A short sale is an agreed upon sales transaction that occurs when the value of a home falls below the amount outstanding on the mortgage loan. For example, suppose a property was purchased for $400,000 and the buyer secured financing for $350,000. If the value of the property drops to $320,000, the buyer is “upside down.” He owes more than the home is worth.
In such cases, the current buyer can approach the lender and negotiate the sale of the property for an amount less than the outstanding loan. If the lender consents as an alternative to foreclosing, the property is prepared for a short sale.
New buyers are attracted to these properties because they initially seem like a bargain. In reality, there are many reasons to avoid them.
Tip 1 – Long Wait With An Uncertain Outcome
As the housing market began to crumble a few years ago, lenders’ portfolios of short sale candidates started to grow. As a result, a backlog formed and quickly grew worse; lenders found themselves overwhelmed with the number of “troubled” properties on their books. Few deals received adequate attention.
For this reason, it’s not uncommon to move forward with a potential purchase only to watch the transaction languish for months. Many realtors refuse to pursue these properties.
Tip 2 – Phantom Equity
A common mistake on the part of short sale buyers is to presume a home that has declined in value has built-in equity. This is a fallacy based on a misunderstanding of market values.
Using our earlier example, it would be a mistake – a costly one at that – to presume the home has $80,000 ($400,000 less $320,000) in built-in equity. The equity evaporated with the decline in market price.
Tip 3 – Additional Expenses Before Purchase
Most of these homes for sale are listed on an “as is” basis. The lender, in agreeing to accept a lower offer than the amount outstanding on the loan, is rarely willing to pay for repairs, inspections, and certifications. That means you will need to pay for termite inspections, roofing repairs, a home warranty, and other costs typically handled by the seller.
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