Definition:

A short sale is an "arrangement" between the current owner of a home and the bank that lent them the money to buy their home to accept an offer for less than the total amount owed to pay off the home. The "deficiency" is the difference between the amount owed and what the bank collects at the short sale.

Although, the "arrangement" can take many different forms, there is no other definition of a short sale. I say this because many realtors and some investors simply throw the term around as if it meant "a sale under market value." No. A bank owned (foreclosed) house is not a short sale. A seller deciding to lower their price and take less profit is not a short sale. An old lady that owns her home free and clear, selling a $150k home for $75k, IS NOT A SHORT SALE. For it to be a Short Sale, someone must be getting "shorted." Either the seller, or the bank.

Another important definition of a short sale is how it differs from foreclosure. In foreclosure, the homeowner falls way behind on their payments and the bank repossesses the house and sells it. In almost all cases, THE BANK PURSUES THE HOMEOWNER FOR THE DEFICIENCY!!! (please consult with your lender on this). The only way to get out of paying that "deficiency" is to file bankruptcy, unless your lender does not come after you or your state is a non-recourse state!

NEVER EVER ASSUME THAT A DEBT THAT YOU OWE A LENDER IS GONE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE DETAILS OF THE RELEASE OF THAT DEBT IN WRITING!

If you're curious about selling your house as a short sale, you should contact your lender and get information in writing. It's usually not easy, and hardly ever will truly "win." But in some cases, it can leave you much better off than the alternative of foreclosure and bankruptcy.

IF YOU ARE THINKGING ABOUT SHORT-SELLING YOUR PROPERTY

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