About Me

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Park Ridge, Illinois, United States
Gerard Scheffler has been very actively involved in the real estate profession for over seven years. In 2005, immediately after receiving his Broker’s License, he established his first Chicago based brokerage company. The company turned out to be very successful with hundreds of satisfied customers and millions of dollars in closed real estate transactions. Over the years, Gerard has developed a network of returning customers who always refer his services to their family and friends. He is presently a managing broker at Home Gallery Realty brokerage firm specializing in default and distressed property sales. Regardless of his professional development and success, Gerard is constantly looking for ways to improve his skills as well as build his company image and reputation. He is very hardworking and aggressive when it comes to representing his customers ‘ real estate needs and doing his job right. He will work with you to ensure that your property is sold for the highest price possible in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience to you. Area of service includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Mchenry County in the State of Illinois.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Untitled

Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

Thursday, July 15, 2010

9 Facts You Should Know About Today's Illinois Real Estate Market

Download now or preview on posterous
Facts2010.pdf (615 KB)

Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

U.S. service members may qualify for the tax credit through April 30, 2011

Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

Thursday, July 1, 2010

NAR CHIEF ECONOMIST LAWRENCE YUN ABOUT HOME SALE -JULY 1


Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

Real Estate Today Radio

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)-HAFA Provisions

In 2009, the Treasury Department introduced the HAFA program to provide a viable option for homeowners who are unable to keep their homes through the existing Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The HAFA program takes effect on April 5, 2010-although some servicers may implement it sooner, if they meet certain requirement--and sunsets on December 31, 2012.
HAFA provides incentives in connection with a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program. Servicers participating in HAMP are also required to comply with HAFA

HAFA Provisions

a.. *Complements HAMP by providing a viable alternative for borrowers (the current homeowners) who are HAMP eligible but nevertheless unable to keep their home.
b.. *Uses borrower financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification.
c.. *Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds).
d.. *Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt (no cash contribution, promissory note, or deficiency judgment is allowed).
e.. *Uses standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines.
f.. *Provides the following financial incentives:
a.. *$3,000 for borrower relocation assistance;
b.. *$1,500 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs;
c.. *Up to $2,000 for investors who allow a total of up to $6,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders, on a one-for-three matching basis.
g.. *Requires all servicers participating in HAMP to implement HAFA in accordance with their own written policy, consistent with investor guidelines. The policy may include factors such as the severity of the potential loss, local markets, timing of pending foreclosure actions, and borrower motivation and cooperation
h..
Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

What is a short sale?

What is a short sale?

A short sale is a transaction in which the lender, or lenders, agree to accept less than the mortgage amount owed by the current homeowner. In some cases, the difference is forgiven by the lender, and in others the homeowner must make arrangements with the lender to settle the remainder of the debt.

Why is the number of short sales rising?

Due to the recent economic crisis, including rising unemployment, and drops in home prices in communities across the nation, the number of short sales is increasing. Since a short sale generally costs the lender less than a foreclosure, it can be a viable way for a lender to minimize its losses.

A short sale can also be the best option for a homeowners who are "upside down" on mortgages because a short sale may not hurt their credit history as much as a foreclosure. As a result, homeowners may qualify for another mortgage sooner once they get back on their feet financially.

Gerard Scheffler, GRI ,ADPR
Real Estate Broker -Home Gallery ,Inc
Senior Mortgage Consultant-Forum Mortgage Bancorp
www.scheffler.posterous.com
www.scheffler.listingbook.com
www.forummtg.com
cell 773 909-3346

"It takes hands to build a house .Only hearts can build a home"
The greatest compliment I can receive is a referral....your family, friends or anyone you know!

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

Flood Insurance Program Extension

Also on June 30, the Senate passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569), extending it until September 30, 2010. This retroactive bill will allow transactions to move forward and covers the lapse period from June 1, 2010 to the date of enactment of the extension.

"This is great news for home buyers and sellers who live in flood-prone areas and the REALTORS® who work with them," said C.A.R. Past-President Mike Golden, co-founder of @properties. "Especially in the suburbs, where there tend to be more floodplains, this extends critical insurance coverage opportunities to people who might otherwise not be able to obtain it. I applaud this legislation."

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News

Homebuyer Tax Credit Closing Extension

Homebuyers and REALTORS® in Chicago and nationwide can finally exhale: on June 30 Congress passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet closed. The new closing deadline for eligible transactions is September 30, 2010. There will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.

"The Homebuyer Tax Credit has had an extremely positive affect on the housing industry and the economy, and been a boon to thousands of American families who used it to achieve the dream of homeownership," said C.A.R. President Genie Birch, ABR, GRI, CIPS, Broker Associate with Koenig & Strey Real Living. "Without this extension, the tax credit's full benefits would not have been realized. We are grateful to the Congressional leaders who helped enact this legislation."

NAR worked closely with Congress on both sides of the aisle to achieve the extension, which will provide additional stability to real estate markets in Chicago and across the nation

Posted via email from Gerard Scheffler's News