The Advantages of Buying a Short Sale

Posted on: October 17th, 2011 by jenmatt No Comments

In Madison,  buyers have the option of buying new and foreclosed properties, as well as short sales. This can be a lengthy process but with the right realtor, you could end up with the home of your dreams for a very competitive price!

Short sales bring many distinct advantages to the table that foreclosures simply do not. Attractive selling prices, better conditions, access to information about the home and a quicker overall process are some of the chief benefits of buying a short sale; learn more below.

Competitive Price

Although it is not always the case, many short sales come along with competitive low price tags. Since the bank is already agreeing to take a loss on the home, the asking price is usually far below market value. Without a doubt, competitive prices are the most-cited reasons for investors to look into short sales.  By becoming well-versed in how the short sale process works, investors can make some very good deals on such transactions.

Better Condition

Investors who have purchased many foreclosures in the past are all too familiar with the mess that is often left behind with such properties. Disgruntled homeowners often trash their homes before banks officially take possession of them; in turn, investors must spend considerable amounts of time and money on repairs in order to make such properties marketable. Since homeowners are involved in the short sale process themselves, the odds that they will ransack their own homes is much lower. Instead of having to move out in an unhappy hurry, sellers usually stick around to see the process through – and they keep their homes in much better shape.

More Information

Buying a foreclosed home from a bank often leaves a lot of blank spaces for investors to face. After all, the bank hasn’t been living in the house – it was merely supplying the financing for it. There is no personal connection there, so the investor cannot get information about the home’s unique history. With a short sale, though, an investor can usually still pick the brains of the seller in order to find out less tangible – but still vital – information about the house.

Less Negotiation

When a bank tries to market a foreclosure, it still has the tendency to haggle back and forth with potential buyers. After all, the foreclosure process has cost the bank a lot of money that it would like to recoup. During the short sale process, though, most of the heavy-hitting negotiating occurs before the investor even enters the picture. The bank and the seller come to an agreement about what the property’s asking price will be. While this may leave less “wiggle room” for an investor, it also spares him the sometimes arduous experience of going through a long, drawn-out negotiation phase.

Investors Can Benefit from the Short Sale Process

Although the advantages and benefits of a short sale may not be readily apparent to an investor, the truth is that they are very real. It is important to bear in mind, though, that not all short sales bring these benefits to the table. Investors should take their time while investigating short sales in their local areas in order to find the ones that have the most reasonable terms. Finding a short sale that will allow for exceptional profitability is perfectly possible – investors simply need to do a little homework before delving into the process.

There is a lot to think about when purchasing a home, and a short sale can be more confusing than a standard home for sale.  What questions or concerns do you have about short sales, don’t be shy that is why we are here! Contact us to find out if buying a short sale is right for you!

 

 

 

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Are Short Sales Getting Easier?

Posted on: September 28th, 2011 by jenmatt No Comments

It is not always easy to complete a short sale (which is where the lender agrees to accept less than the mortgage amount due on the sale of a property by a seller). However, there is mounting evidence that the banks are seriously favoring short sales over the option of foreclosure. Here is the evidence that has led us to this conclusion.

Banks Net More Money on a Short Sale

RealtyTrac’s latest data tells us that a short sale sells at approximately a 10% discount. A foreclosure sells at approximately a 35% discount. Obviously, the bank will net more by agreeing to short sale than they would by bringing the home to foreclosure.

Banks Are Beginning To Pay Short Sale ‘Bonuses’

In a recent article, HousingWire reported on a new program being instituted by CitiMortgage an affiliate of Citigroup:

CitiMortgage, is paying borrowers an average $12,000 after completing a short sale this year.

Justin Rand, the senior vice president of loss mitigation at the bank, said servicers are putting more of an emphasis on streamlining the process and pursuing a short sale ahead of foreclosure.

There is no better proof that some banks prefer a short sale than the fact that they are paying bonuses to homeowners who pick that option.

The Numbers Already Show an Increase in Short Sales

In the same article mentioned above, CitiMortgage said the percentage of troubled loans that now go to short sale route have quadrupled (4% to 16%) in the last two years.

And in a separate article, Bank of America reported they completed over 95,000 short sales in 2010 which more than doubles the number in 2009. BofA also reported that they completed more short sales than it sold previously foreclosed homes every month for the last year and a half. Last month (May), BofA completed roughly 9,000 short sales compared to 7,000 foreclosures sold.

Bottom Line

There are many advantages to a short sale over a foreclosure for the seller (they get to plan their move, there is less embarrassment with friends and neighbors, the negative impact on their future ability to purchase is much less severe). Luckily, it now seems that the banks also think it is in their best interest to pursue a short sale.

 

 

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Common Misconceptions of a Short Sale

Posted on: August 17th, 2011 by jenmatt No Comments

Short sales are common in the current Madison, Wisconsin real estate market. Some homeowners are confused about short sales though due to myths they’ve heard about them. Below are some of the top misconceptions people have about short sales.

