Anthony Acosta Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Hoeowners in Dager of Foreclosure

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE                               

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Acosta, CDPE      

Harry Norman, Realtors

(404) 797-9907

 October 5, 2011

ANTHONY ACOSTA EARNS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION TO HELP HOMEOWNERS IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE

Anthony Acosta of Harry Norman, Realtors in Atlanta, GA has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Atlanta area, more than 1 in 10 homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Acosta. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Anthony Acosta with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

For more information about CDPE designation or to find a certified distressed Realtor in your area, please call 1-800-482-0335.

Anthony Acosta

(404)797-9907

anthonyacostajr@aol.com

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Luxury Real Estate Atlanta GA – Anthony Acosta

Atlanta Real Estate Anthony Acosta

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

ajchomefinder

Colin Steuterman rented an apartment in Alpharetta after graduating from Kennesaw State University in 2009, but he wanted to buy his own place sooner rather than later. He searched for several months for homes close to his IT job, off Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. Steuterman, 23, chatted about his home in Cumming, about 10 minutes from work.

Enlarge photo

Christopher Oquendo, AJCColin Steuterman decided to buy a home rather than continue renting when he saw an article in Forbes comparing rental versus ownership costs.

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Christopher Oquendo, AJCSteuterman’s home, built in 1998 in Forsyth County’s Springmonte subdivision, has four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and 2,376 square feet.

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Q: What prompted you to buy a home now?

A: I was reading an article in Forbes comparing rates of renting versus home ownership. The rates in Atlanta were the best comparison of rent versus mortgage payment. That really got me going. It really convinced me to start the research and look into buying a home. I always wanted a home; it was always a dream of mine. I did the homework and research and found out that I could make this happen for around the same price [as his rent].

Q: What was your price range?

A: $200,000 was my limit [he purchased the home for $195,000].

Q: What did you want in a home?

A: I wanted enough rooms for it to be comfortable for me and a roommate. I definitely wanted a garage and a kitchen. I wanted an office.

Q: How did the Cumming home stand out?

A: The home I purchased was well above what I was expecting. When you walk in the house, it’s really wide open and really well done on the inside. They redid all the carpet and hardwood floors and painted. There wasn’t any problems inside. The kitchen is big. It’s really wide open with the kitchen. It doesn’t feel like an apartment where you turn around and you’re in one room and you turn around and you’re in another room. It’s spread out.

Q: Have you had to spend a lot on furniture and other items?

A: No. I took what we had from the apartment that I was living in. Then my roommate’s parents were moving. They already had a second home that was full of stuff, so they had to get rid of all of their home furniture. We took most of the stuff.

Q: What’s a tip you could give to other first-time buyers?

A: Surround yourself with experts. My lender and my Realtor were excellent. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I knew it was the correct choice. As far as financially, it was the right time. But as far as negotiating and figuring out all of the ins and outs of things to do, [Anthony N. Acosta Jr. with Harry Norman, Realtors] really walked me through it. He really was a big-time adviser, kind of like a big brother to me.

At a glance

Colin Steuterman’s home, built in 1998 in Forsyth County’s Springmonte subdivision, has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and about 2,376 square feet. He purchased the home in June. Homes in the neighborhood are listed from $175,000-$299,900.