A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept less than the total amount owed on your mortgage so the property can be sold. This allows you to avoid foreclosure and take a more controlled approach to resolving the debt.
Learn more on our What Is a Short Sale page.
Qualification is typically based on financial hardship. This can include job loss, reduced income, divorce, medical expenses, or other life events that make it difficult to continue making payments.
Every situation is different, which is why a quick review can help determine your options.
See our Short Sale Overview or How to Qualify for a Short Sale guide
Not always. Some lenders will approve a short sale even if you are current on payments, as long as there is a valid financial hardship.
A short sale does impact your credit, but generally less than a foreclosure. Many homeowners are able to recover faster and may qualify to purchase again sooner compared to going through foreclosure.
Read more on Credit Impact of a Short Sale.
Most short sales take between 60 to 120 days, depending on the lender, how complete the documentation is, and how quickly responses are received during the process.
In most cases, there are no upfront costs to start a short sale. Fees are typically handled through the transaction once the property closes.
In many cases, lenders will agree to forgive the remaining balance, but this depends on the loan type, state laws, and the terms of the approval.
You can learn more in our Short Sale Overview.
Yes, most homeowners remain in the property throughout the process until the sale is completed.
A short sale is a proactive solution where you work with the lender to sell the home. Foreclosure is when the lender takes the property back due to missed payments.
For a deeper comparison, see Short Sale vs Foreclosure.
There may be tax implications depending on your situation, but there are also potential exemptions and protections available.
Read more in our Short Sale Tax Guide or Short Sale Tax Rules Explained.
Yes. Many homeowners are able to purchase again after a short sale, often sooner than if they had gone through foreclosure.
You can explore this further in Can You Buy Again After a Short Sale.
Yes. We partner with agents to manage the short sale process from start to finish, allowing them to focus on their clients while we handle the negotiations and documentation.
Visit our For Realtors section or Why Agents Choose Us page.
We manage the entire short sale process, including document preparation, lender communication, negotiation, and coordination through closing.
Learn more on Our Short Sale Services
If a short sale is not approved, we review alternative options and next steps with you. Every situation is different, and we help you understand what is available moving forward.
You can also review Your Options When Facing Foreclosure.