How the Private Sector Can Help Restore Consumer Confidence

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a panel discussion featuring leading figures from the real estate industry, T.J. Agresti, chief executive of EquityLock Solutions, outlined how contracts designed to protect home values can help restore consumer confidence and reignite the languishing housing slump.

In a talk titled, "A Tale of Two Cities," Agresti told attendees of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) annual convention last weekend that the housing markets in many American cities are suffering from the consequences of the housing bubble that collapsed in 2007.

"But there were a few exceptions, such as Syracuse, that were immunized against the effects of the housing bubble," Agresti noted. "Not coincidentally, homebuyers in Syracuse could protect their equity for a one-time fee of just under 2% of the home's value."  

Agresti's remarks came during a panel discussion featuring names in real estate:

• Ed Krafchow, Chairman of the Board, Better Homes and Gardens, Mason-McDuffie Real Estate
• Margaret Kelly, CEO, RE/MAX, LLC
• Sherry Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, LLC
• Rei Mesa, President & CEO, Prudential Florida Realty
• Bill Plattos, EVP & General Manager, First Team Real Estate
• John Melo, Co-founder and CEO, Century 21 M&M and Associates

Agresti said EquityLock's product offering was inspired by internationally prominent economist, Robert Shiller, the Yale economist who gave his name to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who in 2008 called for a hedge to absorb market risk for homeowners. Both have argued that the private sector can be a more appropriate provider for protecting individual homeowners against market declines.

Earlier this year, EquityLock Solutions became the first company to create an entirely new category and market based on the principle of preserving the value of a home from future market declines by creating a hedge against a home price index.  EquityLock Solution's Home Price Protection™ is not an insurance policy. EquityLock's products are contracts to manage against market risks, not investment contracts or contracts of insurance.

"This is significant when it comes to restoring consumer confidence," said Agresti. "Insurance products use the purchase price as a determining factor and the payout is based on the index going down and the home's value going down below the original purchase price; insurance products don't credit homeowners for home improvements or investments made in their home."

EquityLock's products recognize homeowner's investment in their homes, doing things to maintain and improve their properties, which, in turn, improves the overall value of communities. "We pay homeowners if the local market index declines, even if the homeowner ends up selling their own home for a profit," said Agresti. "Because we believe in the power of homeownership to keep communities and the economy strong."

EquityLock has quickly gained supporters in the national real estate community, including RE/MAX and Real Living. These national real estate partners are offering EquityLock Solution's Home Price Protection™ to consumers through licensed REALTORS® across the country.

Home Price Protection™ is available to homeowners who are currently purchasing or already own their home. The agreement covers the home for 15 years with a one-time premium of roughly 1.5 to 3 percent of the value of the home. The homeowner is eligible to make a claim after residing in the protected home for 24 months and is protected for up to 20 percent of the stated value of the contract. The home is not protected by the product should it go into foreclosure, but is protected in a short sale.

For more information, visit www.equitylocksolutions.com.

SOURCE EquityLock Solutions