I get asked this by other realtors all the time.  

Why in the world do you DO short sales?

We see the abbreviations everywhere and here are a few common ones and what they mean:

While the typical short sale is not smooth by any means, there are things that sellers can do to keep the surprises and frustrations to a minimum.

The California Association of Realtors just released some information on sellers' motivations and their top concerns they have about selling.

If you've ever sold a home, or if you're considering selling your's, do you agree or disagree?

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Selling your home can be a breeze with the right frame of mind and the right real estate agent to do the job.   Knowing what to expect and having realistic expectations will ensure a smooth sale and keep all parties happy and in sync. 

At the Asato Group, we pride ourselves on expert communication, one of the fundamentals of a successful home sale.  From start to finish (and everything in between) we will keep you informed and answer all questions as they arise.  One of the most important parts of choosing your agent should be how well they communicate and keep you up to date during the entire home sale process.  At the Asato Group, we pride ourselves on our accessibility and our open lines of communication. 

Do you have any questions on the 7 steps outlined above?  Contact us and we'll be happy to discuss your questions or concerns.

You've seen the acronym, and are probably well aware of what your FICO score is, but I thought I'd share some information on FICO directly from the source. 

Similar to the way Federal Express eventually became FedEx, the company that develops FICO scores used to be called Fair Isaac Co. It was shortened to FICO and that's it's official name now. 

Your FICO score is used by lenders to determine the risk involved with lending you money.  Whether its buying a house, car or any item with credit, your FICO score will determine how much money the lender is willing to lend, and at what terms (interest rate). 

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For information on what makes up your FICO score and what you can do to bring those scores up, click on the link below.
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I'm asked this question all the time.  Is a short sale really better for a homeowner than a foreclosure?

The obvious issues (impact on credit, ability to get a future mortgage, security clearances, eviction) are explained in the link below:

Aside from the obvious issues that foreclosure brings, I think the stress and heartache are the hardest to deal with.  

My clients always tell me how relieved they are once they make a decision to move forward and take control of their situation.  A short sale allows the sellers to move forward and get on with their lives, and this is what I think is the most important benefit of all.  Making a decision and setting a course with intention is liberating. After months (sometimes even years) of being hounded and bombarded with constant reminders of missed payments and large sums of money owed, the thought of being able to start over with a clean slate almost always brings a sense of peace and hopefulness.

While this is by no means a solution to all of your financial problems, it can certainly be a step in the right direction.

​Are you ready for a fresh start?  Call us when you are.

So you're in a loan modification, and you've been waiting for an answer from your bank.

Here are some questions that may help you to get a better understanding of where you REALLY stand in the process:

• • Is there a foreclosure sale date on my home?
  • (If Yes) Foreclosure date should be postponed during loan modification review
  • Am I in an active loan modification? 
  • (If Yes) What date did I go into review
  • Do you have everything you need to make a decision on my application?
  • (If No) What information do you need from me to get my application under review?
  • What income are you using to calculate my modification?
  • What expenses are you using to calculate my modification?
  • When do you think a decision will be made? (Should be less than 30 days from the date the loan modification went into review)
  • When and how do you recommend I get an update?
  • Are you the best person to call for an update
  • (If No) Could I please have the direct contact of the person I should be contacting.  What are their work hours, and what is the best means of communication (phone or email)?

The decision to sell your home is determined by many factors. A big consideration is the amount that you will net after the sale.  How much will really be in your pocket once all the costs and fees of selling are computed?

This is where the net sheet comes in.  The net sheet will give an estimate of how much you will walk away with after the sale of your home.  

While fees will obviously vary, this ball park figure will help you to see the big picture.  

Getting a good, firm estimate of your home's market value is key.  Select the "Home Valuation Report" tab (above) for the free comparative market analysis.  We will pull the comparable properties in your area and give you an estimate for your home's value.

Once you have the value, or if you already have a good idea of what the value is, select the net sheet option below.  

Please let us know if you have any questions, we're here to help!
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