How Does A Short Sale Work For The Seller?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A short sale is when a home owner sells his or her property for less than the amount owed on their mortgage. In other words, the seller is “short

” the cash needed to fully repay the mortgage lender

. Typically, the bank or lender agrees to a short sale in order to recoup a portion of the mortgage loan owed to them.

How does a short sale affect the seller?

If you’re a seller, a short sale

is likely to damage your credit —

but not as badly as a foreclosure. You’ll also walk away from your home without a penny from the deal, making it difficult for you to find another place to live. However, a short sale can forestall foreclosure and its negative impact on your credit.

What does a short sale mean for the seller?

A short sale is

when a homeowner sells their home for less than what they owe on their mortgage

. With this arrangement, the seller doesn’t receive enough money from the sale to pay off their mortgage loan and must make up the difference somehow.

Can a seller reject a short sale offer?

They can also

refuse short sales outright

, forcing sellers with the means to repay to keep making payments or go to foreclosure. Lenders usually deny short sales if the loan is current or the seller fails to prove a financial hardship.

What are the steps in a short sale process?

  1. Step 1: Engage Professionals & Pre-Negotiation. …
  2. Step 2: Property Listed, Marketed & Sales Contract Submittal. …
  3. Step 3: Short Sale Package & Submittal to Bank. …
  4. Step 4: Lender’s Review. …
  5. Step 5: Lender Response & Submittal to Buyer. …
  6. Step 6: Short Sale Closing. …
  7. Step 7: Post-Closing.

Does the seller get any money in a short sale?

A short sale means

they won’t earn any profit from the sale of the house

– the bank or mortgage lender gets all the sales proceeds.

Do you still owe money after a short sale?

In California,

you can only do so after a short sale

, but remain liable for the debts after a foreclosure sale. … Thus, deficiency judgments, or these debts you may still owe after your home was sold, can usually be discharged in bankruptcy.

Why do short sales get denied?

A short sale is sometimes

denied due to something as simple as the seller being current on paying their mortgage

. The bank’s guidelines might state the bank isn’t allowed to approve a short sale if the mortgage payments aren’t in arrears.

What happens if a short sale is denied?

An incomplete file typically means the documentation that the bank is requesting from the seller has not been obtained in a timely manner or is incomplete. … If this documentation is not met, a short sale lender will deny a file and make the listing agent,

title attorney and seller start all over again

.

What happens if a short sale does not sell?

Unfortunately, if your attempts at short selling your home fail you’re left with a home you’re struggling to afford and no way to sell it. When short sales don’t pan out,

homeowners still have foreclosure avoidance options, including deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure

.

How long does a short sale take 2020?

Short sales usually take longer than regular home sales. It’s rare for a short sale to close

within 30 days

. If you want to sell your home as a short sale, you’ll need a good Realtor to help keep the new buyer motivated so they don’t want to give up on the home due to a lengthy sales process.

How long do short sales take?

A short sale can take

up to six months to be approved

because many factors can slow the process down. You might be able to reduce the time it takes to be approved by asking your agent for some information before making an offer.

How long is a short sale contract?

There is no time limit on how long a short sale can or cannot be open for. Thus, a short sale is, by default,

held indefinitely

.

Will bank pay closing costs on short sale?

With a more traditional home purchase, you can often negotiate with the seller to have them cover some closing costs. But in a short sale, buyers are rarely afforded this concession.

The bank probably isn’t going to pay your closing costs

because they’re trying to recoup as many costs as possible on the loan.

Are short sales worth it?

In short, short sales are

a good idea

if you have plenty of time and money. A short sale buyer may get the property at a reduced price, but the property (in all likelihood) has its share of problems — think “fixer-upper” — and the deal needs to go through considerable red tape to make it happen.

What are the risks of a short sale?

  • Long Process. …
  • Subject to the Mortgage Lender’s Approval. …
  • Lender Could Counter, Reject or Not Respond. …
  • Opportunity Cost. …
  • Property ‘As Is’ …
  • Is the Seller Approved? …
  • Lenders Prefer All Cash or Large Down Payments.
Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.