Between January 2007 and July 2008 there 52,258 foreclosure starts in MO according to HUD. Of those 4,485 were in St. Louis City and 10,028 were in St. Louis County. According to the Center for Responsible Lending we can expect to see another 40,000 foreclosures in MO between September 2008 and December 2009.

In an effort to stem this crisis the Metro St. Louis Foreclosure Intervention Taskforce was created to develop and implement strategies that decrease the number of foreclosures. The taskforce works with local home owners, encouraging them to call the HOPE Hotline (888-995-HOPE) which is a national foreclosure counseling service operated by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation.

Additionally the Taskforce has developed a brochure detailing tips for avoiding foreclosure which can be downloaded at their site. Below are a few that I’d like to highlight.

#6: Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can hlep you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you this assistance.

#10: Don’t lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams. If any firm claims they can stop your forclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your house. Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate agent, or a HUD approved counselor.

HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agencies
Beyond Housing 314-533-0600
Better Family Life, Inc. 314-367-1843
Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center 314-241-560
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis 314-615-360
Legal Services of Easter Missouri 314-534-4200

Appraisals are a common part of most real estate transactions. Anytime a person applies for a loan an appraisal is ordered to help the bank determine whether or not making the loan will be a good risk. There are many other reasons to order an appraisal but in this case (seeking a loan) the appraiser is working for the bank.

Appraisals are not an exact science, but there is a very detailed process that appraisers must go through to determine value. Their intended audience is the underwriter at the bank who will be approving the loan. The appraiser’s job is to be the eyes and ears for the bank and they are required to stick to the facts. However, since no two homes are exactly alike there are many subjective “facts”

A bit about the process

First step is to gather data by researching the tax records and MLS. Apraisers must also study the subject property’s sales history for the past three years, determine the zoning for and around the subject property, acquire the tax information, study the site and select appropriate comps.

Selecting comparable properties is one of the most important factors that helps appraisers determine value.

A comp must be similar in design: a ranch home must be compared with a ranch home.

A comp must be within 1 mile radius (for the city this radius is even smaller)

A good comp must have sold within the last 6 months

A comp must be similar in site and size

Again, since no two homes are ever the same, adjustments must be made for amenities like fireplaces, spa-bathrooms and hardwood floors. The adjustments are made to the comparable properties and if the net of all the adjustments made alter the value by more than 15% either way, the comp is discarded.

Another part of the appraiser’s job is to study the terms of the contract. The appraiser is required to review all the terms of the contract, including all offers, counter offers and addendums including any kind of concession in terms of closing costs and prepaids to determine how these conditions will affect value.

The appraisal is performed at the expense of the buyer and the cost of the appraisal will be billed to the buyer at closing in the form of closing costs. While the appraisal is techinically done for the benefit of the lender it is still an important safe guard for the purchaser. According to the SLAR Appraisal Rider, the buyer has three choices if their appraisal does not meet the agreed upon purchase price stated in the contract.

1. The buyer can terminate the contract with earnest money returned to the buyer.

2. The contract can be renegotiated to reflect the value stated in the appraisal.

3. The buyer can continue with the agreed upon purchase price if the buyer can bridge the gap between appraisal and purchase price with the buyer’s own funds.