The Viking Team, Distressed Property Expert!

Learn How to Avoid Foreclosure, a FREE Seminar for the Public

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:44:39 GMT

Learn How to Avoid Foreclosure, a FREE Seminar for the Public

I hope you’re doing well! I always like staying in touch with the members of my community. I wanted to let you know about a free seminar I’m putting on to inform homeowners in our community about their foreclosure-avoidance options. This seminar takes place from 7:30pm to 8:30 on June 21st, at The Longwood City Community Building at 200 West Warren Ave. Longwood.

You may not know this, but I’m a Certified Distressed Property Expert. This means I have an extensive knowledge of all the options available to homeowners facing financial hardship. Personally, I think that one foreclosure in our community is one too many! I know that foreclosure can be prevented with information alone.

Recent statistics show that more than 1 in 7 homeowners are behind on mortgage payments. In this market, chances are you or someone you know could use some help. That’s why this free seminar is so important. I want to help as many members of our community as I can to find assistance and solutions.

Be a hero in our community. Pass along this information to help someone learn how to avoid foreclosure and start a secure financial future.

I hope to see you and your friends there; this seminar is FREE and open to the public.

Thinking of buying a Short Sale Property?

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:46:34 GMT

Thinking of buying a Short-Sale Property?

With approx 1/3 to 1/2 of short sale contract newer closing, you need to choose your Realtor carefully and do your homework. There is a lot to gain buying a short sale, the biggest gain is that you will be able to get a bigger home for your money or you might be able to get in a neighborhood that you previously could not afford. Dian Hymer wrote an article on Inman News which sums it all up. This article is like spoken out of my own heart and is a must read for anyone that is thinking of buying a short sale. Click here to link to the article.

If you think that you need to sell your home in a Short Sale or that you need help finding a solution to your mortgage problem, then you might want to follow this link to my website www.avoidforeclosureincentralflorida.com which explains a lot of the options that a homeowner has today.

Avoiding Transparency and the new RESPA rules.

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:56:04 GMT

Avoiding Transparency and the new RESPA rules.

It is amazing how quickly lenders are finding ways to avoid the new RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedure Act) and avoiding this consumer protection act. Kenneth Harney wrote an interesting article in The Washington Post, January 16, 2010 title “Mortgage lenders can sidestep new rules to prevent lowball estimates”.

Let’s take a look at what the purpose of RESPA is: It is to make sure that the consumer (borrower) knows what is involved in borrowing and also the cost of borrowing or obtaining a mortgage for their home. Also the purpose of it is to empower the borrower to shop around for less expensive services. Keep in mind that borrowing funds is like renting, meaning you are renting the funds to purchase a home and when you rent you shop around so why not shop around when you borrow.

HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) has created a lot of print material to empower the borrowers and assist them with the loan process and make sure that they know their rights, their duties and what to expect. Among their publications is the Shopping for Your Loan booklet. Here is a link to HUD’s RESPA home page.

But let’s go back to the article that I mentioned above, in the article lenders defend why they can not give borrowers a GFE (Good Faith Estimate) and why they have to use worksheets instead. I wonder, do the lenders know what they are doing? They are running a business and selling services, if they do not know what the cost is or how their products work, should they be in this business? Some of the most common explanations a Judge gets from a homeowner in foreclosure is: I did not know about this balloon payment, I did not know this was an adjustable rate loan, I did not know this loan was interest only for the first two years and so on. In other words lender did not make sure that the borrowers knew what kind of a loan they were getting and I wonder, do these lenders still want to keep it this way, despite all the foreclosures and Short Sales?

When Mr. Harney asked HUD’s spokesman about their position on the worksheet, the response was: [I]“that although the rules are silent on the subject, worksheets can be a useful tool when the consumer doesn't want to give enough information for a formal application”. And he went on to say: [I]“if worksheets become commonplace and threaten to water down the consumer protections on settlement fees provided by the GFE reforms, her agency will need to take a thorough look at the situation and possibly issue "updated guidelines."” Reading between the lines of what the HUD spokesman said: Borrower you need to educate yourself about your rights and what is involved in the loan process and to the Lender if you do not get it right this time we will force you to do it right.

The bottom line is: Borrowers, Realtors, Loan Officers, Title Companies need to learn the new RESPA rules and regulations and start to practice them as a normal part of your business.

