A short sale is when a homeowner sells their property for less than the amount owed on the mortgage, typically with the lender’s approval, avoiding foreclosure. This might happen when the homeowner can no longer keep up with mortgage payments or needs to move quickly but can’t sell for what is owed. Here are the positives and negatives of a short sale.

Positives:

Avoids foreclosure. A short sale can help the homeowner avoid the more damaging financial and emotional impact of foreclosure.

Reducing credit impact. While a short sale does affect your credit score, it is generally less damaging than a foreclosure, making it easier to rebuild financially.

Debt forgiveness. In some cases, lenders may forgive the remaining balance on the mortgage, relieving the homeowner of future debt obligations.

Potential buyer benefits. Buyers might be given assistance by their servicer to find somewhere new to live, which can be extremely helpful if you’re in a bind.

Negatives:

There’s still a credit impact. Although less severe than foreclosure, a short sale can still significantly affect your credit score, often reducing it by 100-150 points.

Lender approval. The process can be slow, as it requires the lender’s approval, and there’s no guarantee they will accept the sale price.

Possible tax implications. In some cases, the forgiven mortgage balance may be considered taxable income, leading to unexpected tax bills.

If a short sale is something you’ve been considering, call or email me today and we can discuss your options, weighing the positives and negatives.

John Kralik is a man who understands the power of gratitude. As a broke attorney living in a musty apartment in Los Angeles, he found himself overweight, struggling with a divorce and unable to pay his employees after a string of clients not paying bills.

Close to rock bottom, John took a New Year’s Day hike in the hills of L.A. During the walk, he decided he’d find something to be grateful for every single day, regardless of what life threw at him. From there, he set about writing a thank-you note each day for the next 365 days, finding that, amazingly, there were constantly things right in front of him that he felt thankful for, things he never would have previously noticed.

The seemingly simple daily act served to completely transform his life, with his daily gratitude practice leading to a positive and successful outlook he could never have imagined back in those days in the apartment. John has now published a book, A Simple Act of Gratitude, detailing the journey his ritual has taken him on. He’s since given and received thousands of thank-you notes, finding that the universe reciprocates positivity when you put it out there.

John’s mantra is that when a machine fulfills a task for you, there’s an atmosphere of expectation. When a human does so, a thank-you note shows them that they are genuinely appreciated and important to you. This small act sets both of you apart, bringing peace and meaning to all.

Preheat oven to 425℉. Line baking sheet with foil and grease. Pierce sweet potatoes with fork, place on baking sheet, bake for 45 minutes or until very tender. Once ready, take out of oven and let them cool. Peel and discard skin. Grease a 9-inch pie pan, add pie crust, set aside. Place sweet potato in mixing bowl and mash.

Add butter and eggs, then mix. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt, then mix. Add evaporated milk and vanilla and mix until fully combined. Pour filling into the pie crust and bake at 350℉ for 50–60 minutes or until the top is nicely browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream. Serve.

Whether it’s for guests, a house viewing or anything else, when you're short on time and need to get your home looking presentable quickly, it’s all about prioritizing and simplifying. Here’s how to clean your home efficiently when you're in a rush.

Start with the bathroom. The bathroom is often the most frequently used room by guests and the most off-putting when dirty, so it’s a top priority. Wipe down the sink, faucet and countertops first, followed by a quick scrub of the toilet. Replace the hand towel with a fresh one and empty the trash if needed. If you’re really short on time, use disinfectant wipes for speed.

Prioritize high-traffic areas. Next, focus on the other rooms people will actually see. This usually includes the living room, kitchen and entryway. If you know they won’t be used or viewed, close the doors to any rooms you don't have time to tackle, like bedrooms or home offices.

Clear the floors. A cluttered floor makes any room feel messy. Grab a basket and collect any things out of place so they can be temporarily stored out of the way, whether that’s shoes, toys or bags. You can deal with sorting it later.

Declutter surfaces. Quickly clear off countertops, coffee tables and other flat surfaces. Stack stray papers neatly, and toss any items that belong in other rooms into your basket. A clean surface instantly makes the room look more polished.

Delegate tasks. If you have any others at home, divide and conquer. Assign each person a task: one person can vacuum and another can take care of dishes while someone else handles tidying.

Add a finishing touch. Lastly, light a candle or spray a fresh scent to give your home an inviting feel. It only takes a minute and creates a more welcoming atmosphere.

For other ways to make your home look fresh and inviting to potential buyers, contact me today and I’ll gladly offer my advice.

This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time to come together with the ones we love and be grateful for those around us. Being thankful and expressing gratitude not only brings a wealth of emotional and interpersonal benefits, but there are also a surprising number of physical benefits too. Here are four reasons to practice gratitude and how to do it.

Being grateful is proven to reduce depression.

Try writing a daily gratitude journal, listing three things you’re grateful for each day. Even if you’re going through a hard time, doing this will help you appreciate the good things around you that you may not have even noticed, reducing your stress levels.

Being grateful improves sleep.

Going to bed on a happy thought helps you to throw away nighttime anxiety and sleep more peacefully. Think of someone who’s affected your life for the better and go and say thank you to them. Thinking of their positive impact on you as you hit the pillow will send you off to sleep soundly.

Being grateful improves digestion.

Amazingly, studies have shown that there is a link between our attitudes towards our body and its ability to digest properly. So taking a moment to say to yourself, “I am thankful for my body and what it does for me” can help to actually improve your digestive system’s functions!

Being grateful improves your senses.

Showing thanks for the things around you can actually help you have a heightened appreciation of things like scents, sounds and sights. Taking a minute’s break every now and then to simply be grateful for the things in front of you can help improve your senses to no end.