Distressed Property Institute Co-founder and CEO, Alex Charfen explains the CDPE and how CDPE-designated agents are helping homeowners nationwide.

Here, I share some exciting news from Washington D.C. The Treasury Department released that it will soon issue the details to its short sales and deeds-in-lieu program. Washington now recognizes that short sales will have a positive impact on our national economy and the foreclosure crisis. These agencies have been forced to take notice of the undeniable impact of the CDPE Movement.

Here I present my opinions about the recently released numbers in the National Delinquency Survey, produced by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Learn how delinquencies have increased, their future trends and potential, and what this means for the ongoing U.S. foreclosure crisis.

On the strength and integrity of its foreclosure avoidance education, with a concentration on short sales, the CDPE membership organization has grown to more than 10,000 members nationwide. Here I explain what reaching this milestone means to me, our organization, our members, and the nationwide movement for change in the U.S.

Distressed Property Institute CEO Alex Charfen addresses the issue of NAR endorsement, and the Institute's strategic marketing relationship with the organization.

Alex elaborates on the situation of today’s housing market and how he feels homeowners and agents should view the headlines and realities.

There has been some recent controversy regarding my previous blog postings on Short Sale Flips, leading some to believe that I am "anti-investor" when it comes to short sales. Nothing could be further from the truth!! Allow me to explain ...

In this blog entry, hear my perspective on Arm's Length Transactions. There are misconceptions about this approach, and I explain why it could be vital for homeowners and real estate agents to err on the side of caution.

To qualify for a short sale, distressed homeowners must have three qualifications: financial hardship, monthly shortfall, and insolvency. Here I explain these concepts in detail, letting you in on what most banks and servicers are looking for when considering a short sale. Following are the three documents I mention in this blog, which you can download in PDF format:

• 3-Qualifications-Short-Sale.pdf

The practice of flipping short sales is at best unethical, and at worst illegal. Learn the facts, and understand why as a real estate agent, your first responsibility should be to the homeowner. Don't jeopordize your license and integrity over the potential for a quick buck.

If you're a homeowner, don't get taken advantage of by mortgage-modification scams. Here I explain mortgage modifications as an option for distressed homeowners, and what to expect when entering the process.

The Distressed Property Institute conducted its National CDPE Member Survey for the second quarter of 2009, compiling some staggering results. See how CDPEs nationwide are better prepared to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure by keeping their homes or, when this is not possible, by successfully executing a short sale.

Distressed Property Institute Co-founder and CEO Alex Charfen shares his personal thoughts and opinions on current issues in the real estate market with a particular focus on distressed properties, including foreclosure avoidance, short sales, refinancings, mortgage modifications, and updates to industry regulations.