Are the Liar Loans HAMPering loan modifications?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:32:24 GMT

Are the Liar Loans HAMPering loan modifications?

When the Lenders had ample funds to loan and money was burning holes in their pockets, they were creative finding ways to qualify everyone for a mortgage. The Lenders had their marketing teams work on creating new and effective ways of qualifying people; it seemed to be the goal of getting everyone over their head in debt. If someone dared to say something negative about their way of doing business, the response was: You’re old fashioned, he is negative, and you’re pessimistic or something even worse. In their race to top each others marketing they created other loans like: No income, verified assets (NIVA) loans, no income, no assets (NINA) loans and no income, no assets, no job (NINJA) loans among other. These are what the industry calls LIAR LOANS, but the loan officer also told the buyer that the equity in the home would go up and they would be able to sell with profit in few years.

Let’s look at where we are now!

According to Housingwire.com we here in Florida surpassed California and now rank number two in the Nation with every 165 homes in danger of being bank owned, California has 180 in danger of being bank owned.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, third quarter National Delinquency Survey: The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate increased from 8.86 percent in the second quarter of 2009 to 9.94 percent this quarter. Also they state that percent of loans in foreclosure was 4.47, this means that total14.41 percent of all loans are 30+ days late or in foreclosure, which is the highest ever recorded in the MBA survey.

Then according to CNN Money 1 in 4 mortgages are underwater or up side down (negative equity) or within 5% of being there, a total of 13 million mortgages.

As we can see from the above there are a huge number of distressed homes out there.

What about all these rescue programs out there?

There has been a lot of effort from our government to save our homes, some of these programs are geared to help the public while others like the Neighborhood Stabilization Program are geared towards helping the lenders. Also some lenders have created their own programs to assist their borrowers, the sad things about all these programs is they have not worked as well as their designers were hoping. The fact that only 1,700 homeowners had pass through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in September, tells the whole story. It looks like that some homeowners who got these stated loans (liar loans) are afraid to follow up on the modification and for the first time bring in all their finance documents, like tax returns, all bank statements and so on. Then the government has programs for VA loan borrowers, FHA borrowers, some states have programs in place; there are even some Local Initiatives to assist homeowners that are having problems with their mortgages. In addition to all these programs, the courts have implemented mandatory mediation between the lenders and the borrowers when the lenders are trying to foreclose on a home. The courts are doing this due to the fact that many homeowners have complained to the Court about difficulties with communication with their Lenders.

What can be done to remove the HAMPering out of the HAMP and other programs?

Well I am a Realtor who has spent a lot of time learning about all these programs and how to communicate with homeowners and lenders, among other things that I have done is to study the most in depth class out there, The Certified Distressed Property Expert class and get the CDPE designation. In addition to this I read a lot about these issues. If you go on my main website www.TheVikingTeam.com and click on “Links” you will see that I have gathered a lot of links to the websites of all of these programs. The problem is that when you see all of these links you don’t know where to start, the system needs to be made more streamlined and easier to navigate for the homeowner. I and many of my fellow Realtors have set up websites for homeowners to look for and learn about what is available of assistance. My website is called: www.AvoidForeclosureInCentralFlorida.com

By setting up websites the Realtor is just showing that he cares and is trying to do his best for the homeowner, but this is not enough, more needs to be done and this is what I would like to see:

Service centers in every county where a homeowner who is in trouble or foreseeing problems could go to and talk to a person face to face that would explain to him/her, their situation and guide them on the right path to recovery.
Lenders streamline their phone system and make it more customer friendly, so that a homeowner in trouble who calls in does not have to be on hold for up to an hour or more, and then when they forward the homeowners call it is sent to someone who can help the homeowner (not to a debt collector) and guide him to a real solution. If this would happen then the banks might be able to collect more of the debt and reduce their losses.
I would like to see the media spend more of their time pointing out solutions and guide the homeowner in the right directions. We have all heard several times about scammers and illegal companies that are making money on other people’s problems, not that I am saying that they don’t need to be exposed. But I would like to see more time spent in getting homeowners to start saving their homes. Unfortunately there are too many homeowners out there that for some reason do not start the process of saving their homes.

After reading this article of mine, you might be asking yourself; why is he writing this? Well the answer is; I am fed up with seeing all this waste of time, funds and family well being that I see in the system today and I am not the kind of guy that sits in the corner and mumbles. I will try my best to change things to the better.

