The U.S. Treasury Department released guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program on Nov. 30, 2009.

It was designed with good intentions — to simplify and streamline use of short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. However, HAFA is a complex 43-page program that may be difficult for most real estate agents to fully understand.

To be perfectly honest, most agents may not even have the time or desire to familiarize themselves with the entire program.

But you simply don’t have a choice — HAFA guidelines go into effect April 2010! And they will likely have a large impact on your business, protocols and, most important, commissions.

Here’s the good news: You do not have to be left in the dark on this industry changing program.

That because Foreclosure.com Agent University is conducting two limited attendance FREE Webinars (Register here or here) to teach real estate agents all about the key HAFA changes.

This 1.5 to 2-hour Webinar will take an in-depth look at the guidelines and forms focusing on the key issues to real estate agents:

• Commission impact
• Forms and paperwork
• Participation guidelines
• Timelines
• Servicer participation
• Incentives for homeowners
• Second- and third-party liens
• And much more!

DO NOT MISS THIS IMPORTANT FREE WEBINAR!

Click on one of the events below to register:

• Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at  3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/690622256
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/929001865

HAFA is part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), providing incentives in connection with a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program.

Understanding HAFA inside-out is critical for serious real estate professionals. And this is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know at absolutely no cost to you.

“Former NFL player turned multi-millionaire “flipper” to reveal successful marketing and business systems during free online seminar”

Boca Raton, Fla. — Foreclosure.com is proud to announce that real estate investing expert, Than Merrill, is back by popular demand to conduct an online training seminar, during which he will reveal his proven “turnkey” real estate system that unlocks the secrets to flipping riches.

‘Make $20,000 While You Sleep’ will be held live online on Feb. 10, 2010, from 9 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. ET. To register for free and/or find out more information visit:

http://www.foreclosure.com/education/webinars/make-20k-while-you-sleep.html

Than — one of the most successful real estate investors in the nation, as well as the star of A&E’s hit television show, “Flip This House” — is going to show first-time homebuyers and experienced investors alike how to find amazing house deals for 65 cents on the dollar or less during a free real estate training Webinar.

“Than is the best when it comes to recognizing great deals and using automation to facilitate getting them done fast,” said Linda Yates, Director of Education, Foreclosure.com. “Now is the time to get off the fence and invest in a buyers market no matter where you live — it’s now or never!”

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Foreclosure.com today announced that it has enhanced its industry-leading real estate agent training curriculum, which is administered through Agent University, adding the Certified Short Sale Agent (CSSA) program to its growing list of education offerings.

Short sale transactions will comprise a significant amount of business for real estate agents for the next three to five years. The sheer volume of defaults today is just too much for loss mitigation departments everywhere to handle efficiently without outside assistance.

Additionally, with new guidelines like HAFA emerging, banks, servicers and investors are looking to short sales as a viable foreclosure alternative.

Success in short sale transactions requires a high degree of expertise to complete successfully — CSSA training provides professionals with the tools and resources to capitalize on this market trend and make short sales a profitable part of their business.

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If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to buy yourself a house or investment property then it’s never too soon to start getting all your ducks in a row.

Before you even start searching Foreclosure.com for the best real estate deals in your area, it’s critical that you first assess, address and possibly even correct your current financial situation.

Buying a home is a big deal … even if it’s considered the steal of the century.

The Jan. 2010 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available, which details everything you need to know about “Getting Your House in Order” to figure out what kind of property you can (or can’t) afford.

That mean’s you need to sit down, crunch the numbers and get your credit in top form. This “housekeeping” ensures that when you spot your dream home, you’re able to move fast without fear that the deal will fall through because you missed a few payments on your JC Penny credit card four years ago.

The market is still ripe for the picking. You have a lot of choices, especially when it comes to the distressed property market. There are lots of great properties in areas all over the country, so there has literally never been a better time to buy.

But you must be smart about it — the last thing you want is to get in over your head … that’s what caused the housing market we’re experiencing now

So check out “Getting Your House in Order” today so you can make a home purchase as soon (and as painless) as possible.

To read this month’s free educational newsletter from Foreclosure.com CLICK HERE.

Foreclosure.com Director of Education, Linda Yates, will be featured on a panel of knowledgeable experts at the ERA® ‘Saving the Dream of Homeownership’ Seminar, which is scheduled for the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010.

Yates and the other presenters will address the needs, questions and concerns of consumers regarding the purchase of foreclosed and/or short sale homes. In addition, information on how to prevent foreclosure will also be made available.

“The clock is ticking to capitalize on the best real estate conditions buyers and investors have come across in literally decades,” said Yates. “Record-low home prices and interest rates, as well as limited-time government tax incentives, have created the ‘perfect storm’ for future homeowners.”

The educational seminar, which is free to attend and open to the public, will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. ET. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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