HIRE PROFESSIONAL SHORT SALE REAL ESTATE AND NEGOTIATION EXPERTS
You need an experienced attorney working with a team of short sale professionals who know how to contact the right department within the lender’s organization and find out exactly what their short sale package requirements are and who know how to put it together in a way that makes the decision for the lender easy. Your attorney will also be able to explain the process to you and, as importantly, to your buyer and their agent. Short Sales are complicated, not easy to negotiate, and are best dealt with by a specialized professional. Our team of real estate Short Sale attorneys and real estate professionals are experienced in this complex area and can guide you through the process as smoothly as possible to minimize the stress and headaches.
Reasons to do a Short Sale:
- You owe more to your lender than your home is worth.
- You are unable to pay your mortgage due to financial hardship.
- The lender will pay all of your Closing Costs (including real estate commissions, attorney’s fees, and all other closing costs).
- During the Short Sale process, you can remain in your home for FREE until it sells.
- Less impact on your credit than a foreclosure.
- You avoid the embarrassment of foreclosure.
- You may be eligible, under Fannie Mae guidelines, to buy another home in 2-3 years.
- You may be eligible to receive money from your lender for cooperating in the Short Sales.
What Is A Financial Hardship?
To qualify for a Short Sale, you must demonstrate that you have a financial hardship that prevents you from paying your monthly mortgage. The following are some of the financial hardships that will help you qualify for a Short Sale:
- Loss of job
- Relocation
- Loss of income
- Job Transfer
- Illness
- Divorce/Legal Separation
- Death in the family
- Renovations needed with no resources to do so
- Medical expenses
- Vacant rental properties
Required Documents and Information
- A letter authorizing your Short Sale negotiator to get information about you from your lender
- All lien holders’/Lenders’ names and contact information
- Loan account numbers and most recent mortgage statements
- A letter describing your financial hardship with proof of hardship
- Latest bank statements
- Current budget sheet, including your income and expenses
- Past two years of tax returns
- Recent pay stubs
- Other financial information as requested
Short Sale Loan Deficiencies
Generally clients are concerned about the potential liability to repay the difference between the amount owed to the Lender and the amount received by the Lender as part of the Short Sale. This amount is known as a deficiency. As part of the Short Sale process, we will negotiate with your Lender(s) to have them release you from any liability for any outstanding deficiencies. While there is no guarantee of success, many Lenders have become increasingly willing to release the homeowner from any liability for the loan deficiencies in a Short Sale.
Tax Implications of Short Sales
A home owner selling their house in a Short Sale could potentially be liable to pay taxes on the deficiency. The most common result of a Short Sale for the homeowner is that the Lender can file a 1099-C ("Cancellation of Debt Form") which may subject the homeowner to tax liability. The I.R.S. in turn will consider the debt forgiveness as income. However, recent legislation, known as the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, allows the homeowner to exclude the "income" if they qualify by filing Form 982 ("Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness") through the end of 2013. It is unclear as of now whether Congress will extend this law beyond 2013. You should contact your accountant to learn more about these potential tax implications.
Home Owners May Not Receive Any Money from a Short Sale
Homeowner's are usually forbidden by the Lender(s) from receiving any proceeds from the sale of their home. This is part of the incentive for the Lender to accept less than what they are owed. However, some Lenders are now offering financial incentives for home owners who want to do a Short Sale on their homes. Contact us to find out whether you may be eligible for these financial incentives.
Here are sample steps of a short sale:
- Seller signs a listing agreement with a real estate agent subject to selling as a Short Sale with third-party approval.
- The agent finds a buyer who makes an offer for less than the amount of the mortgage.
- Seller accepts the buyer's purchase offer.
- Seller's Lender accepts the buyer's purchase offer.
- Transaction closes when the buyer delivers the funds, the Lender releases the lien and the seller delivers the deed.
If you are in danger of a foreclosure you should consider a short sale. Please call us for a free consultation.
