Have you ever watched a tree dance in the wind, and marvel at its ability to handle the forces buffeting it? The secret of its success is flexibility. It bends with the wind and absorbs the energy. If it were rigid, it would break.

Practitioners of martial arts learn to use the force of an attack to upset the attacker. Athletes, like cyclists, skiers and gymnasts, learn how to fall; to roll with a spill, rather than resist. These skills serve the purpose of gaining advantage over an adversary or avoiding injury when the inevitable happens.

But Extraordinary Situations Require Extraordinary Responses

Offensive and defensive strategies are great under normal circumstances, but it’s impossible to be prepared for every event that might occur. Life is both exhilarating and scary because, as we’ve all been reminded at one time or another, the one thing that never changes is the fact that things change.

Hurricane winds knock down trees. A surprisingly strong and clever opponent can take you down. A severe fall or crash cannot be broken with normal techniques. Financial and real estate markets can change in ways that few, if any, people see coming. That’s when extraordinary responses are needed.

Trees are cleared and replanted, a martial artist gets better coaching, medical specialists repair damage from falls, and professionals in the financial and real estate markets learn new skills and acquire new tools to recover from extraordinary market events.

Short Selling Has Become a New Real Estate Phenomenon

Short selling is common in the world of stocks. You borrow stocks, sell them, buy replacement stocks at a lower price and bank your profits (assuming of course, that the market moves in the right direction). For decades, houses have sold for more than the purchase price—and there was nothing on the horizon that indicated that would ever change.

Then came the big meltdown, and suddenly many people are upside down on their mortgages (owing more than the property is worth), and there’s a mad scramble by many to save whatever can be saved through short selling (selling for less than the value of the mortgage).

The mechanism for short selling in the stock market is well established. Short selling in the real estate market is essentially a new phenomenon, and it’s untried, untested, and complicated.

It’s Time for an Extraordinary Response by Real Estate Experts

Ron Howard, group leader of the Ron Howard Group REMAX Sails, has swung into action. Recognizing that the housing market is causing an incredible amount of financial stress and heartache for a large number of families in the Baltimore area, he felt a great responsibility to help as many homeowners as possible. So he went through extensive training to become a Certified Distressed Property Expert_©.

With this specialized training, Ron is positioned to help owners of distressed properties determine their options and to assist with the execution of plans for resolving their situations.

Ron and his group are prepared to offer their high level skills and expertise to anyone in need of representation in this turbulent market, whether it’s for buying or selling. There’s never a fee for contacting a member of the group to discuss your situation, and there will never be any high pressure sales attempts. Remember, we are your source for Baltimore real estate.

Contact Ron and his team @ 410-814-2404 or ron@livebaltimorecity.com

What do people call the person who graduates from medical school, law school or realtor training at the bottom of the class? Doctor, Lawyer or Realtor. All those individuals meet the minimum requirements for hanging out a shingle and doing business in their chosen profession.

Beyond successful graduation, licenses are required within most professions as a way of assuring the public that a person advertising as an expert in a particular area is qualified to deliver the services they offer. (For example, we’ve all heard stories of unscrupulous individuals swooping into an area after a disaster to pose as building contractors, and of individuals who fail to check for proper licenses and lose down payments on bogus contracts.)

Beyond licenses there are credentials and designations that an individual can acquire within their profession to prove competence in a specialized area. Awards are given to outstanding individuals by professional associations. Individuals who have earned credentials and designations, and have won awards, tend to be the high achievers in their professions.

You Don’t Do Business with Degrees, Licenses and Credentials

As important as degrees, licenses and credentials are, you do business with people who have earned degrees, licenses and credentials, and the caliber of individuals—in terms of skills and effectiveness—varies like the spectrum of a rainbow across any particular profession.

The person who graduates last just might turn out to be an outstanding professional because of personal traits. Or, the person who graduates at the top might do so because of a knack for studying and passing tests, but lacks certain traits necessary for dealing successfully with clients and other professionals.

