There are a lot of Short Sales, Foreclosures, REO properties on the market today. The best suggestion, as a Real Estate agent, I can give you, if you don't have to sell, don't . You can not compete with the current property values which today are based on what the lender will accept for a property in a short sale situation or foreclosure. Buyer's are shopping & looking for great deals. You will not get what you want or need from you investment.

If you are in the process of divorce, don't liquidate your real estate investments. Combine your resources, hang on until the market stabilizes, you will be better off in the long run. If you can hold on.

We all love our homes, be honest, if your home is not something special, don't list it. Depending on the area you are in, you are not likely to rent your home for your monthly payment. Leasing your property is an option, just be prepared to pay the difference.

As an investor, if you go into foreclosure you could still be liable for the balance owed, if you put nothing down and have a Private Mortgage Insurance company (PMI) involved, you do not have the protection provided to the primary home owner. You can seek a short sale, you will probably be required to sign a side note to the PMI in order to be relieved of your debt.

This is a buyers market, don't list your home unless you can afford to compete with the lenders, and appeal to the current crop of buyers. Real Estate is about supply & demand. The supply is high, the demand is low. Buyers are selective, they are looking to buy for pennies on the dollar. Upgrades really don't count.

If you want to help bring the value of your home up, don't list your property at this time. Hang in there.

If you are having difficulty making your payments, if your payments have continued to go up, there are options.

For a primary residence you can go to Neighbor Works: 888-995-HOPE; www.nw.org.

You might be able to work out a Repayment plan with your lender. A Forbearance plan is also an option, it will allow you to suspend payments for a period of time. Loan Modification is another option. Partial Claim only for FHA loans, Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, home must be listed for 90 days, The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows military members to suspend or postpone some civil obligations so that the military member can devote their full attention to their military duties. Disaster Relief, victims of storms, hurricanes, tornado, flood or other natural disasters, and of course the Short Sale, which allows the owner to sell the home for less than the total amount owed. There are many options for the primary residence that might result in total debt forgiveness. Investors have a slightly more difficult road to travel and are more likely to face a deficiency judgment, however even for the investor it can be done.

If you find yourself facing the loss of your home, it is always wise to seek legal advise from an attorney or your CPA. It is also wise to contact the powers that be to find out what your options are. NeighborWorks: 888-995-Hope; www.nw.org.

There are options, this is not the time to bury your head in the sand. Take control, take action.