With the number of short sales steadily increasing in housing markets over the past few years, there’s a chance you’ll encounter this type of sale in your home search. Or, you may be one of the many homeowners considering the short sale option for your home. Short sales are now common in many markets. At one time, short sales were viewed as too complex and burdensome to deal with from a buyer’s perspective but this isn’t necessarily the case today. With the help of an educated and experienced real estate Broker, a short sale is not only manageable, but can result in a great deal on the home of your dreams. For a seller who’s facing foreclosure, a short sale can be the best outcome in a difficult situation. This material covers the basics. Although if you’re going down this route as a buyer or seller, it’s absolutely critical to work with a Broker who understands short sales. What is a Short Sale? A short sale is a real estate transaction when the bank or lender agrees to let the homeowners sell their home for less than their loan balance. In some cases, the sellers don’t need to pay back the difference between what they owe and the proceeds of the sale. Recent changes in the industry have streamlined the short sale process, making this kind of transaction a popular alternative for both buyers and sellers. Additionally, banks are much more interested in facilitating short sales and avoiding foreclosures that result in placing the properties back on their books.
Who Benefits in a short sale? In many cases, short sales present a proverbial “win-win” situation. Here’s how:
How it Works Say you owe $200,000 on your home and can no longer make the mortgage payments. One option is to refinance your home and secure a lower payment based on a longer term or better interest rates. But if your property has lost value due to local market conditions (say it would sell for only $150,000), refinancing isn’t feasible. If the bank agrees to a sale at $150,000, it’s called a short sale. Although short sales have become more common in recent years, banks don’t always grant them. In general, they approve short sales in the following situations:
What to Expect When Buying: Short sales often look like other listings in the MLS, except they may have a lower asking price than comparable properties. The term “short sale” is a bit of a misnomer, though, as this type of transaction can take much longer to complete than a standard home sale. The buying process is similar to a standard purchase. You still apply for financing the same way, for instance, and order inspections the same way. Complications in the selling process aren’t uncommon, and you’ll need patience and a solid real estate Broker to deal with them. The good news, though, is that times have changed. Many banks have streamlined their processes for short sales, making it much simpler and less time consuming for buyers and sellers. Market data shows that the time it takes to close a short sale has steadily decreased over the past few years. Why You Need an Experienced Agent For many reasons, choosing a real estate Broker who has experience with short sales makes a tremendous difference. An experienced Broker may already have the right contacts within the lender’s local office, and most likely has already helped buyers through the process. Possible short sale obstacles a Broker can help you navigate:
Working with a Broker who understands the short sale process saves you stress and time spent dealing with obstacles that often come up along the way. Tips for Choosing a Top-Notch Broker Using a Broker is important in any real estate transaction, and even more so in a short sale. A skilled Broker will be able to prepare for obstacles and move through them as quickly as possible. When choosing a Broker, it’s important to:
It’s equally important to be comfortable with your Broker and use all the same tips noted in the Tips on Choosing and Working with a Realtor. Ultimately, your Broker can mean the difference between a successful short sale and a huge, frustrating disappointment. The Short Sale Buyer’s Checklist
What to Expect When Short Selling A short sale often presents a good option for homeowners who are in danger of foreclosure or in default because of documented financial hardship. The benefits of a short sale include:
Because your credit history won’t take as long to recover with a short sale as it would with a foreclosure – an average of two years versus seven years – the short sale option is great for sellers who want to own a home again in the near future. Has Your Bank Already Contacted You? Some banks have launched programs to pre-qualify homeowners for short sales. Through their records and housing data, they identify borrowers on their books who are in negative-equity situations. In this case, some are reaching out to borrowers in an attempt to further streamline the short sale process. This makes it much easier for you, the seller, to proceed with a short sale. New Federal Guidelines shorten wait time In the past, the notoriously long waiting game for short sales deterred many buyers from attempting them. But times have changed. Many banks have streamlined the process and removed the barriers that have hamstrung short sales in the past. Some are even pre-qualifying borrowers to get the ball rolling faster. In addition, federal guidelines have helped shorten the wait for mortgages owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These are great changes for buyers and sellers, because it means there are regulations in place to help shorten the process. A short sale may be a great option for you. The key is to find an experienced Broker who can help you pursue the purchase or sale with confidence. |
|
For Professional Service Every Time… Michael Lange
541-254-4088
mlange@remax.net
oregonbeachomes.com
Connect with Me:
Download my
RE/MAX Mobile App:
Home Buying Resources: Down Payment Assistance Buying a Home (HUD) Local Home Buying Programs Oregon Housing & Community Home Buying Services Government Home Buying Grants Operation HOPE Military Home Ownership Assistance Program Veteran Administration – First Time Buyer Program Search for Homes
by Area:
Brookings Harbor Gold Beach Bandon Langlois Port Orford Map Search for Homes
by Price:
Homes under $100K Homes $100K to $250K Homes $250K to $500K Homes $500K to $1M Homes $1M and over Search for Homes
by Type:
Construction Built Luxury Manufactured Homes Vacant Lots and Land Multi-Family Commercial |
Whether it’s marketing your home to a global clientele or helping you find the home you’ve been