Look Beyond the Plaques on the Wall to Real Evidence of Competence

There’s nothing better than testimonials for helping you choose a professional, because they are absolute proof of a professional’s capabilities. They show that results have been achieved; that a professional knows how to apply the knowledge and tools of their profession to reach the desired outcome.

Ron Howard and His Group Have Passed the Competency Test

They hold the credentials, designations and awards of top performers, and have earned those golden nuggets of proven professionalism and proven success. Listen to what some of the Ron Howard Group’s clients have to say, and then, whether you’re a buyer or seller, contact the group to learn how you can benefit from the group’s competence.

Everyone knows the real estate market is going through historic upheavals and steadily declining property values. This means pain for some and opportunity for others, especially those who are poised to become first time buyers, or who have been out of the market and want to get back in.

Getting the most out of an opportunity doesn’t happen by accident—it takes preparation. Preparation means you will be able to move into action with calmness and confidence. It’s wise to go through some basic steps to prepare for that day when you will pick up the phone and call a realtor. Here are three steps that will get you going:

Clutter Clearing

Clutter clearing is an exciting endeavor, if you know what it can do for you. Most of us don’t think much about stuff until it’s time to move. That’s when we realize there are thousands of individual items tucked away out of everyday view: kitchen utensils, that DVD collection, racks of clothes, loaded drawers, linens … and then the garage, with yard equipment, tools, holiday decorations … and on, and on and on.

Well, stuff requires space, and space costs money, and clutter takes a toll on energy. In the next step, you’ll be envisioning your dream home, so it helps to have a good mental image of your inventory of stuff. Why buy a house for storing stuff you rarely, if ever use?

Run everything past a test: Do you use it at least once a year? Will you, honestly, ever get around to finishing those projects you started months or years ago? Do you need that many shoes? (You’ve got to push through the idea of, “Well, you never know, I just might need it.” Let go. Create space for something new to happen.)

If stuff doesn’t pass the test, get rid of it. The unloading process can be a lot of fun. There’s stuff you can simply donate to a charity, there’s tons of stuff you can turn into cash through a yard sale (if you haven’t done one, you’re missing a good experience) and then there’s stuff that’s too good to donate or unload at a yard sale. Find collectors and specialty shops for things like that vintage electric train you’ve kept since you were five. Consignment shops are excellent for getting a decent return on what you’ve spent on those finer things.

People who do this step seriously report feeling light and free, and many refuse to let clutter build up again because of the joy of always being current.

Create a Vision

Sit down with your family and write down the specifics of your dream home: Is it one-story or two? In the city or in the suburbs? List the specific rooms and their functions, the number of bathrooms, kinds of closets, size and location of the laundry room, size of yard, attached garage—or detached. Get a clear vision in your mind of what you really want.

This is a very practical exercise that gives you a sense of power and saves lots of time when it comes to actually looking at properties. First, you can tell a realtor what you’re looking for—so your realtor can narrow the list of available properties, and instead of emotionally reacting to every house you see, trying to decide whether or not you like it, you will simply recognize whether or not it matches your vision.

Get Pre-Qualified for a Loan

You might be a member of USAA or other organization that offers home loans (USAA does) and that you’ve done business with for a long time. Let them know that you’re thinking about buying a home and would like to apply for loan pre-qualification. Based on your income and the amount of down payment you can make, you will be told what size mortgage you can handle, and from that, the home price you can afford. If you don’t have a connection with a particular institution, then ask for referrals from family and friends, or a realtor. Knowing the price you can afford will also help your realtor narrow the list when you’re ready to start looking.

So after you’ve cleared the clutter, developed a clear vision of your dream home and have a loan pre-qualification in hand, then call The Ron Howard Group: The team that will help you find and negotiate the purchase of that house you literally dreamed up.

