Short Sale Information

SHORT SALE INFORMATION

What is a Short Sale?

A Short Sale is when you sell your home for less than the balance remaining on your mortgage. If your mortgage company agrees to a short sale, you can sell your home and pay off all (or a portion of) your mortgage balance with the proceeds. You may also be eligible for the government’s Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) which offers short sale and Deed In Lieu options. A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure and may be an option if:

You are ineligible to refinance or modify your mortgage
You are facing a long-term hardship
You are behind on your mortgage payments
You owe more on your home than it’s worth
You have not been able to sell your home at a price that covers your mortgage debt
You can no longer afford your home and are ready or need to leave

What are the benefits of a Short Sale?

A Short Sale will help eliminate or reduce your mortgage debt while avoiding the negative impact of foreclosure on your credit. You can then start repairing your credit sooner than if you went through a foreclosure and may be able to qualify for a mortgage to purchase a home sooner (in as little as 2 years) than if you went through foreclosure (at least 7 years)

What is the process for a Short Sale?

If you qualify for this option, the process is similar to a normal real estate sales transaction. We will work to market and sell your home. You will work with your mortgage company and our team every step of the way to:

Set the sale price (based on current market value)
Collect financial information and negotiate with other lien holders (i.e., your second mortgage company) if applicable
Review acceptable offers and agree to the terms of the sale once a buyer is in place
Work with the buyer’s real estate agent and mortgage lender to finalize the sale

In some cases, you may be eligible to receive relocation assistance to use toward your moving expenses and to make the transition to new housing easier. A Short Sale may take up to 120 days, but this could be shorter or longer depending upon your specific situation. If you are unable to sell your home, you may be able to transfer the ownership of your property to the owner of your mortgage (also called a Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure)

What are the next steps for a Short Sale?

Gather your financial and loan information, have them on hand when you call your mortgage company. You’ll need:

Your mortgage statements, including information on a second mortgage (if applicable)
Your other monthly debt payments (car or student loans, credit card statements)
Your income details (pay-stubs and income tax returns)

Explain your current situation. Be ready to outline your current hardship and explain why you are having trouble making your mortgage payment, the reasons why this is a long-term problem and inform your mortgage company that you want to sell your home to avoid foreclosure. Your mortgage company will need to understand the reasons why you are having difficulty in order to find the right solution for you. Tell them you are interested in a Short Sale and you want to see if you qualify. Your mortgage company wants to help you avoid foreclosure and, in most cases, will be willing to work with you. The biggest mistake you can make is to wait any longer to take action. Contact your mortgage company today to determine if you are eligible for a Short Sale. Contact us for assistance with any of the above procedures (before or after contacting your mortgage company).