A sign of the times

Many homeowners today are wondering how they'll get through this tumultuous season as the massive correction in the market continues to calibrate itself. Real Estate seems to be spiraling out of control and home owners are just trying to hang on for what might be the roughest roller coaster ride in years.

As a Real Estate appraiser I have seen home values rise way beyond normal benchmarks throughout several markets in the US and am also seeing the market correct itself from the abnormally high increasing values over the past 4-to-5 years.

These cycles of increasing and decreasing values are as "natural" in real estate as are the waves in the ocean. There is no need to yell "the sky is falling" because this sort of thing happens all the time. However, the abnormal increase in values over the past years simply means that the decrease in values or "market correction" we are already experiencing will also be quite dramatic.

I am opening up this blog to help those facing possible foreclosure and financial hardship as a result of taking out some interest only loans or adjustable rate mortgages on their homes within the past few years.

Some of these people have been locked into a mortgage product that they simply did not fully understand. Whatever the reason for their getting into an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) they still have options such as "Freezing their rate" so that their ARM payments don't continue to fluctuate and reek havoc on finances.

My hope is to give guidance and answers to those seeking advice and a way out of their situation. As a licensed Real Estate Appraiser I am positioned to see how lenders are handling foreclosures and how they are dealing with borrowers during this volatile market calibration. I've been in Real Estate from various angles for a number of years and have gained some insights that I would like to share on this blog.

I'm not interested in buying your home because I'm not an investor! As a licensed Realtor for the past ten years I am well acquainted with the real estate market however, I'm not interested in listing your home either! Finally, I am not a mortgage broker so, I'm not looking to "refinance" your mortgage! However, I would like to help people keep their homes if possible and equip them to make more informed choices so they aren't taken advantage of in the future.

So, with that said, I look forward to answering some questions, offering some advice and various options to those seeking relief.

There is still hope.....

In Christ,

Juan F. Ledon