Is A Short Sale For Me?

A short sale is a real estate transaction in which the bank or lender agrees to let the homeowners sell their home for less than their loan balance. In some cases, the sellers don't need to pay back the difference between what they owe and the proceeds of the sale.
 Recent changes in the industry have streamlined the short sale process, making this sort of transaction a popular alternative for both buyers and sellers. Additionally, banks are much more interested in facilitating short sales and avoiding foreclosures that result in placing the properties back on their books.
Who benefits from a short sale?

In many cases, short sales present a proverbial "win-win" situation. Here's how:
Sellers avoid foreclosure and protect their credit from the harder hit of foreclosure.
Buyers receive a good price on the home.
Lenders avoid a costly foreclosure. The potential loss from a foreclosure is typically higher than a loss from a short sale.
 
How it works
Say you owe $200,000 on your home and can no longer make the mortgage payments. One option is to refinance your home and secure a lower payment based on a longer-term or better interest rate. But if your property has lost value due to local market conditions (say it would sell for only $150,000), refinancing isn't feasible. If the bank agrees to a sale at $150,000, it's called a short sale.
 Although short sales have become more common in recent years, banks don't always grant them. In general, they approve short sales in these situations:

  • Seller has a hardship (such as divorce, bankruptcy, unemployment, job relocation).
  •  
  • Seller owes more on the mortgage than the home's current market value.
  •  
  • A mortgage is in or near default status.
  •  
  • Seller has no assets.
  •  
  • However, different banks and lenders have different requirements. So sellers should discuss the short sale option with their lender.
  •  
  • Short sales can present a great deal for buyers. But the process is a bit more complicated than a normal home purchase, and it will take patience.

Get In Touch

Local Expert Updates

Greg Sheeler

Cell: 712.330.1573

Matt Lippon

Cell: 712.330.0604

Community Updates

New Testament Baptist Church

New Testament Baptist Church in Spirit Lake

New Testament Baptist Church
2105 Gary Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Services
Sunday at 11 a.m and 6 p.m.
Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Spirit Lake

Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis Park in Spirit Lake

Kiwanis Park
1100 23rd St
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Close to the schools, Fareway Grocery and the bike trails, Kiwanis park offers a Shelter house, access to the bike trail system, good playground equipment, especially for younger kids, grills, park benches, picnic tables and has handicap-accessible restroomsKiwanis Park
1100 23rd St
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Close to the schools, Fareway Grocery and the bike trails, Kiwanis park offers a Shelter house, access to the bike trail system, good playground equipment, especially for younger kids, grills, park benches, picnic tables and has handicap-accessible restrooms

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake Fellowship Church of the Open Bible

Spirit Lake Fellowship Church of the Open Bible in Spirit Lake

Spirit Life Fellowship Church of the Open Bible
2504 Enterprise Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Services
Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Real Estate and MLS Homes For Sale in Spirit Lake

Subscribe To Our Newsletter