It is an enormous frustration to investors doing short sales that the lenders take months to make a decision and just don’t seem to care. The homeowner stuck in the middle gets frustrated because he doesn’t know how soon he will be required to move or worse, be evicted from his former home. In fact, the business of short sales by lenders is a gigantic part of their business and is absolutely necessary to keep their inventory of homes (REO’s) as low as possible.

Despite the benefit to the lender and to the investor, the investor-buyer is often treated as a “bottom feeder” and with minimal respect. Why should the lender treat investors any differently? Common sense, which is not all so common, would say that getting rid of a headache is better than suffering. However, if lenders agreed quickly to short sale offers, they would be putting their portfolio at risk by not doing good and proper due diligence with regard to the real value of the property. In the old days, an investor could walk into a local bank office and ask if they had an REO’s. The clerks or tellers would send them to an officer who would have a few properties that were For Sale by the bank. These days are gone in 99% of the country. To avoid favoritism and possible fraud, these transactions are centralized in loss mitigation facilities throughout the country. All foreclosure cases are handled by these highly trained professionals that are taught how to handle investors.

Handling investors is very simple. The investors who get short sales done quickly and efficiently are offering way too much money, usually 80+% of the mortgage amount due. Lenders will take this 20% discount all day long. The real short sale specialists are the ones who work diligently and get discounts of 30% to 50% off. To get this amount the lender has to cool his heals and have the property listed on the MLS® to make certain the property can’t be sold for a more reasonable price.

Investors target the deficiencies in the property and any weaknesses the lender will have to correct or pay for until the property is sold through a realtor. If the realtor lists the property too high, there will be no offers. If he lists it too low, he will have offers but the buyer will have the low offering price on the MLS® to contend with when he rehabs and re-sells it to retail buyer, resulting in some buyers not being able to get financing.

The loss mitigation reps have hundreds of cases assigned to them and are paid on performance. Yes, the lender knows how much he is willing to discount each and every mortgage that comes into loss mitigation. So despite the best efforts of the investor to de-value the property, the loss mitigation rep already knows the amount he can allow the mortgage to be discounted. The “loss mit rep” knows because he has access to real estate agents’ price opinions (BPO’s), real estate agents’ comparative market analysis (CMA’s) and appraisals that all indicate the fair market value at a specific time.

The public records are reviewed to see what other issues the lender may face. Finally, a “kick-out” price is determined by a supervisor and the loss mit rep is given a monetary incentive to get anything higher for the mortgage. What happens is the loss mit rep is actually bidding against himself by allowing the investor too low a price. So the incentive is to control the investor by driving him crazy by not answering calls, and holding off as long as possible. If the short sale isn’t completed it is not a demerit against the loss mit rep.

The system of loss mitigation is inherently flawed by the way lenders compensate their employees and the number of cases (250+) each rep is required to handle. The cases that get the attention are the ones with the highest offers or lowest discounts because the loss mit rep gets a higher compensation. Unfortunately, this means that viable properties are left to sit and decay that could have been sold quickly otherwise and often for more money. So the lenders may care about getting properties off their books, but their loss mitigation system is flawed in the favor of the people who should be interested in doing the best job for the lender, not the homeowner or the investor.

Moneyfacts has revealed the number of mortgage products offered by mortgage lenders for new borrowers is at its lowest value since the start of the credit crunch.

One year ago mortgage lenders offered 10,726 mortgage products to new borrowers; last Friday mortgage lenders offered only 3,281 according to the financial website Moneyfacts. In July last year when the market was buoyant mortgage lenders offered 13,027 offers to new borrowers and at much better rates currently available from mortgage lenders.

One of the mortgage lenders, Abbey has also confirmed that they won’t be passing on the Bank of England half point interest rate cut to borrowers meaning the interest rate on all Abbey’s tracker mortgages will remain the same unlike many other mortgage lenders. However if you mortgage is currently with Abbey your will automatically receive the rate cut. Other Mortgage lenders have also decided to leave their rates the same, including the now nationalised Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley.

Potential new borrowers have welcomed the half percent rate cut to 4.5%, many expecting their mortgage lenders to cut the rates however as we have seen with Abbey and many others not all mortgage lenders are passing the savings onto their customers.

Mortgage lenders Lloyds TSB and Cheltenham and Gloucester, which Lloyds TSB owns, have announced new customers, will now require 25% deposits to secure new tracker mortgages as opposed to the previous 10% asked for by these mortgage lenders.

However it isn’t all bad news; many mortgage lenders have passed the FULL rate cut onto borrowers. These include the following mortgage lenders; Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, the Woolwich and First Direct. These mortgage lenders standard variable rates (SVR) will be reduced in the near future, shortly after the cut.

Very few mortgage holders have their repayments with mortgage lenders based on SVR however many find themselves paying this rate when their fixed-rate deal runs out to their mortgage lenders. Mortgage lenders transfer you onto this rate unless you sign up for a new fixed rate deal. SVR is more often than not the most expensive way to have a mortgage with mortgage lenders with repayments to mortgage lenders predicted to rise by as much as 10%.

Although the number of mortgage products offered by mortgage lenders is at their lowest, mortgage lenders are still offering competitive rates that can save you hundreds of pounds in repayments each year over current mortgage lenders. By planning ahead, first of all checking what rate your current mortgage lenders will charge you once your current rate ends and then by searching the market to see the offers available from other mortgage lenders; you can ensure you are getting the best rate for you. Using the services of a mortgage broker can save you time and most will search all mortgage lenders giving you whole market advice and allow you to make an informed decision and give you piece of mind to know you have chosen from the best mortgage lenders offers.

