Destin Florida Short Sales & Real Estate by Wendy Rulnick: Florida

Inviting Fort Walton Beach Florida home in Elliotts Point with water view across the street from Choctawhatchee Bay. Elegant hardwood floors draw you in, with enormous living and family rooms. More space for entertaining with the heated and cooled Florida room, and large screened porch. The kitchen is long with many cupboards, and has a breakfast bar open to the family room with gas fireplace. The back yard is deep and has an huge workshop that mimics the house. There is a greenhouse finished with a rock bottom is behind the workshop. The home needs substantial plumbing work and other repairs.  This location is serene with many charming older homes.  Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field are easy commutes. Okaloosa Island beaches are nearby.

18 Bay Dr., NE, Fort Walton Beach FL - Offered for $127,900 is a Bank of America cooperative short sale.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

www.Shortsales-EmeraldCoast.com

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

Roll up your sleeves! This Niceville Florida pre foreclosure short sale home needs work, but with its openness, pool, guest cottage and large yard, you could make it fabulous. Originally built in 1945, it's had some upgrades since then, but needs cosmetic and mechanical attention.  If you can replace the carpet and vinyl, and install a new air conditioner, you're on your way. The guest cottage has a small kitchen, living room and bedroom. The in-ground pool and lawn are the shining features, with a large patio and big fenced back yard.

This Niceville Florida home is in the Seminole area, and is a Bank of America short sale listing.

1425 Hickory St., Niceville Florida - offered for $79,900

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Niceville Florida short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This Church Street home in Santa Rosa Beach Florida was originally purchased as a short sale in 2009.  For the second time, it is being sold as a short sale, just approved by J.P. Morgan Chase. The mortgage was backed by Ginnie Mae, and was a USDA loan, which offers  mortgages to rural areas throughout the U.S. 

Lender: Chase
Mortgage Type: Ginnie Mae USDA
Balance: appr $220,000
Junior Liens: none
Sale Price appr $200,000
Seller Cash Contribution: -0-
Seller Promissory Note: -0-
Deficiency: none

Although Chase's short sale approval letter did not specifically address a waiver of deficiency, the Chase negotiator quoted me USDA loss mitigation guidelines, which state there is no pursuit for the balance of the unpaid note.  I researched online and found the following information about USDA loans sold as short sales, which the USDA calls "pre foreclosure sales" or "PFS":

"A borrower who successfully sells the property securing the loan using the PFS option is relieved of the mortgage obligation. The borrower shall not be pursued for deficiency judgments by either the Servicer or the Agency."

Other things to note about USDA short sales - you must have a hardship, and be at least 31 days late on your mortgage payment or facing "imminent default". For more information about Ginnie Mae or USDA short sale help in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, email me at itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Santa Rosa Beach FL short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

 
One of the biggest sources of confusion I find with Eglin Air Force Base HAP sales from the seller comes at closing.  First, if you don't know what HAP is - it's the Homeowner Assistance Program from the Department of Defense.  It's designed to help military members who have permanent change of station orders (PCS), and are "upside down" in their home values, i.e. owe more on their mortgages than their property's market value. HAP will pay the mortgage deficit under certain circumstances, which helps the service member avoid the credit impact of short sale or foreclosure due to their mandatory relocation.

One of the stipulations of HAP is that the Eglin airman is current on his mortgage payments, taxes and association dues, or that is the extent to which the benefits apply. For example, if you were six months behind in your mortgage, HAP would not pay the amounts in arrears to satisfy your bank. You must. So what's the issue? Even service members who are "current" on their mortgage payments will normally owe a pro-rated amount of mortgage interest, taxes and maybe association dues at closing. Remember, mortgage interest is paid in arrears. If you have a payment due on March 1, that would cover the interest for the month of February, not March. 

My last HAP seller asked me why he had a bill for almost $1500 at time of closing from the U.S. Government title agent.  I told him it was probably his mortgage proration. He said, "But I made my mortgage payment!" I said, "Yes, but that covered the previous month."  If your closing is mid-month, you would owe about two weeks worth of interest to your mortgage company, which will be collected by the title agent to pay your lender at closing.  That goes for taxes and association fees, too. 

Florida's property taxes are paid one year in arrears (not all states handle their property taxes the same way).  That means that the tax bill for your Navarre, Niceville, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach or Destin property covers the previous year (arrears). If you close on September 1, for example, the buyer will still receive the tax bill for the time YOU owned the property during the past year. That wouldn't be fair, would it? So at time of closing, you have to reimburse the buyer the eight months to apply to the tax bill they will be getting at the end of the year. Yes, your mortgage company normally (but not always) escrows this amount in your total mortgage payment. You will get a reimbursement check after closing for any remaining balance in your escrow account. But for the HAP closing, you will owe the year-to-date taxes that are due.  The same applies to homeowners association dues.  The government won’t pay those on your behalf.

So what is a reasonable expectation for funds the Eglin service member might
need for closing? Set aside enough to cover one mortgage payment, and potentially, almost a year tax obligation. You probably will not need all of it, but be prepared “just in case”.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com 

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This home at 303 N Holiday Rd., Miramar Beach Florida was just approved for short sale.  This was the second buyer for this home in Holiday Shores, as the first buyer defaulted (failed to close).  There was only one mortgage holder. According to Bank of America, the property did not qualify for the HAFA program, so we did a traidtional short sale. Here are the details:

Lienholder: Bank of America

Mortgage Balance: $244,000 appr

Reason for Short Sale:  Income reduction

Appr Sale Price:  $175,000

Seller Cash Cont: -0-

Seller Promissory Note: -0-

Waiver of Deficiency: Yes

Time for Approval: 60 days

Notes:  Bank of America initially asked the seller for a cash contribution. To obtain a waiver, we had the seller write an additional letter explaining why a cash contribution could not be made.  This was uploaded into the Equator system and the Holiday Shores short sale was then approved.

