Karen Bellas

Short Sales: Making the Market Work for You

You can make a lot of money in the buyer's real estate market. Learn as much as you can and be cautious so you aren't in the same position as the seller is now.

If you have expended any amount of time recently viewing available homes, you have without a doubt noticed many properties listed as short sales. The purchase of a property that is worth less than its mortgage is better known as a "short sale." In today's market, the options appear to be limitless in the short sale section. With adjusting rates and a stiffening economy, foreclosures have been on the increase. Thus, as a buyer, it is the perfect time to have the market conditions work to your advantage.

Making Quick Work of Locating a Short Sale

It is a good idea to interview possible realtors, if you are drawn to a short sale. There are a few brokers who have a great deal of experience in working with short sale properties. For example, the seller's agent of a short sale should have cultivated a good working relationship with the bank who owns the mortgage. Some realtors are comfortable with seeking out properties that will be more house for your money. Make it understood right away that you are particularly interested in a short sale property. This will provide your realtor a great place to start his or her hunt.

Home Buyers can Come Across Awesome Bargains in Short Sales

Short sales are frequently offered at a minimal price to avoid lengthy exposure of assets for the bank who carries the mortgage. Lenders lose a great deal of money on a foreclosure at the moment; short sales have them to discharge the mortgage without going through the hassle and expense of a foreclosure. By and large, you will find the listing price to be appealing, without having to play "tug-of-war" with the seller. With a short sale, the loss of assets began taking place before the property you see entered the housing market. The owner is trying to sell the home to avoid having a foreclosure on his credit report. Mitigating the loss from the bank's books quickly alleviates added loss in income.

What to Anticipate From the Bank

As you might think, working with a lender for a short sale is not quite as swift as dealing with home owners. In most cases, when the bank accepts a purchase offer, a verbal confirmation will be what mark the beginning of the sale. The bank contracts with a particular Title Company who processes the title and escrow for the sale. Typically, in a short sale, the only side required to move quickly is the buyer's. The Title Company and the Noteholder (Lender) anwer slower than in a regular sale as they are not anxious to formally lose money. This is also most likely due to the the high workload involved in such a transaction.

The best path to ensure a timely closing is to submit any requested documentation as quickly as possible. There may be a month or more until your closing date, but do not let that fool you. There are many more things happening in the sales and lending process than what meets the eye. Bear in mind that you are dealing with a Company and not a single person. Keep your side of the bargain by keeping in step with your lender and the time will pass quickly. Soon enough you will be moving into a great home.

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