Short sales gaining market share - Henderson mortgage borrowers have extra options

Mortgage foreclosure statistics of late are showing that the persistently increasing trend seems to be waning, which is good news indeed. However, it is only part of the whole real estate picture. The economy remains weak and the stubbornly high unemployment level continues to worry many housing observers, suggesting that homeowners would still be vulnerable. So, how is it that home loan foreclosures are losing steam?

The answer to that attention-grabbing question appears to be that mortgage banks are changing strategy to favor short sales over mortgage foreclosures. Campbell/ Inside Mortgage Finance survey just concluded supports that theory. It says that in January nationwide short sales added up to 15.9% of all home purchases while move-in-condition REOs - or real estate owned - clocked in at 13.8% and wrecked REOs held a 13.4% share of the housing market. As recently as in November of 2009 these same categories rode along neck and neck at around 12%. Clearly there is a shift.

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