Thursday, August 15, 2013

Foreclosure in Michigan and Nationwide


There are several interesting trends emerging in national foreclosure statistics.

While Foreclosure Activity was up 2% in the nation, several areas have experienced more than their fair share of foreclosure activity and bank repossessions.  While the state of Michigan may have gone through the worst of value depreciation, recent trends indicate that the recent run-up in values may not be sustainable.

Some trends that lead us to these conclusions:

-          According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure activity was up in July 2013

-          Many properties have experienced value increases, but many more are sitting on the marketplace unsold

-          Banks still hold a tremendous amount of inventory that has yet to be released to the marketplace

-          All indications are that interest rates will continue to rise, constraining values and limiting homeowners ability to purchase

-          A large percentage of purchases in Michigan are from investors, looking to buy rental properties or “flip” them at a profit

-          If a homeowner experienced hardship in the past, they are unable to find the financing to help them purchase a new home or keep their existing home.

Additionally, a recent report on Detroit Bank Foreclosures indicates that the median price of a foreclosed home falls to $25,000.  Why is the bank willing to take a lot less, and the investor/homebuyer willing to pay a lot more?

An opportunity exists for the distressed homeowner to save their property, reduce or eliminate their negative equity, and re-establish their homeowner status.

Before you consider walking away from your home (through whatever means that may be- Deed-In-Lieu, Short-Sale, Foreclosure, or Abandonment), consider that there are resources for the homeowner to potentially save their property (such as HomeLiberty) and if you roll-over for the bank, you will be encouraging the type of behavior that has seen many families lose their homes, their financial futures, and any potential gain through value gains. 

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