Image courtesy of Flickr, Diana Parkhouse
In real estate, you've heard the term short sale. But what does that mean? And is this option for selling or buying property something you should consider?
In real estate, "short sale" is one of the most misunderstood transactions. For example, often it's confused with "foreclosure." Although both involve distressed properties, the process for each is totally different. Also very different are the consequences for the seller's credit score and ability to get a future mortgage.
Read on to learn what a short sale is and is not, some facts, how to navigate the process, the benefits for sellers, lenders and buyers and possible disadvantages.
Essentially a "short sale" is the selling of real estate for less than the amount of debts held as liens against it. It's also known as a "pre-foreclosure sale." Those liens might include the original mortgage, second and third mortgages and special assessments by home-owners associations. In addition, insurers of the loan also might have financial obligations to settle.
The transaction involves a real estate agent. That is, a short sale has many of the components of a traditional real estate sale.
In contrast, in a foreclosure the bank already has taken possession of the property. That's called "REO" or bank-owned property, which is auctioned off. There is none of the conventional sales process involved.
For the seller that consists of:
For the buyer:
For primary lender:
Obviously, through a short sale property owners rid themselves of that financial burden. The real estate commission is paid by the bank. Just as importantly, there is less damage to your credit rating than with a foreclosure. The effect on your credit can be reduced further if the lender notifies credit bureaus the debt has been "paid in full." Within two years, you may be able to apply for a mortgage.
The payoff for being patient during this slow process could be a purchase price below current market value for a comparable property. The average discount ranges from 10 to 30 percent. This has also given you the know-how to conduct other searches for short sales. Some buyers specialize in this niche for re-sale or investment purposes.
Short sales prevent foreclosures. As the foreclosure looms, those being evicted may trash the property out of spite. Also, during the time from foreclosure to auction, the vacant property can be stripped of valuable components such as copper plumbing. Squatters may move in as well.
According to Stop Foreclosure Now, the short-sale process is less expensive for lenders than foreclosures. In addition, with short sales, payment is immediate upon closing. In a foreclosure, the property remains a liability on the books.
The low approval rate for short sales means this is a gamble for sellers. You might wind up in foreclosure anyway, with the all negative consequences for your credit rating. In foreclosure it could take up to seven years to able to apply for a mortgage. Another negative is the tax liability for you the seller. What some don't realize are the tax implications of the debt forgiveness. The IRS classifies the dollar amount of the reduction of debt as income that will be taxed.
For potential buyers, going the short-sale route is also a gamble. Given that lenders will push for the highest bid, you the buyer may not wind up with the "bargain" anticipated in the beginning of the search. In addition, you buy the property as-is. Although the home inspection disclosed the problems, you might not have adequately calculated all of the expenses for repairs. Consequently, there might not be a genuine bargain.
The real estate business is dynamic. For example, many new ways have emerged to find the right mortgage lender. Meanwhile, though, the short sale remains a proven tool to solve the problems of a distressed property owners and for entrepreneurial buyers to, as the saying goes, "mine for gold."
Specifically you the seller can get a fresh financial start. Your mortgage and other debts associated with the property are wiped out. The only residue are the taxes you will have to pay on the amount of forgiven debt. In about two years there are types of mortgages you can apply for. When doing that you will be more prudent in calculating the amount of monthly payment you can afford. To give yourself some financial "wiggle room" you might consider buying a two-family. The rent from the other unit can help insulate your monthly budget against unexpected bills.
In regions of the U.S., such as California, in which property values continue to escalate, the only way into the market might be hunting for a short sale. Buyers who become experienced in doing business in this niche could have a variety of new career paths open to them. Those range from becoming licensed as a real estate agent to developing a business investing in distressed properties.
Going the short-sale route isn't for everyone. But for those who can navigate the process it is a multi-dimensional financial tool that can clear the way to the American Dream.
Real estate agents receive commissions from home buyers and sellers, collectively earning over $50 Billion per year. Learn how commission amounts are set, who pays them, and how they work in this article. Read more.
199,550
List of secured property tax rates for all counties of California fiscal year for 2014-2015. Read more.
128,424
If you live in California and are over the age of 55 you can effectively reduce your property taxes when buying a new home. Read more.
68,073
You've heard the term used before, but what does loan closing mean? Find out all you need to know about the process. Read more.
55,565
Houston Vs. Dallas? If you are considering moving to either of these major metropolitan areas, we've created a resource to help you make the decision process a little easier. Read more.
54,472
Foreign real estate investment in the United States, both commercial and residential, is a huge phenomenon that is only expected to accelerate, maybe even to skyrocket, in 2016. Read more.
51,225
Whenever there is money to be made or money to be spent, some unscrupulous folks will take advantage, trying to game the system or commit all-out fraud. Read more.
50,167
In this article, we explore how homeowners insurance works and what happens in the event of a house fire. Read more.
29,418
Your DTI is used by mortgage lenders to determine whether you qualify for a loan, and if so, for how much. Improve your DTI with these 16 tips. Read more.
26,464
A bankruptcy will make it very difficult to attain a home loan. These 5 tips will help you re-establish your credit quickly in order to qualify for a home loan. Read more.
21,810