If you need to short sale your Miramar Beach Florida home, consult with an attorney and an experienced Miramar Beach short sale agent.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Miramar Beach Florida short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This home in The Meadows, in Navarre Florida was just approved as a VA Compromise Sale.  The gorgeous 2008 property with in-ground pool and three car garage, went under contract in about 30 days.  We prepared the VA short sale package for Citi Mortgage, faxed it, followed up and received approval for our seller in 24 days!

What is normally included in a simple VA Compromise Sale package?
Hardship Letter
Dodd-Frank Certification
Two years tax returns
Financial worksheet
Proof of Income
Bank Statements
Preliminary Settlement Statement
Listing Agreement
Buyer Proof of Funds
Contract (purchase and sale agreement)
Authorization to speak with listing broker

What are the benefits of a VA Compromise Sale?
The borrower will not have to pay back the shortfall (if there was no fraud, misrepresentation or bad faith when the loan was obtained) 
There is currently a $1500 relocation bonus paid to the VA borrower at closing

What are the negatives of a VA Compromise Sale?
You cannot obtain another VA mortgage loan unless you pay back the government loss
Your credit will be reported as "Paid in full for less than the full balance"
You may owe federal taxes depending on current tax law and your total financial picture

One of the key differences between VA Compromise Sale program and traditional short sales is that you must have a hardship.  Nowadays, so-called “strategic” short sales are more common, where the borrower no longer wants the property, has no financial hardship, so participates in the loss by contributing cash or agrees to a promissory note to obtain a short sale. This is not the case with a VA mortgage. You must be at risk of default, and not have your own cash available to contribute. 

More questions about VA Compromise Sale?  Email me at itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Navarre Florida Short Sale Agent

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

I was flattered to have been recently interviewed by Kiplinger Magazine regarding the state of short sales.  The story, "Escape the Debt Trap" is in the February edition of the magazine.  It highlighted one of my Destin Florida real estate client's experiences in short sales of her properties in Destin and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  Angela Angelovic hired me to help her "short sale" three houses over the last few years, two investment properties and a primary residence.  She is now on her way to rebuilding her financial life, feeling "relieved." The Kiplinger article emphasized that one-fifth of U.S. homeowners are "upside down" in their home's market value versus mortgage balance, and that short sale is a strategy that can help free you from your debt "trap".  Also discussed were methods of reducing credit card debt, student loan debt and medical bills. The reporter, Pat Mertz Esswein, states "If you pursue a short sale, look for an experienced agent who knows the local market values, is familiar with lenders and their short sale process, and can zero in on patient buyers". 

She noted that most of my short sale approvals were obtained with waiver of deficiency.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Destin Short Sale Help

www.RulnickRealty.com

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This beautiful Fort Walton Beach Florida home, near Lowe's and Sam's, was sold in just over 60 days!  Part of the appeal of 728 Hart Dr. was the fantastic remodeling, especially in the kitchen.  Granite counters, tile backsplashes, new cabinets and new appliances were some of the upgrades.  The home, built in 1987, was over 1700 square feet, and was impeccably maintained.  The lot was about one-half acre, which is unusual for Fort Walton Beach, where most lots are smaller. Listed at $177,900, there were multiple offers. 

728 Hart Dr., Fort Walton Beach sold for $170,000. The sellers contributed $5,500 toward buyer closing costs.  Why is that important to know?  When using this sale as a "comparable" sale to price other properties, the significant seller credit means, in essence, the home sold for $164,500.  For example, if a homeowner with an identical property asked me what their home would sell for, I would not tell them $170,000 - that would be too high. I would suggest they keep in mind that relocating military buyers coming into Eglin Air Force Base, typically ask for seller credits to help pay closing costs.  That must be kept in mind when anticipating net proceeds.  I hope that makes sense to you. If not, send me an email and I will explain further.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Fort Walton Beach real estate

Fort Walton Beach short sale agent

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. 

This is a fun home at 1215 Thomason Dr., with eclectic and enticing touches in Pine Meadows, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Some of the interesting elements are the arched pass-through from kitchen, repeating arch accent above kitchen entrance. Vibrant pendant lights above breakfast bar. Popping red tray ceiling, dining room with lively and inviting wall decor. Mostly tile and wood laminate floors. Big, fenced back yard with brick barbecue. New fence 2005. Air conditioner replaced within past 5 years.  Seller repairing French door and installing new pedestal sink.  Located in the Wright, Willow Bend area of Fort Walton Beach, this home is perfect for Eglin Air Force Base commuters. It is a Bank of America cooperative short sale.

1215 Thomason Dr., Fort Walton Beach FL - offered at $98,700.

It's Wendy!

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Call toll-free 1-877-487-9639 or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email Wendy: itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Fort Walton Beach Florida short sale help

Wendy Rulnick, Broker, is a short sale and pre-foreclosure specialist and has been featured in "Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine" and "Florida Realtor Magazine". She has successfully helped hundreds of families avoid foreclosure through short sale along the Emerald Coast of Florida. Wendy Rulnick is knowledgeable in all aspects of short sale, including VA Compromise Sale, FHA HUD pre-foreclosure sale, HAP military PCS, HAFA, Bank of America Coop program and more.  She is also co-founder of www.ShortSaleSuperstars.com and short sale instructor to agents across the United States. Wendy Rulnick sells real estate in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Crestview, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Panama City Beach, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field.