According to RealtyTrac, there are more than 56,000 homes currently in the process of foreclosure in Palm Beach and Broward counties. That is a 55 percent increase from this time last year. As a result, there has been a shortage of homes for sale, which has been frustrating for prospective buyers. Homes that are lingering in the foreclosure process are also known as ‘shadow inventory.’ There is currently such a great amount of shadow inventory that it suggests that buyers will eventually have a greater supply once the courts begin streamlining the foreclosure process. Another reason there has been a shortage of homes is because lenders have been holding back inventory that is available to sell in order to encourage a recovery and avoid a loss on the property.
Many individual buyers are being outmuscled by large investment firms in South Florida that are buying up millions of dollars of distressed real estate. In many cases, these large firms are buying up properties before they make it to multiple listing services, leaving individual buyers little chance at all. Investment firms bought more than 5,200 properties during 2012 and are reportedly still on the market for good deals. Therefore, when the ‘shadow inventory’ homes do make it to the market, it is not likely they will hurt home prices because there are so many individual buyers and investment firms that are looking to buy right now.
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the website, Kingcade & Garcia, P.A.