations of less than 120,000.

Here’s what they had to say about the #26 city, Charlotte, NC:

“> Population: 842,029

> Median home value: $201,500

> Poverty rate: 13.4%

> Pct. with at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.1% (top 25%)

Charlotte is one of two cities in North Carolina with populations expanding at a near nation-leading pace and are among the 50 best places to live. Charlotte’s population increased by 24.7% over the past 10 years, more than three times the U.S. growth rate and the most of any city in North Carolina other than Raleigh or Cary.

Charlotte’s rapid growth is largely supported by a prosperous economy. North Carolina was one of the first states to allow banks to operate multiple branches within a single state, a regulation that led to banks rapidly expanding throughout Charlotte and the surrounding region. Today, Charlotte is home to the headquarters of Bank of America and the East Coast operations of Wells Fargo. Financial services is one of many sectors leading employment growth in the city, which was more than double the U.S. employment growth rate from 2014 to 2016. Charlotte is also home to numerous entertainment amenities including an NFL team, an NBA team, and the Carowinds amusement park.”

To read more about Charlotte, go here: Charlotte Ranked One of America’s Best Cities to Live In

Home Repositioned in the Market! 8427 Quintrell Dr Charlotte NC 28277 | Home for Sale

The space and security you want in a home

Just a block away from the pool and park of the highly sought after Landen Meadow community is this beautiful and spacious two-story home which stands on a corner lot.  

This traditional style Charlotte home for sale features 5 spacious bedrooms,  2.5 bathrooms, a formal living room, a cozy den and a 2 car attached garage.  It has a large front and backyard.

For ONLY $295,000 this home is the haven you have been dreaming of. It is a home where you can enjoy comfort and serenity and entertain family and friends.

Experience an active lifestyle in the community of Landen Meadows

Built in the 90’s, Landen Meadows neighborhood was one of the first residential neighborhoods in the popular Ballantyne region in South Charlotte.

It is located between Rea Rd and Ardrey Kell Rd and is literally just minutes from shopping, dining, and entertainment as well as access to I-485. All local schools are within a ten-minute drive.

This community enjoys a pool, tennis courts and recreation area.

Work in the bright and welcoming study

If you love the symmetrical look and clean lines, you’ll love the design of this home.  Directly across the foyer is the staircase that leads to the second level.

To the right of the foyer is a welcoming study. This room has big windows,  making it bright and airy.

The windows overlook the front lawn so you can enjoy a great view while you work. Large and casually elegant, this study is a great place to work in peace and privacy.

You can also transform this study into a formal living room.

Enjoy formal meals in the formal dining room

To the left of the foyer is the formal dining room.

Well-lighted with big windows, this room is the best place for formal dining. If you love having guests over, this dining room is large enough to accommodate a six-person table.

Adding your favorite paintings on the wall, and a cabinet display in one corner will bring this room to life and make it the perfect entertaining spot.  

This dining area is also open to the kitchen, making meals convenient and easy.

Fill this home with the aroma of great bard

Next to the formal dining room is an inviting,  large eat-in kitchen, with an open concept floor plan.

This Charlotte NC kitchen has two pantries, stainless steel appliances, lots of cabinet space and no touch under cabinet lighting. Tile floors make cleaning easy and convenient. A breakfast nook is available on the other side of the breakfast bar, just beside the french door which leads to the backyard.

Dazzle your family with your inner chef skills and prepare the best meals in this amazing kitchen.

This NC home kitchen’s set up allows you to multitask; you can enjoy cooking and entertaining your guests at the same time.

A cozy family room with a fantastic backyard view

Across the charming kitchen is the spacious family room which is also accessible through the hallway from the foyer.

Featuring large windows which keep this room bright and cheerful, neutral tone walls for a more open and contemporary ambiance, and a large fireplace to cozy up to on brisk night’s, this family room will easily turn into your family’s favorite spot.

Not to mention that it is right across from the kitchen and pantry, and just a door away from the relaxing backyard retreat.

Turn your bedroom into a soothing retreat

This home has five generous sized and well-appointed bedrooms.

The master bedroom is spacious and bright. Warm tone walls, carpet floor and big windows that let in light give this bedroom a warm and welcoming appeal.

You’ll love its large space and the beautiful blend of neutral and warm colors, giving this room a feeling of warmth and relaxation.  With a king size bed and some drawers, this bedroom is the perfect escape from a long day of work.

This master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom so you can fully enjoy your privacy.

Enjoy its double vanity, a large tub, a separate shower and new light fixtures.

You’ll look forward to coming home and ending your day with a good long soak while reading your favorite book.

Do you require storage space?

When you need more storage space, this home delivers. The attic is mostly floored and is the perfect place for storage. Or you can convert it into a craft room where you can paint and enjoy your arts and crafts.

This Charlotte home for sale offers a wonderful backyard retreat

A lovely surprise awaits you when you move to the backyard of the home. Featuring a good sized covered patio, you can entertain or relax in comfort while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Furnish it with a table and some comfortable chairs and you will have a wonderful setting perfect for relaxing and enjoyment. This porch overlooks a large flat backyard with lush grass and trees.

The backyard is fenced, so if you have kids, they can enjoy playing here.

Homes like this don’t stay on the market long, so grab this opportunity now! Call me, Nancy Braun at (704) 997-3794 to schedule a viewing of this lovely home. Let me help you find the best home to suit your needs.

This is a short sale and is subject to servicer’s and or note investor’s approval of offer to purchase.

Text Quintrell8427 to 704-870-2369 FOR MORE DETAILS!