The Truth About Mortgage Modifications

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:23:28 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.

Petur Sigurdsson
321-263-5096

Tipping the Scales Toward Foreclosure?

Fear of foreclosure is a national epidemic.

Millions of homeowners fell behind on their mortgage payments last year, and then proceeded to fall further behind every month.

These are tough times and there are no easy answers.

The fact is, major lenders, the federal government, and local agencies across the country have stepped up their efforts to stem the tide of foreclosures. More help is available than ever before.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am knowledgeable and adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.

Looking to learn more? Check out my free report: "Tipping the Scales Toward Foreclosure? Resolve to Shed the Weight of an Unmanageable Mortgage in 2012."

And if you, or someone you care about is looking to tip the scales back into financial solvency, contact me today for a confidential consultation!

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!

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.

On the Edge of Losing Your Home?

When you or someone you know is pushed to the edge of foreclosure, it is vital to know that you have options.

It is my duty as a real estate professional to reach out to distressed homeowners. As a CDPE-designated agent, I have received extensive training to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

I created this site to provide a lifeline of information regarding alternatives. From short sales to loan modifications, I can provide information to help.

For a free report on foreclosure alternatives, fill out the form below and click "Send." Take action today and avoid falling into foreclosure. I'm only a phone call or email away.

Need a Helping Hand?

Compassion and connections to untangle your complicated mortgage challenges

If you or someone you care about is falling behind on your mortgage and owes more on your home than it is worth in today's market, you are not alone.

In fact, 6.3 million homeowners are in some stage of foreclosure right now.

As my recent report points out, there are currently 10.9 million homeowners in the United States who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth in today's market.

Far too often, homeowners in this situation feel that they have no other choice but to let their home fall into foreclosure.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am tapped into the best solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start. If you'd like to learn more, I invite you to access my free report: "Need a Helping Hand? If the market and your mortgage have tossed you a curve, you are not alone."

Contact me today and let's get started!

Short Sale & Deed-In-Lieu

Contrary to what you may have heard, lenders actually want to avoid foreclosure wherever possible. That’s why they’re accepting more short sale and deed-in-lieu transactions everyday in an effort to eliminate unnecessary foreclosures. This is great news for homeowners facing financial distress.

To help you understand more about these two options, I’ve prepared a free report just for you, called ‘Short Sale & Deed-in-Lieu: Dignified Solutions.’ To receive your free report, please provide your information in the fields below.

I hope you’ll review these options carefully and pass this information along to those who may need it. I commend your efforts to finding a solution to the difficult financial situation that you or someone you know is currently facing. Providing the best advice and information in your time of need is my priority.

Let me help you evaluate your options and get you back on track to a secure financial future.

Change the Course!

You Can Change the Course!

If you feel like shifting economic winds have not been in your favor lately, you are in good company. More than 6 million homeowners nationwide are in some stage of foreclosure.

If this is the case with you or someone you care about, you are all too aware of the stress and uncertainty that accompanies notices of default, unwanted phone calls and offers of help that turn out to be no help at all.

The fact is, the last thing your bank wants is to foreclose on your home. Banks are willing to negotiate, and you need someone on your side who is adept at negotiating with banks.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am tapped into the best solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start. If you'd like to learn more, I invite you to access my free report: "Change the Course! And Navigate Away from an Unmanageable Mortgage."

Contact me today and let's get started!

Options and Solutions

Thank you for visiting this site and taking the first step toward finding answers. I appreciate what it has taken for you to come here, and commend your efforts to get the facts about your situation. The current real estate environment can be frustrating, with misinformation and conflicting plans for how to proceed.

As a real estate agent, what I often see in troubled homeowners is a belief that they are alone with their challenges. Regrettably, over 70% of homeowners in foreclosure proceed without ANY visible assistance. This is not acceptable for the communities I serve.

That's why I've developed this site: to ensure you get the valuable resources that can reduce your financial strain and change your life for the better. As a CDPE I know the options for homeowners in foreclosure or delinquent on their mortgages, and I can send you a report detailing this information, prepared just for you.

Simply enter your information below and click "Send." I hope that you will review this information carefully, so that your next steps are the right steps toward a real solution.

Let me help you evaluate your options and get back on track to a solid, stable future.

