Apollo Beach, FL – July 31, 2012 – Michele Herndon of Keller Williams Realty South
Shore in Apollo Beach has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert®
(CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with
a particular emphasis on short sales. At a time when millions of homeowners are
struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education amassed by
Herndon will help benefit the South Shore area residents and communities.
Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the
home sells for, even if 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.
Today, more than 13 percent of homeowners are delinquent on their mortgage or in the
foreclosure process. This is occurring across all price ranges, and the fastest-growing
category of homes in foreclosure is the luxury home market.
“The CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with homeowners and lenders on
complicated short sales,” said Herndon. “It is so rewarding to be able to help families
save their homes from foreclosure.”
Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Distressed Property Institute in Austin, Texas,
said that agents such as Michele Herndon with the CDPE Designation have valuable
perspective on the market, and training in short sales that can offer homeowners real
alternatives to foreclosure, which can be devastating to credit ratings.
“These experts better understand market conditions than the average agent, and can
help sellers through the complications of foreclosure avoidance,” he said.
The Distressed Property Institute provides live and online courses to train real estate
professionals how to help homeowners in distress, with a strong focus on handling short
sales.
“Our goal is to help as many homeowners as possible, by educating as many real
estate professionals as possible,” Charfen said. “Michele Herndon has demonstrated a
commitment to struggling homeowners, a commitment that can provide much-needed
stabilization to the community.”
For more information about CDPE Designation, visit www.cdpe.com.