Short Sale: For some clients, selling their home is actually the relief that they need. After reviewing your financial portfolio, it may become obvious that you can no longer afford your home. Many owners have often realized this and tried unsuccessfully for months to sell their home through traditional real estate methods.
But, because of market fluctuations and changes beyond your control, sometimes your home may not sell at the anticipated full price of your loan. A Short Sale allows you to sell your home to a third party at a price which is less than the total amount that you owe.
What is a Short Sale?
A short sale is when a lender accepts a discount on a mortgage to avoid a possible foreclosure auction or bankruptcy. Instead of buying from a seller, you are purchasing the property directly from the lender for a discount. For example: A homeowner, who is facing foreclosure, has an existing first mortgage of $300,000. You write an offer to the lender for $220,000, which is accepted as full payment for the loan. This is a short sale. Why are they willing to take such a discount? Several reasons. First of all, banks do not like excess inventory and bad loans on their books; therefore, if they see an opportunity where they can sell the property without a huge loss, they will do it. Secondly, lenders know they could lose a lot more money if the property goes to auction. There are so many fees involved if the property goes to auction, that they would be better off taking the discount beforehand and be finished with the headache of it all.
Your lender will use the proceeds from the sale to pay off the mortgage and the remaining balance will be negotiated or perhaps even forgiven. This avenue is open for homeowners who are willing to part with their property but keep their credit rating with the least amount of negative reports.
Negotiating a Short Sale with the lender is a difficult process, generally because it is very hard to find the bank officer who has the authority to accept a discount. Much like getting your phone bill corrected, you can expect the process to involve a lot of waiting on hold and being bounced around an intricate maze of automated voice mail systems. Once you get in touch with the right person, then the hard work and the negotiating can begin.
The Mortgage Company may require a written contract with you and the buyer, a HUD-1 or settlement statement of the sale, a buyer assurance letter stating the potential buyer is approved for the new loan, proof that the house has been on the market for 90 days with a Real Estate Agent and financial information from you showing that you can’t afford the house.
Many short sales fall through for a number of reasons. We have successfully negotiated a Short Sale for many home owners and we know what the Mortgage Company needs for approval and in what order.
If you are willing to sell your home or currently have your house on the market, some lenders might agree to put your foreclosure on hold while you attempt to sell your home through traditional real estate methods. You may be able to qualify if your mortgage is at least 2 months delinquent, you are able to sell your home within 3-5 months and your new appraisal shows that the value of your home meets HUD program guidelines. You will be able to pay off your mortgage loan to avoid foreclosure and prevent any damage to your credit rating.
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Deed in lieu of foreclosure:The deed in lieu of foreclosure offers several advantages to both the borrower and the lender. The principle advantage to the borrower is that it immediately releases him from most or all of the personal indebtedness associated with the defaulted loan. The borrower also avoids the public notoriety of a foreclosure proceeding and may receive more generous terms than he would in a formal foreclosure.
If you have been unable to make your monthly mortgage payments and have also been unsuccessful trying to sell your home at the market value, this form of foreclosure may be what is necessary to get you back on track. This procedure allows you to transfer your property voluntarily to your lender or Mortgage Company and your debt or deficiency is often forgiven. This will not save your home, but it will help you with your chances of getting another mortgage loan in the future and it will help you avoid the lengthy legal process of foreclosure.
Although it is a negative strike on your credit rating, it is less harmful than a mortgage foreclosure. Typically your Mortgage Company will require that your home has been listed with a Real Estate Agent for at least 30 days and there are no other liens on the property for them to approve you. Some Companies may also require that the property be vacant, an interior appraisal of the property and a minimum of 60 days prior to a Foreclosure sale. Let us help you with filing the necessary paperwork and negotiating with your Mortgage Company.
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