Check out my interview:

 http://luxuryfinance.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-with-ron-howard-of-remax.html

You choose products and services all the time. You’re constantly engaging with shop keepers, gardeners, hair dressers, your kids’ teachers—without thinking much about it. Selecting becomes automatic, and if you don’t like a particular product or service, you can easily choose another.

Now, buying or selling a house is not something you do every day, so when you’re ready to enter the real estate market you’re suddenly confronted with an unfamiliar type of transaction, and you feel the pressure of knowing that a lot of money is at stake. In this case you can’t take the shoes back to the store if they don’t fit into your wardrobe, and changing horses in the middle of a real estate transaction can be costly.

Real estate is an unusual business because just about anyone can take the required courses and pass the required tests and start marketing herself or himself as a real estate agent, which means turnover in the industry tends to be high. While there are many well intentioned, honest and highly skilled individuals in the field, you don’t want to risk being a training case for someone, or to be someone’s failure.

Agents aren’t hard to find. In fact, you might know an agent who plants little American flags on your and your neighbors’ lawns for 4^th of July, or is constantly mailing you little reminders that they’re there, or gives you those refrigerator magnets and note pads with his or her smiling face on them. Of course you’re going to think of that person when you realize you need an agent, but don’t let the comfort and convenience of familiarity tempt you out of a thorough comparison shopping effort.

And don’t let high volume be a sure indication of quality of service. Agents are required to work under a licensed real estate broker, and some brokerage offices put a lot of pressure on agents working for them to generate lots of listings and sales. 

A good practice, when selecting a real estate agent, is to set up interviews with several agents; three at a minimum, perhaps more (here’s where you can give your neighborhood agent, and even friends and relatives in the business, an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise). Invite them to sit down with you and present a case for why you should engage their services. If you are planning to sell the house you are living in, it’s best to conduct the interviews at home, and during the interview ask each agent what they would recommend in the way of preparing your home for placement on the market.

During the interview you will want to determine each agent’s:

·      Credentials (proper license and specialty qualifications)

·      Competence (length of time in real estate, types of properties handled, achievements)

·      Commitment (full or part time agent, involvement in professional and community associations)

·      References (follow up with a call to each reference, and don’t be afraid to ask questions)

You may find more than one agent who seems to have all the qualifications, and you have to choose one of them. That’s when intuition kicks in. What does your gut tell you is the agent you would probably enjoy working with? Simply put, who do you like the most on the human level? 

Good luck! Oh, and if you’re in the Baltimore area, be absolutely sure you interview The Ron Howard Group at RE/MAX Sails. We will show you how the power of our high-performing, high-achieving team can be applied to your specific situation. Chances are excellent we've been there many times, and regardless of the situation, we know how to achieve best outcomes in real estate transactions, as proven by our record of accomplishments.

Contact us @ 410-814-2404 or visit www.LiveBaltimoreCity.com

Take Care,

Ron Howard

BALTIMORE, MD, February 5, 2009 – No reasonable person will deny that the global economy today is as tumultuous as a storm, and that the U.S. is at the eye. When you’re a passenger on an airliner, you don’t think much about who’s in the pilot’s seat—until the plane starts bumping and lurching. Then your mind races to the cockpit and you clutch the arms of your seat and hope that those hands on the controls are experienced ones.

It’s the intensity of uncertainty that rises with a crisis, and we look for someone who is steady, calm and competent; someone who has been there, and is capable of steering through the storm. The problem today is that the trust once given to financial institutions has been largely betrayed, and the disarray in the financial and housing markets has discredited many of the “authorities” we relied upon in the past to help us with our financial and real estate transactions.

Luckily for property owners in the Baltimore area, they can put Ron Howard at the controls and know that they will be expertly guided through whatever situation they find themselves in. Ron has applied the exacting discipline required of an aircraft pilot (he’s an FAA licensed pilot) to the business of real estate, and has achieved notable success by leading a team of real estate professionals at RE/MAX Sails in Baltimore.