Contrary to what you may think, you don’t manage your credit applications and payments in a vacuum. Your credit behavior (as some have learned the hard way) is tracked by credit bureaus such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion of Canada.

This information is tabulated, and then you are assigned a credit rating. It’s important for you to maintain as high a rating as possible. The following information shows you how you can be sure to earn a good score, and why it’s so important to do so.

Lenders Have Access To This Information.

Think about it. When you decide to apply for a mortgage for a home purchase, or a hefty loan for home renovation – don’t you want A+ right up there beside your good name?

Your Good Name Is Really What It’s All About.

In the financial world, your credit profile is your reputation. If you have a good record, it means smooth sailing ahead for you. If your record isn’t all it should be, you might be in for a bit of rough weather when it comes to acquiring the monies you need — at the interest rates you want.

Your Payment History.

Credit card debt — is one of the most important factors considered when your score is being tabulated. Any missed, late, or neglected payments are duly noted. Not only does a prompt payment history buff your credit image — it saves you money in interest, and assures a quicker retiring of that debt too.

Timeliness Of Payments.

Actual amount of payments, the state of your credit card balances versus credit available, the number of cards you own, the frequency of your requests for more credit – These are just some of the tidbits of personal financial information that make up your credit profile. This comprehensive history is compiled to show lenders how reliable a debt risk you are. To put it simply they want to know whether or not you are credit worthy.

Your credit score is established with a mathematical formula.

Various factors are weighed and balanced and given a certain percentage value towards your final score. Credit bureaus also take into consideration — in addition to factors already mentioned — your existing debt burden, your actual and potential income (remember you do give out these details when you apply for credit), your debt to income ratio, your past financial problems (any bankruptcy or foreclosure remains a long time on record), your job stability -

essentially any piece of public information that helps build an accurate as possible risk assessment of you as debtor.

Your Credit Rating Is A Fluid And An Ever-Changing Thing.

It is dependent upon your present financial circumstances and any actions you make. The credit bureaus always follow your money trail. Because the formation of your profile is an on going thing, it’s vital for you to consistently practice reliable and responsible debt handling. The good news? The ever-changing quality of your credit rating allows you to continually aim for a higher score. Think of your rating — not as a burden — but as a challenge and an opportunity.

Infrequent Requests For Additional Credit?

That’s a really good sign to a lender. Keep in mind that mortgage and loan shopping won’t impact you negatively if it’s done in a concentrated time period. The credit bureaus interpret this flurry of activity positively — as long as it doesn’t occur too frequently. You want to look savvy, not desperate.

How Much Plastic Is Too Much?

Too many credit cards red flag you to potential lenders. Limit your cards to three or four, and try to maintain longtime use of at least one card. This is a key way to build up an excellent credit history. The amount of credit you use, versus credit available, is really telling too. Keep your balances low.

It’s Your Right To Pull Up Your Credit Report Profile.

This is something that is in your interest to do so. (You can do this online at www.equifax.com). Experts advise you to check it out at least once a year. Doing so gives you the opportunity to correct any errors or misinformation that may be there. Practice reliable and responsible debt management.

Then, when you do actually need money for a major undertaking (like the purchase of a home), your credit rating will be an asset, not a liability.

If you are in Denver or Colorado and looking for a home loan there are many options for you, thanks to technology. You can look for a loan from anywhere in the country, but that doesn’t mean you should if you are looking to buy a refinance a Denver or Colorado mortgage.

No one has the knowledge of Denver or Colorado home loans like local Denver mortgage lenders, despite the fact you can shop for a Colorado or Denver mortgage online or fill out a Colorado and Denver application with the press of a button. Those far removed from the unique housing market of the area can really give you the understanding you need for a Denver and Colorado mortgage.

Colorado and Denver Mortgage lenders and their knowledge

The real estate market in Colorado is its own animal. It’s unique and a Colorado mortgage company will know that. Denver mortgage lenders understand that you can find modest single family homes, investment properties, luxury homes and vacation

properties all in the same market. Other markets are very different, with not as many kinds of properties available, so lenders outside the market may try to fit only one type of Denver and Colorado home loans to a lender — without success. Those seeking Denver Colorado home loans and properties will be more successful if they find a Denver mortgage lender who can offer more products specifically targeted to the individual’s needs.

The unique nature of the market means you must have someone working for you with a good knowledge base of Denver and Colorado home loans and a Denver or Colorado mortgage company that can get to a variety of products.

The best Denver mortgage lenders should be able to access many different funding sources for Denver Colorado home loans, jumbo loan products for those seeking larger Denver Colorado home loan and standard Denver Colorado home loans for conforming loans under $417,000.

With these products, Denver mortgage lenders can also provide program flexibility, with the ability to access both fixed and variable rate products for Denver mortgage lenders serving short- and long-term home seekers.

Different buyers have different Denver Colorado home loan needs, including those who want to sell after a few years, those who are looking to refinance and those who want to stay in their homes for a long time and want stable Denver Colorado home loan payments (and preferred fixed rate loans from Denver mortgage lenders).

The bottom line for those looking for a loan is that the needs will differ depending on what kind of loan you want and need. Finding the best rates for your needs means finding a good Denver and Colorado mortgage company which is flexible and experienced enough to provide a good Denver and olorado home loan. Consumer watch groups like the Tom Martino mortgage referral system can help those shopping for Denver Colorado home loans. The system makes looking for a good Denver mortgage lender that much easier. Plus, the added security of a good consumer advocate can be a big boost in finding reliable Denver mortgage lenders.