There’s no good way to spin the news about the eventual end of the national eviction moratoriums in the U.S. With one in every three households unable to make a full mortgage payment, it’s entirely possible that we will be seeing a surge of foreclosures and evictions threatening homeowners across the country by the start of the new year.
The phrase you hear again and again from leading news sources is “housing insecurity,” but what that means for homeowners who are struggling to keep their heads above water financially is foreclosure and possibly even eviction. Foreclosure has the potential to affect any homeowner in any city and in homes of any size. It could affect you, your family, your credit, and your ability to buy another home in the future. However, with the help of a national house buyer such as HouseMax, you can sell your house fast in Kansas City, avoid foreclosure, and spare your credit – all while still getting top dollar for your home!
What happens when you’re facing foreclosure and eviction?
You’ve probably heard other homeowners say that they “don’t really own,” they’re just “renting from the bank.” In a way, that’s true. When you don’t make your full, on-time mortgage payments several months in a row, the lender is legally entitled to take possession of your property. How long you have to move out once that happens varies depending on state law, but it can be as little as 24 hours. Unfortunately, in the event of a foreclosure, a lender taking possession of your house is just the beginning of your troubles. A foreclosure entry will appear on your credit report, where it stays for seven years from the date of the first missed payment that began the foreclosure process, with no way to scrub it clean until that time. That can make it extremely difficult for you to buy another house down the road.
What can homeowners do if they need to sell their homes during these uncertain times?
The good news is that you do have options, but not all options are created equal. Each option has benefits and drawbacks. If you think you may be facing foreclosure and eviction, your best plan is to avoid it as quickly as you can in order to save your credit. You can always buy another house later, and this will allow you to move your family in a way that is more convenient and less traumatic than having an eviction noticed posted on your door by the sheriff.
Here’s What You Can Do:
You Can Contract with a Licensed Real Estate Agent – This is the “classic” way of trying to sell your home. Under more ideal circumstances, an agent can provide a lot of added value. He or she can help you come up with a price that not only reflects the value of your home but will also help it sell quickly. However, these agents charge a commission in the form of a percentage of the selling price. What’s more, you’ll need money to cover various closing costs. Even then, it can take up to six months – sometimes even longer – to actually get an offer, let alone close the deal.
You Can Sell It Yourself – The DIY approach of going “for sale by owner” or FSBO lets you avoid paying a commission to a real estate agent and, thanks to websites like Zillow, Fizber, and Craigslist, you can still get good market exposure for your home. The problem is, selling your home can be a painstakingly detailed business that takes time, planning, and patience. When you’re potentially faced with foreclosure, those are all things that may be in short supply. Plus, statistics show that FSBO homes typically sell for less than those listed with the help of an agent and, even once you’ve received and accepted an offer, it takes around 45 days to close the sale.
You Can Sell Your Home to an Investor (Like HouseMax) – With a private sale to an investor such as HouseMax, you get all the benefits of FSBO along with assistance from a national house-buying professional with real estate industry experience. But that’s just part of it. What’s even more important, especially in these uncertain times, is that you’ll get a much faster sale than you would when hiring a real estate agent or trying to sell your home yourself on the market. Selling to an investor like HouseMax makes it easy for at-risk homeowners to get out from underneath their homes before foreclosure, before eviction, before their credit is impacted, and before they find themselves wondering what to do and where to go next.
The HouseMax process is simple, straightforward, and transparent every step of the way.
Step 1. One of our professional home-buying consultants will give you a FREE, no-obligation consultation that’s quick, easy, and takes place right at your home.
Step 2. The consultant will view your property at a time that’s convenient for you. The process takes about 15 minutes, and the consultant will answer any questions you have. If you prefer, a virtual appointment can be set up just as easily.
Special Note: Don’t worry if your home isn’t in perfect shape; HouseMax buys houses in any condition. We will never ask you to make repairs or updates to your home.
Step 3. You receive a generous, top-dollar offer. We go over our offer with you and show how we arrived at our offer price so that you feel comfortable knowing that you’re getting the best value for your home.
Step 4. HouseMax sets up the closing date with a licensed title agency, escrow company, or closing attorney.
Special Note: There are no fees or commissions associated with selling your property to HouseMax. In fact, we actually pay all the real estate closing costs!
Step 5. You get paid. What’s more, you get paid in as little as seven days. You’re out from under your home. You’ve avoided foreclosure. Your credit is saved. You can take the cash in hand and get on with your life, free from eviction notices and unwanted phone calls from mortgage companies, lenders, and collection agencies.
If you’re a homeowner facing foreclosure – or if you need to sell your home quickly for any other reason in Kansas City, Indianapolis, St. Louis, MO, or Tulsa, OK, HouseMax is here to help. HouseMax is a national house buyer and real estate investment firm that specializes in helping homeowners get rid of burdensome houses fast. We aren’t real estate agents who are trying to find buyers for your home—we are the buyers! If you need to sell your home fast, contact HouseMax at any of our locations today!