In addition to general real estate accreditations, Ron holds designations in new construction and luxury homes, and recently earned the Accredited Home Stager (AHS) Designation.

Flying over the real estate terrain of Baltimore today, you would see that:

·      Median list prices are falling

·      Days of a property on the market are increasing

·      It’s a buyer’s market—with several months worth of inventory at current prices

Whether you’re an owner looking to find a top-end offer on your property, or a buyer trying to find a great deal, you would be well advised to give Ron a call for some advice on how to navigate through this difficult and choppy real estate weather. You’ll find a professional who not only knows his stuff, but who loves achieving successful outcomes for his clients.

With his knowledge and experience in real estate pricing and sales, and his outstanding negotiating skills, Ron is uniquely qualified to provide that calm, steady expertise that is sorely needed. Allen Shay, former client, says, “I will not hesitate to use ANY or ALL of Ron Howard's services. Ron's experience in the industry, along with my personal dealings with Ron, gives me the comfort of knowing I am in the best hands when Ron is involved in my transactions.”

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For more information: http://www.livebaltimorecity.com/

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Business/When_Flying_Through_a_Storm_You_Want_an_Expert_Pilot_at_the_Controls_326584.html

Dear Realtors:

Since you are one of the industry professionals that I respect and enjoy working with I want to make you aware of a segment of the market that I have chosen to specialize in working.  As you know this housing market has caused and incredible amount of financial stress and heartache for a tremendous number of families in our area.  For many homeowners financial stress combined with the prospect of a possible foreclosure is just too much to handle.  Nationally on average over 70% of homeowners who lose their home to foreclosure don’t appear to have done anything proactive to resolve their situation. 

As a real estate professional I feel a great responsibility to help as many homeowners as possible so that I can do my part to help our industry get back on its feet.  I have taken extensive training to become a Certified Distressed Property Expert_©. What this means is that I have made the commitment to help as many families in our area reverse this statistic.  No one should go into foreclosure and lose their home without at least looking at possible solutions.  I have the knowledge and I am available to help families in need explore their options.

If you should encounter anyone that is a distressed situation and needs options, solutions, and information please do not hesitate to refer them to me.  I believe that if we all work together we can have a significant impact on the real estate market today.

I can be reached at 410-814-2404 or by email at ron@livebaltimorecity.com.  I look forward to hearing from you soon and wish you all the best.

The current US housing market and national financial crisis has caused untold stress and heartache for many American families.  Foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial challenges that a family can face and one that many times can be avoided.  The options for foreclosure are many; following is a brief explanation of these solutions.

REINSTATEMENT

A reinstatement is the simplest solution for a foreclosure however it is often the most difficult.  The homeowner simply requests the total amount owed to the mortgage company to date and pays it.  This solution does not require the lender’s approval and will ‘reinstate’ a mortgage up to the day before the final foreclosure sale. 

PLUS:       Does not require Mortgage Company or lender’s approval.

MINUS:      Requires that a homeowner be able to pay all back payments, fines and fees immediately.

FORBEARANCE OR REPAYMENT PLAN

A forbearance or repayment plan involves the homeowner negotiating with the mortgage company to allow them to repay back payments over a period of time.  The homeowner typically makes their current mortgage payment in addition to a portion of the back payments they owe.

PLUS:       Allows the homeowner to make back payments over time.

MINUS:      Requires that a homeowner be in a financial position to pay not only their current mortgage but a portion of the back payments owed.  Some mortgage companies will require a homeowner to ‘qualify’ for forbearance.

MORTGAGE MODIFICATION

A mortgage modification involves the reduction of one of the following: the interest rate on the loan, the principal balance of the loan the term of the loan or all or any of the above.  This typically results in a lower payment to the homeowner and a more affordable mortgage.  

PLUS:       Reduces the payment a homeowner is required to make on a monthly basis and may reduce the principal balance of the loan.

MINUS:      Requires that a homeowner ‘qualify’ for the new payment and will often require full documentation.  Lender has to be actively pursuing modifications. 

