OC Short Sale 411

OC Short Sale 411
By Shelley T. Hudson

The real estate roller coaster has taken Orange County on a wild ride – leaving many upside down, searching for a way to get back on track. Distressed homeowners unable to make mortgage payments or facing the loss of their homes are in desperate need of experienced professionals equipped with the knowledge and industry connections to ease them through an often emotionally and financially draining process.

In late 2007, Robyn Webb was studying local and national economic markers when she noticed some alarming trends. Having owned and operated a real estate business for several years, she began researching foreclosure laws in preparation for what she believed to be an impending market decline. Her husband and business partner, Matt Webb, supported her efforts to launch OC Short Sale 411. Robyn utilized her MBA and her corporate background to begin establishing high-level executive relationships with the largest banks in the mortgage industry: Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase.

The mission of OC Short Sale 411 was simple; for those wanting to avoid foreclosure, the company provided homeowners a graceful and proactive exit from an oppressive mortgage, with the quickest financial recovery possible. “The first couple of years were rough,” Robyn explains, “The banks didn’t have established processes, employee turnover was high and the volume of short sale requests was unmanageable.” Having been one of the first to tread through the complicated and arduous process of obtaining a short sale approval, Robyn collaborated with banks to streamline and improve transactions.

Robyn and Matt describe their clients as “regular people who suffer from frugal fatigue.” OC Short Sale 411 primarily services homeowners who are 10% or more “underwater.” “Our clients are not enjoying their lives and have become slaves to mortgages. They are using retirement savings to pay bills and can’t even afford to go out to dinner.” Robyn and Matt are seeing a shift in the attitudes of Orange County homeowners. “People are tired of keeping up the appearance that everything is okay. We have been amazed at how many homeowners come to us embarrassed and afraid to miss mortgage payments, but after the process is complete, are ready to shout from the mountaintops how much better their lives are.” Robyn adds, “Giving people their lives back, and the appreciation that our clients share with us, has been the most rewarding accomplishment in my career.”

Robyn has successfully negotiated over 100 short sales and has obtained an approval on every short sale attempted. Webb attributes her impressive record to carefully screening her clients, cultivating relationships with banks and not “passing clients off” to an attorney or third party negotiator. Robyn was recognized in OC Metro’s 2011 “40 Under 40,” top, young professionals in Orange County. She has also recently been selected as an Instructor for the Distressed Property Institute, home of the prestigious CDPE (Certified Distress Property Expert) designation. She is now one of only 13 instructors nationwide, and the only one in Southern California, teaching real estate agents how to properly and ethically complete short sales.

In 2011, California anti-deficiency laws (580e and SB 458) passed, making California a very “short sale-friendly” state. Between the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and the anti-deficiency laws, a vast majority of California homeowners can short sell their homes with no deficiencies and no tax consequences.

The emergence of this new “distress homeowner” industry has created a boom for attorneys, loan modification companies and real estate agents. Unfortunately, not all of these professionals have the experience, expertise and industry connections necessary to achieve the most favorable outcomes. The result has been a lot of conflicting information for homeowners, which has left many feeling confused and frustrated.

Eager to give homeowners a place to get accurate and unbiased information, the Webbs launched the non-profit organization, Under Water Home 411, last Fall. The mission of the organization is to reduce foreclosures through homeowner education about foreclosure alternatives. Under Water Home 411 hosts complimentary seminars every other month featuring an impressive speaker panel of industry experts from the credit, bankruptcy, short sale and loan modification fields. Recent attendee Deanne M. of San Clemente shared, “I liked that I could trust what I was being told. It was obvious all the presenters were extremely knowledgeable in their area.”

While Robyn is proud of her professional recognition, she is most enthusiastic about offering effective resources for homeowners in need. “We’re helping people enjoy their lives again,” she says, “and that’s the highest priority.”

“We didn’t even fully realize what a burden that home was in our lives until we were granted freedom from the oppressive debt it represented. We were slaves to it. To say our lives are improved is an understatement. You’ve given us a clean slate. What a gift”
— Kurt & Jennifer Witt

OC Short Sale 411
855.696.2411 • OCshortsale411.com