Foreclosure sales were mixed this month, with declines in Arizona, California and Nevada, while Oregon and Washington both showed increases. Despite the declines, the percentage purchased by third parties, typically investors, was at or near peak levels. In California, third parties made up a record 27.4 percent of all sales last month. In Arizona, that number was even higher at 38.3 percent, also a record. Nevada was just shy of their record, set in August at 29.1 percent. Sales to third parties was up Washington was up 15.6 percent, a record for this year. Oregon was the only state to to show a decrease, down from 15.5 percent in July to 6.0 percent today.

“While foreclosure activity returned to its normal course in September, we fully expect to see more volatility like we saw in August as banks continue to work through robo-signing and other issues”, stated Sean O’Toole, Founder and CEO of ForeclosureRadar. “We continue to believe that foreclosure activity is driven by political whim and financial institution solvency than by what’s best for housing markets and the economy.”

Discovery Bay, CA, November 12, 2009 – ForeclosureRadar (www.foreclosureradar.com), the only website that tracks every California foreclosure and provides daily auction updates, issued its monthly California Foreclosure Report for October 2009. After 3 months of consecutive declines the number of foreclosure sales taken back by banks rose by 22.24 percent from September and 20.95 percent from October 2008. Despite these dramatic increases, the number of foreclosures taken back by banks remains 42.56 percent below the peak reached in July 2008, from which time the inventory of scheduled foreclosures has grown by 131.36 percent.

See Foreclosure Radar on the Blogroll to the right for Foreclosure searches.

Realizing the importance of technology training, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) created a comprehensive Technology Certification course in 2000. And now that course, e-PRO®, has been completely updated to include information on Social Media and Web 2.0 aspects that is, and will continue, to change the real estate business.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past five years,” Len Sher said. “Today, more than 85% of all buyers and sellers begin their search online. As an e-PRO® certified agent, I have knowledge and tools needed to provide my clients with the information they need and the customer service they demand. It’s both hi-tech and hi-touch.”

The all new e-PRO® certification course — the only technology certification program offered by NAR — is designed to prepare real estate professionals to make the most of Internet technology and to identify, evaluate, and implement new Internet business models. The elite group of course graduates represents only four percent of all REALTORS® in the country including Len Sher of Tarbell, Realtors.

The e-PRO® certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

The exclusive e-PRO® certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. The course is designed to help REALTORS® stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO® certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO® through the exclusive e-PRO® Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by the San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. Graduates use the skills they’ve acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information,visit http://www.lensher.com or e-mail Len Sher at LenSher@LenSher.com

For homes in the lower price points of the market, banks are listing properties below market value to entice multiple offers. And the multiple offers are coming in above the listing prices in many cases. Buyers and sellers really need to research and know their values and projected values to effectively buy and sell in this market.

This is not a smoothly operating market and it is one that requires expert guidance from well qualified Realtors.

Inventory is still likely to increase though with the continuing onslaught of foreclosures and notices of default. It is still a great time to buy.

 1st Time Homebuyer: If we are looking to purchase our home for the first time then there could hardly be a better time than now. Prices are lower and homes more affordable than they have been for years. Mortgage rates are at decades long historical lows and could stay low for some time. The only problem is that we are in a recession. And we don’t know for how long. So, fear of losing our job could paralyze some from acting. Even if the mortgage payments (and taxes and insurance) are lower than the rent we are committed to paying, some people won’t act. Well, maybe they will act when prices are on the rise and homes are just a little bit less affordable. That is their choice.

Homeowner looking to upgrade: Even though this may not be the best time to sell for many. It could be a good time to sell for someone wanting to buy a larger or more expensive home. For the same reasons as above, this could be a good strategy for some. If you have enough equity in the property you are selling then prices and financing could hardly be more attractive. This is especially true for the person with a long term view.

There are so many variables and situations that it is hard to speak broadly about how people should proceed. I think it makes sense to gather information and speak to people who are knowledgeable about the market and conditions. I hope to be of service to some in that very role