Incline Village, Nev., (May 20, 2010) – Chase International broker salesperson and consultant Michelle Plevel was recently appointed as a mediator to the Nevada Foreclosure Mediation Program (FMP) by the Nevada Supreme Court. 
The FMP allows homeowners to sit down with mortgage lenders and trained mediators to discuss alternatives to foreclosure. If a homeowner requests mediation, the lender may not foreclose until mediation has been concluded. Under Nevada law, the program is open to homeowners of owner-occupied homes who receive a foreclosure notice of default filed on or after July 1, 2009. Importantly, if one seeks mediation the foreclosure can be suspended, re-set or even removed depending on the ultimate agreement between the borrower and lender. “Having spent 25 years as a real estate broker and consultant I have a comprehensive experience in short sale negotiations, loan modifications, debt stripping, sales and acquisition of real property,” Plevel said. “This allows me to understand the position of the borrowers and lenders from both perspectives. “ The Reno-based Plevel said she was honored to be appointed to the position, particularly because of the 270 appointments made, 98 percent were attorneys or judges. “The goal is to get the banks and the borrowers together to solve their problems and ultimately create a positive outcome and agreement for both parties,” she explained. “We are not arbitrators, judges or negotiators; we assist in creating positive communication and outcomes in foreclosure crisis situations.” According to Plevel, asset preservation of real property is critical for the entire state of Nevada which has highest foreclosure rate in the United States. She notes that one in four homes in the state is in distress either because of non affordable new mortgage payments due to a re-cast loan or significant drop in property value. Some Nevada properties have dropped as much as 60 percent in value. “When a home is on the block as a foreclosure, many times these homes are stripped of physical amenities such as cabinets, flooring, doors, plumbing, landscaping,” she explains. “This becomes a serious problem for the community at large since the home now is being sold at auction at a greatly reduced price lowering the values of all the homes in the community.” Plevel said foreclosure mediation strives to prevent foreclosures, which keeps people in their homes; protecting and caring for the property while they are working out alternative agreements with the lenders. “Ultimately the values are then protected since the homes are sold in good condition at market prices,” Plevel said. “Values are predatory when homes are sitting abandoned and investors purchase at the REO departments of the banks. Asset preservation is not only good for the homeowner, but also the community.” Headquartered in Lake Tahoe, Nevada since 1986, with eight offices in the region (Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe and Reno) and one in London, England, Chase International and its exclusive affiliations handles a large share of the country’s property. A recognized leader in the world of real estate, Chase International has once again taken the reins of cutting edge technology by launching www.ChaseNation.com, the first interactive social networking website created by a real estate brokerage as a vehicle for direct interaction with consumers online. With more than 225 professional Realtors® boasting an array of industry certifications and the highest volume per sales agent in the area, Chase International successfully represents homes at all price levels. For more information about Chase International visit www.chaseinternational.com.