Farmington Hills Short Sale Realtor : "Any Realtor can list a short...

Farmington Hills Short Sale Realtor : Any Realtor can list a short Sale but not every Realtor can close one, Michigan Certified Distress Property Expert, Mike Sher Max Broock (248) 496-1572

I have been spending a lot of time showing homes to buyers recently, which is a nice way to get out of the office!  As a Short Sale listing agent, I often spend my days calling, emailing & negotiation with banks and less time out in the field.  I was shocked at how many bank owned homes were previously listed as a short sale by  " So Called Short Sale Expert Realtors".  It reminds me that though any Realtor can list a Short Sale, few are able to close them.  

In the past most Realtor would avoid distress sales because they were too much work. They focused on traditional sales that are easier.   But now most Realtors will take any listing because they need the business.  A Short Sale listing yields sign calls and can get the Realtor more listings, but sadly some Realtors are more focused on getting the business thengetting the short sale approved.   I write this not to bad mouth my fellow Realtors but to alarm the public so they wll qualify the agent they trust to Short Sale thier home.  Many Realtors will do a fine job for you. But a few just want a their sign in your yard.

First qualify the agent:

1. The agent needs to prove that have closed at least a dozen short sales in the past. 
2. They should have letters of reference from past Short Sale closings.
3. Agent needs to demonstrate that they are aware of the changes in the short sale process like:
   1. FHA pre-foreclosure program
   2. HAFA, Co-Op program
   3. other such programs.
   4. They must show they have the time to negotiate your short sale.
   5. They need to prove they have the tools and process in place to get your Short Sale approved.

For an example, my qualifications are,

1. I spend 20+ hours a week reading:
   1. Short sale blogs and forums to keep me up to date
   2. Government information sites like FNMA's Know you options site, Making Home Affordable and Hamp
   3. Plus other information sites to keep up to date on changes in the short sale process. 
2. I attend 3 to 6 Short Sale webnars hosted by CDPE and Bank Of America a month
3. I attend the Certified Distress Property Expert yearly conference where I meet top Short Sale agents like myself to discuss success strategies.  
4. My Team closed dozens of short sales and have over a 90% closing percentage.
5. I teach short sale classes for Realtors at my local board of the Me...
6. I am a certified Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants educator on the subject of Distress Property. 
7. I write a weekly blog with 100's of readers including you :). 
8. In 2010, my Team sold 75 units with $10 million in volume
9. I am a Short Sale consult for several local law firms and brokerages
10. I am a Fox 2 Detroit guest regarding Short Sales
11. A feature Short Sale resource for the Detroit Free Press Blog and Birmingham/Bloomfield Eagle

So before you sign on the listing agreement, make sure your Realtor has a track record of Short Sale success.