  • Short sales can take up to a year to close. This is simply not true. It can take 7-10 days for the lender to acknowledge receipt of the complete short sale package, which consists of personal seller documents and related real estate items, including the buyer’s short sale offer. Once a negotiator is assigned it can take an additional 30 to 45 days for a BPO or appraisal. After this has been completed it usually takes another 2 to 3 weeks for management / investor review and short sale approval.
  • If you purchase a short sale, you will end up paying too much. Wrong again. Some listing agents may set a short sale below market value as a tactic used to attract multiple offers. Remember that a listed price on a short sale is fabricated, because you won’t know how much a bank will accept until the offer is submitted. However, most banks will consider a price at a minimum of 90% of market value.
  • Lenders of a short sale won’t accept a discounted payoff. Nope! Many sellers are often surprised to learn that in markets where prices have fallen over a 5-year-period, a home might be worth 50% or less of its original value when the seller bought it. Lenders know about these declining markets and will do their own research about value and typically come to the same conclusion. The value of the home is not based on the amount of the mortgage; it’s based on recent comparable sales.
  • Short Sale Sellers Must Be in Default Before the Bank Will Approve a Short Sale. Not always a requirement. The lender will approve a short sale based on the seller’s hardship and the value of the home. Many sellers may struggle to make the monthly mortgage payment, but have not fallen behind in their payments. It is true that sellers in default receive immediate attention, but a seller can also pay a mortgage payment on time each and every month and still qualify for a short sale.

Taking the Short Sale Option

Posted on: August 8th, 2011 by jenmatt No Comments

If you’re facing foreclosure and think it’s best to remain in your home until the bank yanks it away from you, think again! This is definitely not the best move. A much better alternative is a short sale, which is an agreement between you and your lender to sell your home for less than you owe. There’s no guarantee that your lender will let you avoid foreclosure with a short sale, but new government regulations are aimed at encouraging lenders to do so.

Short sales get government incentives

Although short sales are not hassle-free, at least you’ve got the government backing you. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program provides financial incentives for lenders and borrowers to avoid foreclosure through short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosures.

Participation in the HAFA program requires adherence to guidelines—including a standard process and minimum timeframes—that speed the process, says Dallas-based REALTOR® Tom Branch, co-author of Avoiding Foreclosure: The Field Guide to Short Sales. The HAFA program is for homeowners who can’t keep their homes with the help of a loan modification.

Advantages of a short sale

  • You can be a homeowner again more quickly with a short sale in your past than with a foreclosure. New Fannie Mae guidelines help you qualify for a new mortgage in as little as two years after a short sale, as opposed to three years or more after a foreclosure.
  • You will have more time to make relocation plans and save money than with a deed in lieu. A short sale may take four to 12 months. A deed in lieu of foreclosure arrangement typically requires you vacate your home within 30 to 60 days of signing, according to real estate attorney Lance Churchill.
  • You can receive up to $3,000 from your lender for moving expenses at the time of closing of a HAFA short sale or a HAFA deed in lieu of foreclosure. Relocation funds are part of the incentives of HAFA, but not necessarily for other short sale or deed in lieu programs of the lenders.
  • You can help your community’s home values. Because the lender often receives a higher amount of the remaining loan balance than it would from the sale of a home after a foreclosure, short sales help support home values in the surrounding community.

Disadvantages of a short sale

  • Your credit score will take a severe hit. But that would happen anyway with a foreclosure. Fair Isaac, creator of the FICO score, says foreclosure and short sales have virtually identical impacts on your credit score. VantageScore—a company that has created a credit score model for consumers—says a short sale will lead to only a marginally lighter hit when compared with foreclosure.
  • You may owe additional taxes. In the past, if your outstanding mortgage was $100,000 and your lender accepted a short-sale purchase offer of $90,000, you were liable for income tax on the forgiven $10,000, says Harlan D. Platt, economist and professor of finance at Northeastern University in Boston. However, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which runs through 2012, generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence in some circumstances. Full relief is available only if the amount of forgiven debt doesn’t exceed the debt that was used to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a principal residence. Consult a tax professional and an attorney to minimize or avoid this liability.
  • In some states, your lender may still be able to come after you for the difference between the short sale price and the amount needed to pay off the mortgage. Your actual agreement with your lender and state and local laws and regulations spell out the details. Consult a tax professional and an attorney to minimize or avoid this liability.

How to proceed with a short sale

  • Find a qualified REALTOR® experienced in short sales. Short sales are tough to navigate, and they’re further complicated by your loan type—FHA vs. Veterans Administration vs. conventional loans. Real estate agents who specialize in short sales will know the proper steps and order of the steps involved. They’ll also be able to navigate the many parties involved in the process and over-burdened loss mitigation departments. Look especially for agents who have Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) Certification, which requires specialized training.
  • Gather evidence to support your need for a short sale as opposed to a foreclosure. You’ll need to prove that you have little or no equity in your home, you’re behind on your payments, and you’re no longer able to afford your home. You’ll need to write a hardship letter to the lender describing your circumstances, such as a divorce, job loss, illness, death, or other event that has impacted your income.

A short sale can be a time-consuming process, but if you can avoid foreclosure, it’s worth it in the long run.

 

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Are You Considering a Short Sale?

Posted on: July 27th, 2011 by jenmatt No Comments

Are your mortgage payments getting harder and harder to make? Have you considered a loan modification or a short sale?  These may be decisions you must make and you will have to choose one or the other, as you cannot do both at the same time. Even if you are turned down for a loan modification, you are still eligible to apply for a short sale. Actually being turned down for a loan modification may work in your favor on a short sale application, as it will show you made an effort to not strategically default to get out from under the loan.

A strategic default is a borrower’s plan to stop making payments on the debt and simply walk away. If your financials show that you still have the ability to pay your mortgage but are choosing not to then you are not likely to get approved for a short sale.

You cannot pursue a loan modification and a short sale at the same time. Lenders won’t allow you to hedge your bets on a dual strategy. You must take a look at your current and future financial situation and make hard decisions about your abilities to pay your mortgage and stay in your home.

To be able to get a short sale approved, you will have to show proof of financial hardship. Your mortgage lender will evaluate your short sale application based on your current financial situation and then will find what works best for your bank.  If you make a decision to sell short, consult with your real estate professional or an attorney that is familiar with short sales in order to guide you through the process so that you understand the best route to follow.

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