Distressed Property Certification Boosts Charlotte Market Sales

LAKE NORMAN, N.C., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- RE/MAX at the Lake has experienced remarkable sales results in 2009 due in part to its agents earning the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales.  Distressed Property Sales, a.k.a. "Short Sales," occur when the lender accepts the selling price of the home, even if that is less than the mortgage balance. Nationally, only 12 percent of short sales are approved. However, among CDPE designated real estate agents, more than 80 percent of short sales are approved. RE/MAX at the Lake has close to a 90 percent short sale approval ratio. There are more real estate agents from RE/MAX with the CDPE designation than from any other real estate company and RE/MAX at the Lake has a higher percentage of CDPE designated agents than any other Lake Norman real estate firm.

With declining property values, Short Sales can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today's market, specifically short sales. "The best course of action for a homeowner in distress is to speak with one of our certified agents," said Laura Chilcoat, co-owner of RE/MAX at the Lake. "We have the tools needed to assist homeowners in finding the best solution for their situation. Because of our CDPE certification we can often help homeowners avoid foreclosure with a short sale when all other options have been exhausted. We really believe the CDPE designation gives us critical knowledge to serve our clients effectively in the new real estate market."

Nationwide, Certified Distressed Property Experts have reported a 49 percent decrease in the average time to complete a short sale after achieving the CDPE designation, according to a new survey from the Distressed Property Institute. Before becoming a CDPE, the average time for these agents to close a short sale was 53 days, compared to 27 days after becoming a CDPE. "The CDPE designation is one of the most important and timely educational products I have seen in over 40 years in the real estate business," said RE/MAX Chairman and Co-founder Dave Liniger. "I will do whatever it takes to get as many agents as possible through this course so they can help homeowners, the economy and our country."

RE/MAX at the Lake is celebrating its fifth year in business and is one of the top 25 firms in the Greater Charlotte area, with a concentration in Lake Norman and Mooresville homes. Their agents have the highest per agent productivity in the Mooresville/Lake Norman market. RE/MAX at the Lake has achieved this distinction by focusing on continuing agent education, extensive collaboration among their agents, and continually adapting to the changing real estate landscape to serve both their clients and the public effectively.

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SOURCE RE/MAX at the Lake