Aaron Hofmann of Keller Williams Realty Cityside has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Smyrna Vinings area, many homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune. Currently there are over 200 homes, condos & townhomes that are currently marketed as distressed properties (short sales or foreclosures) and there were 206 Smyrna Vinings properties that were scheduled to be auctioned off on May 5, 2009 on the courthouse steps.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Hofmann. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

“To help educate the consumers, our team has developed an informational site called ShortSalesCentral.com. The site provides a lot of valuable information for both distressed homeowners as well as buyers looking to purchase a home,” according to Mr. Hofmann.

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Aaron Hofmann with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

If you are behind in your mortgage payments or contemplating not making your payments, contact Aaron Hofmann and his team to understand your options and identify the solutions that are best for your situation.

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