AZ Land List .com

A short sale is an option that is available to sellers that will prevent foreclosure. This specific type of real estate sale is becoming more popular as many people are becoming unable to meet their mortgage payments because of the tough economic times. If you’re trying to sell a home in this crowded real estate market, a short sale will allow you to competitively price your home and it may save you from foreclosure.

As a seller, you need to know that completing a short sale will leave you without a profit on your home. The home will be sold for less than the balance of your mortgage and you’ll need to qualify for this type of sale before being able to use it. For this reason, its best to work with a licensed real estate agent who has experience with short sales in order to get the best results with process. Look for a Certified Default Resolution Specialist (CDTS) to handle your short sale. These are special real estate agents who have been trained to handle short sales and other similar real estate transactions. Since they’ve received special training and certification you can be sure that they’ll be able to guide you through this somewhat complicated process.

In order to qualify for a short sale, you’ll have to show the bank that you are under financial hardship. You will also need to show that the value of your home won’t cover the balance of the loans against it. Typically, you’ll need to show income verification and bank statements to a lender to prove that you required a short sale. In addition, you’ll need to turn in a statement that explains your financial hardship. These documents in and of themselves can be hundreds of pages long, which is why having an expert real estate agent is a good idea. The bank or lender will be responsible for the closing costs and the real estate agents’ fees.

Under a short sale, your home will be sold as-is, so you won’t have to make any improvements to the home in order to make it more saleable. You may have to put down some out of pocket money depending on the offer you receive, the deficit of the loan and the lender’s preferences. Your bank or lender will not allow a family member to purchase your home in a short sale.

Contrary to its name, a short sale does not happen extremely quickly. It can take up to four months or as little as two in order to get the short sale complete. This timeframe starts after an offer for the home has been received. Knowing the length of time that these sales normally take is helpful in order to prepare yourself for the process. If you are on the brink of foreclosure, your certified real estate agent may be able to delay the foreclosure sale if there has been a reasonable offer for your home.

Even with these drawbacks, a short sale may still be the best way for you to get out of your current mortgage. Speak with a reputable real estate agent to get started with the process.