Are You Living Under the Cloud of an Unmanageable Mortgage

An Unmanageable Mortgage Clouds Everything

When families are tapped out financially and faced with the uncertainty of not knowing how much longer they'll be able to stay in their home, the prospect of planning or having a positive outlook on the future seems out of the question.

Many financially strapped homeowners feel frozen in action and it's no wonder, but here's the most important point that you need to know:

Even though millions of homes have been lost to foreclosure, you and those you care about absolutely do not need to add to that statistic.

More help is available now than ever before.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.

If you, or someone you care about is looking to get out from under the cloud of unmanageable mortgage contact me today for a confidential consultation!

Mortgage Crisis Easier

Solving Your Mortgage Crisis Just Got Easier

If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, the strain of figuring out what to do can be overwhelming.

Why do it alone when you can have a dedicated, extensively trained professional on your side at no cost to you?

Both lenders and the federal government are putting new systems in place to help you avoid foreclosure. For access to free, detailed information explaining these programs, simply download the report below.

On this website, you can find information regarding all of your options. When you call me to find out what you can do to take advantage of these options, I will show you how having straightforward solutions to your mortgage challenge can help you to breathe a little easier.

For more specific information and to see if you qualify, please, call me today! The sooner you call the sooner you can breathe a sigh of relief!

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.

Government Program Surveys

Are You Eligible?

The government programs currently available to homeowners can be valuable resources, but only if you know which ones are right for your situation.

That’s why I’ve created this free resource that lets you find out which programs you’re eligible for. Read the descriptions for each program to see which one fits your situation, then fill out the corresponding survey to see if you are eligible.

Find out now if you are eligible!

The good news is that programs exist for a variety of situations, and even more options are available beyond those programs. As a CDPE-designated agent, I can provide all of your possibilities and help you get moving toward a solution.

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!

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.

7 Short Sale Myths

There are millions of homeowners just like you who are looking for answers and don’t know what to do. You’re not alone and you’re in the right place.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have training and experience in providing solutions to homeowners facing financial hardship. Despite my best efforts, there’s still an overwhelming amount of misinformation about the options available, especially short sales.

To give you a better idea of the short sale option, and to set straight some of the myths you may have heard, I’ve prepared a free report just for you - please fill out the information below to receive your free report. This report will clarify the following myths:

The Bank Would Rather Foreclose Than Bother With A Short Sale
You Must Be Behind On Your Mortgage To Negotiate A Short Sale
There Is Not Enough Time To Negotiate A Short Sale Before My Foreclosure
Listing My Home As A Short Sale Is An Embarrassment
Short Sales Are Impossible And Never Get Approved
Banks Are Waiting On A Bailout And Not Accepting Short Sales
Buyers Are Not Interested In Short Sale Properties

These ideas are potentially harmful to homeowners seeking real solutions. I hope you’ll review this information for yourself or share it with a homeowner in need.

In these times, we all need to know the truth to know how to get back on track.

If you have any additional concerns about this issue, or your circumstances are urgent, please give me a call.

Petur Sigurdsson
321-263-5096

Short Sales vs Foreclosures

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

Making the Right Choice for a Stable Future

The US housing crisis has claimed millions of victims. Unfortunately, many homeowners are losing their homes to the bank because either they think that a short sale will have the same financial effect as a foreclosure or they don't know their options.

The good news is that homeowners don't have to navigate this process on their own. I am available for those who need my expertise to get back on the path to stability.

If you, or someone you know has questions about this information, or would like to get started creating a plan, call me today.

The more proactive we are, the better the chance of finding financial freedom and stability.

Feeling Financially Squeezed

Feeling Financially Squeezed?

Escape the Grip of Forecloure

If you are struggling with the emotional stranglehold of foreclosure, I'm here to help. With my assistance, we can start the process of putting you back on the path to stability.

As a CDPE, I have extensive training to serve the needs of homeowners in circumstances where they feel they have no options. The reality is that you have many.

Because millions of Americans are struggling with unaffordable mortgage payments, lenders are more than ever encouraged to work with homeowners to find a solution that benefits all parties.

To find out more about foreclosure alternatives that are available to you, click and download the free report I've created on this website.

Call me today. The sooner we get started the more time we'll have to devise a strategy to help you breathe a little easier and restore hope for the future.

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!

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.

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.