Sensing the overwhelming need to lend assistance to homeowners in his New Albany real estate market, Tony Thomas recently completed certification in Los Angeles, California as a Distressed Property Expert. Thomas views his CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) designation and his commitment to help financially distressed New Albany homeowners, as both a responsibility and an obligation to his profession. His focus with New Albany homeowners facing foreclosure is to give them the hope of a dignified solution to their financial crisis through current lender loan modification, loan refinancing (short or long-term) or a short sale (a lender-approved sale at less than the outstanding loan balance).

“Consumers need and deserve more options over foreclosure. Homeowners should view foreclosure as the final recourse after every option has been fully explored. Foreclosure should never be viewed as the first choice,” said Thomas. “Fear and unknowns grip many Ohioans. Homeowners need to know that there are very positive steps they can take to avoid foreclosure,” offered Thomas.

“To illustrate our commit to helping our fellow New Albany neighbors, we have added many new resources to our New Albany, Ohio web site that helps shed light on the terms associated with foreclosure as well as the options available to New Albany homeowners to avoid foreclosure. These new resources include articles written in a very easy to understand fashion on topics like; what is a foreclosure, what is a short sale, a glossary of short sale terms, what is a loan modification along with links to additional local resources. Other timely tools for consumers include a sample Financial Hardship Letter to be used in conjunction with a short sale, a Homeowner's Foreclosure Document Checklist and a Homeowner’s Property Checklist. By offering these resources New Albany homeowners now have a centralized portal for all things pertaining to and about short sales, and the foreclosure process,” stated Thomas.

Over 85% of the clients served by CDPE real estate professionals avoid foreclosure. Alex Charfen founder of the Distressed Property Institute believes that homeowners surrounded by a strong CDPE real estate agent team including legal and financial referrals have the greatest chance of avoiding foreclosure and at minimal financial investment to the homeowner.

Thomas’ commitment to help save homeowners in New Albany from Foreclosure occurred after participating in numerous short sales and bank owned transactions in his market. Witnessing the helplessness, utter sense of aloneness and guilt felt by homeowners facing foreclosure compelled Thomas to act as a homeowner advocate lending a helping hand of expertise and compassion. With his ten years of real estate experience, his commitment to education, strong marketing, systems development and checklists, combined with his knowledge of the pre-foreclosure process, have given his clients an advantage in this current foreclosure epidemic.

“Fear and not having a clear understanding of the elements and consequences of foreclosure lead many homeowners to just give up,” said Thomas. “And believe me there is a huge difference in life after foreclosure as opposed to life without foreclosure. While we strive to save every New Albany home from foreclosure, we realize we are not able to save every house. We remain committed to offer the saving hand to every financially distressed New Albany homeowner.”

Kate and Tony Thomas are Real Estate Brokers and Agents for the New Albany Ohio Areas. Contact Tony Thomas at (614) 939-1234