What is a Short Sale?

A short sale happens when a lender agrees to take less than the full loan payoff for an owner’s property. In most cases, the owner is in default and is not making their payments for whatever reason.

Short sales, in most circumstances, are the first step to avoid foreclosure. Although the lender(s) will recover less than the total loan amount in a short sale, they may prefer this in lieu of foreclosure. The costs of foreclosing on a property may be more than the bank’s loss by taking a short sale. Also, the property may not sell at auction and then the bank would be forced to take it back as an REO (Real Estate Owned) property, which then they would have to maintain, list and sell themselves.

What is a Foreclosure?

Foreclosure is the process whereby the lender takes possession of the property.

When a home owner fails to make the payments on his/her mortgage, the lender can begin foreclosure proceedings. This is a very specific legal process with set timelines and outcomes. In a Short Sale situation, the home owner’s name is still on title of the property and they are the official owners who are trying to sell the property. In a foreclosure, the lender takes possession of the house and as a result, the homeowner is no longer a party in the sale.

What is an REO (Real Estate Owned property)?

If no one purchases the property at the Trustee Sale, then the home becomes an REO property, owned by the bank. The main reason homes don’t sell in a Trustee Sale is because it doesn’t work out to be a good investment for a potential real estate investor.

A home that has been “foreclosed” and has become a bank owned property can then be listed by a Realtor who is hired by the bank to market and sell the property. To sell the house as quickly as possible the lender will remove any liens on title, and clear any other issues that may slow down the sale of the property. Generally, lenders are very motivated to sell these properties, as they are in the business of lending money, not owning real estate. REO’s tie up their capital reserves and hamper their ability to lend money. Also, the management of these properties can become very costly. This is the best opportunity to find a good deal.

If you need help, and would like to discuss your foreclosure or short sale options, please contact the Tello Team at 954-237-0608 or shortsale@telloteam.com . We’re here for you, and will help you decide the right option for your needs!