Foreclosures and Scam Artists in Ann Arbor
Lately, it has been all over the news about the amount of foreclosure’s throughout the United State’s. According to reports,foreclosed homes are up 57%. That figure is staggering. Keep in mind, it is not 57% of all homes being foreclosed on, it is 57% up from the normal amount of 3%.
Not good, but not as bad as the media would make it out to be. If you are in trouble with your mortgage, Call your lender ASAP. Don’t wait for the letters to start arriving at your door. Many times, once a home is foreclosed on when the Realtor goes in to see the home and get it on the market, in the kitchen drawer sits all the letters from the bank.
Open those letters.
Call your bank.
They don’t want your home. Many times they are able to adjust your interest rate or hold off the forclosure. But, you must open the letter, read it and call them.
The HUD website is a good resource to find out more tips to avoid foreclosure.
One other caution, BEWARE of ANYONE who offers to pay your back payments and PAY off your debt. You have probably seen signs driving around Ann Arbor, “we buy your home for cash.” Sounds good, huh?
Due to the amount of homeowners in trouble, the scam artists are out in full force.
They may call you up, knock on your door with a pile of papers and have you sign documents that will give THEM the deed to your home. They look professional, act professional and seem like the “answers to your prayers”. They are not. They are wolves in sheeps clothing.
I had a lady call me a few weeks ago, because this had happened to her. She signed papers she did not understand, looking for relief, she gave her home away. They didn’t make the mortgage payments like they had promised.
Call your lender, should this happen to you. There is also a hotline number to call 1–800–4FRAUD8.
Here is a video to show you what to be aware of:
***The past two weeks, several of my buyer agents have been writing offers on foreclosed homes throughout Washtenaw County, they are competing with other offers in most every situation. The foreclosed homes are going quickly. If you need a list of foreclosed homes in Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County contact the Missy Caulk Team at 734–821–0757. ***
Next post… What is a “short sale” and how can this help me avoid foreclosure.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Two things come to mind: 1.) if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. (Be weary of signing a document over to someone who says “just sign here and it’ll be ok!”) 2.) don’t ignore the problem…shake a leg (a.k.a. get moving) you’ll lessen your troubles.
April 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Missy - gotta agree with Richard - if it sounds to good to be true - PLEASE check it out - you’ve given them great places to start!
April 18th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Ricardo, thanks good advice and I agree, but desperate sellers are so open to a miracle cure.
Cyndee, MWA
April 18th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Another good consumer resource is http://www.acorn.org, consumer advocates who have a very high success rate across the country helping homeowners KEEP their homes. In some areas, they are 60-70% successful. Acorn works successfully with a large number of lenders and they have partnerships with other consumer advocate groups.
Consumers should be wary of scam artists who want their equity. So called “white knight investors” are usually black knights looking for an investment for pennies on the dollar.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Nice write up Missy. We are seeing some of this too. Carpetbagging scumbags
April 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Missy,
Good article with sound advice. Communication help solve so many problems whereas burying your head in the sand does nothing to help.
It always amazes me to see how many sleeze bags come out of the closet when there are problems. So, your warning I hope will help save a few of these unfortunate homeowners.
April 18th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Francis, great information, thanks.
Bob, LOL always trying to make $ the wrong way.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Missy, it’s so important to inform the public as to the real state of affairs in the local real estate, especially in the “dangerous” world of foreclosures. Great post.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Faina, thanks there are so many scammers out there, sellers just need to check the HUD site first.