RENT THE PROPERTY

A homeowner who has a mortgage payment low enough that market rent will allow it to be paid can convert their property to a rental and sue the rental income to pay the mortgage.   

PLUS:       Allows homeowner to keep property indefinitely.

MINUS:      The issues that can arise with a rental property are many and rent often does not cover the full cost of property ownership and maintenance. 

DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE

Also known as a ‘friendly foreclosure’ a deed in lieu allows the homeowner to return the property to the lender rather than go through the foreclosure process.  Deed in Lieu requires lender approval and requires the homeowner to vacate the property. 

PLUS:       Many times in a successful Deed in Lieu the lender will forego their right to a deficiency judgment. 

MINUS:      Requires that a homeowner vacate their property and may be reported to credit bureaus as a foreclosure.   

BANKRUPTCY

Bankruptcy has been marketed by many as a ‘foreclosure solution’ which in some states and situations it can be.  If the homeowner has non-mortgage debts whose payments are causing them to fall short of paying this mortgage payments and a personal bankruptcy will eliminate these debts this may be a viable solution.  

PLUS:       Does not require lender approval. 

MINUS:      If a homeowner cannot afford their mortgage payment, a bankruptcy will only stall not stop the foreclosure process.  Bankruptcy can be costly.

REFINANCE

If a homeowner has sufficient equity in their property and their credit is still in good standing they may be able to refinance their mortgage.    

PLUS:       In some cases will lower payments. 

MINUS:      In today’s market a refinance will almost always raise mortgage payment and is an expensive process.

SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT (MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY)

If a member of the military is experiencing financial distress due to deployment and that person can show that their debt was entered into prior to deployment they may qualify for relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.    The American Bar Association has a network of attorney that will work with Servicemenbers in relation to qualifying for this relief.  

PLUS:       If qualified will lower payments on all consumer debt in addition to mortgage payments. 

MINUS:      Must be active military to qualify.

SELL THE PROPERTY

If a homeowner has sufficient equity in their property they can list the property with a qualified agent that understands the foreclosure process in their area and sell their property.    

PLUS:       Allows homeowner to avoid foreclosure and harvest some of their equity. 

MINUS:      In many cases today homeowners do not have sufficient equity to sell their property without negotiating a short sale (see next solution).

SHORT SALE

If a homeowner owes more on their property than it is currently worth then they can hire a qualified real estate agent to market and sell their property through the negotiation of a short sale with their lender.  This typically requires the property to be on the market and the homeowner must have a financial hardship to qualify.  Hardship can be simply defined as a material change in the financial stability of the homeowner between the date of home purchase and the date of the short sale negotiation.  Acceptable hardships include but are not limited to: payment increase, job loss, divorce, excessive debt, forced or unplanned relocation and more.

PLUS:       Allows homeowner to avoid foreclosure and salvage some of their credit rating.  Keep a foreclosure off the public record for an individual.  In many cases will allow homeowner to avoid a deficiency judgment.  Borrower may qualify for another mortgage in as little as 24 months (5 years for foreclosure). 

MINUS:      Short sales can be trying process in which a homeowner is best served by contracting with a qualified real estate agent to guide the way.

This represents only a summary of some of the solutions available to homeowners facing foreclosure.  Please call us today for a free confidential evaluation of your individual situation, property value and possible options.

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
Baltimore, Maryland (PRWEB) December 20, 2008   
For more information, please contact:
Ron Howard @ 410-814-2404
www.ShortSaleBaltimore.com

Ron Howard of RE/MAX Sails has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Baltimore area, many homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers, and there lenders on complicated short sales,” said Howard. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Ron Howard with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

For more information about the CDPE designation or to find out more information, please call 1-410-814-2404. Sellers are advised to obtain legal advice regarding the advisability and terms of any short sale agreement with creditor(s) and professional tax advice regarding the tax implications of any such sale.