Q. What is a Short Sale?
A. A Short Sale is a contract whereby the bank or mortgage company agrees to accept less than the owner owes.
"SHORT SALE" has become "short hand" for the description of a house that an owner needs to sell, has tried to sell and is unable to sell.

Q. Can any home be sold as a Short Sale?
A. NO. The bank must agree to any Short Sale. The owner must meet certain criteria for need.

Q. Are Short Sales listed in the MLS along with other homes for sale?
A. Yes. Short Sales are fully available in the MLS and Homesdatabase.com

Q. Are all Short Sales identified in the listing?
A. NO. Short Sales are not always identified in the listing.

Q. Can any seller sell their home as a Short Sale?
A. NO. THE SELLER WILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED by the bank or mortgage company.

Q. Are Short Sales selling?
A. If they are priced right and if the contract is not below the bank or mortgage company's "bottom line".

Q. What happens with a Short Sale listing that does not sell?
A. Many will go to foreclosure. Many owners will find help and cure the default. Banks are offering "work out" schedules to avoid foreclosure.

Homefinders network of brokers and agents are experienced and will manage your short sale needs. Make sure that any buyers pre-approved. If the buyer is pre-approved, the contract is completely in order with all addenda, disclosures and notices completed when the contract is presented, the mortgage company or bank will be much more receptive. If and when the bank counters the offer and presents additional documents for the buyer to accept and sign, do it quickly.

SHORT SALES ARE NOT FOR EVERY HOME OWNER
WHO CAN'T MAKE THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS.

Many home owners, because of national publicity, believe that any home owner is a candidate for a short sale solution. It's not that easy. THE OWNER MUST QUALIFY.

Some things must happen before your home should be listed as a short sale.
1. You should have contacted your mortgage company and let them know that you are in financial difficulty and need a solution. The mortgage company may question you about

• assets
• earnings
• have you tried to sell?

Once the mortgage company understands that you are serious, they may send you a "short sale package" for you to complete with necessary information to return to the bank. Based on your information, the bank will advise that you may want to list as a short sale.

There are several events that must occur for a potentially successful short sale.

1. You need to understand the market value of your home.
2. You must list the house for sale with "third party approval required". The "third party" that must approve the contract of sale is your mortgage company.
3. When you select a listing agent, make sure to use the services of an agent with
   short sale experience.
4. Understand the market in your area before pricing the home. Your mortgage company will require detailed market information before approving a Contract of Sale.
5. Your agent may recommend that you obtain the services of an attorney to communicate with your mortgage company because real estate agents cannot give legal advice.
6. Make sure you disclose to your agent all mortgages, liens and encumbrances that you may have. HELOC loans, second mortgages, consumer purchases that are a lien against the property can make short sales difficult.
7. Make the house as accessible as possible. You can't sell it if you don't show it.
8. Cooperate with the bank with timely letters and forms as requested. The banks are not always quick to review and approve short sale contracts. Everyone involved in the process must have patience.
9. You must disclose all of your assets to the mortgage company. Your mortgage company will not approve a short sale on your residential real estate if you have assets that can be liquidated to pay your deficiency.

Consider the above and if you believe that you may be a candidate for a short sale, contact Homefinders and we'll help. 800-711-7988.