Short Sale | Things to Consider
The carnage in the real estate market echoes that of the Great Depression when millions of Americans lost their homes to foreclosure.
Why do lenders prefer short sales to foreclosures?
Generally speaking, foreclosure represents a greater loss to the lender.
Attorney’s fees, trustee fees, holding, and maintenance costs continue to add up month over month. In addition, banks are in the money business. They can’t lend against an REO property because it’s a non-performing asset.
Concerns with a Short Sale
Short sales are typically most beneficial for all parties involved. Several issues may occur that can either delay the closing of a short sale or prevent a short sale entirely. A few of the issues are:
Lender
Banks are seriously understaffed. The employees are overworked and under-trained to deal with the bombardment of loan modification applications and short sale files. Additionally, government programs, ever-changing guidelines, and local market fluctuations add more chaos and confusion to the short sale process.
Brokers and Agents
Some real estate agents claim to be “Short Sale Specialists”. The fact of the matter is that very few agents have the skills and training necessary to process, negotiate, and close a short sale transaction.
- Process: Short sale packages must be submitted according to lender guidelines. Untrained agents and/or agents lacking experience are often the reason short sales do not close.
- Negotiate: Most agents are not trained and skilled negotiators. They simply do not have the skills to negotiate the most favorable terms possible for the homeowners.
- Close: Agents, buyers, and sellers often carry unrealistic expectations regarding the process and the length of time it takes to obtain lender approval on a short sale.
Parties to the Transaction
One of the most common misconceptions is that the first mortgage holder is the sole decision-maker in approving a short sale. The fact is, 3rd parties frequently block short sales. Among the 3rd party objectors are tax lien holders (property, income, estate, and/or corporate franchise tax) and mechanic’s lien holders. It is also possible for junior lien holders and PMI insurance companies to prevent a short sale.
The Short Sale Solution
Short sales are complex and highly specialized real estate transactions that should only be handled by experienced professionals with the proper credentials and resources. If you need help with a short sale, hire Kathleen Daniels, a distressed property expert.