As seller’s are finally beginning to slip into acceptance that the market has truly shifted and understand competition to sell their home is fierce, other homeowners are coming to the realization that they owe too much to list their home competitively. Many are homeowners who found the low payments associated with Option ARM and negative amortization loans attractive or simply refinanced when the market was at its peak.
As sale prices come down in our neighborhood, homeowners are finding themselves “upside down”, and those with Option ARMs are now in a position where fixed payments have come to an end. Today’s payment is more often than not, too high for the homeowner to afford. In most cases, refinancing is not an option for homeowners faced with the discovery that their home is not worth what they were told it was worth as recently as 12 months ago.
Many turn to a REALTOR® who shares neighborhood comparables and the unfortunate news that their home won’t sell for enough to pay all of the fees and real estate commissions. The seller turns away, feeling as though there are no options. Some may even try to sell their home on their own. They put up a “For Sale by Owner” sign and wait. Eventually, after months of effort, many are faced with inevitable foreclosure. There are, on the other hand, alternatives.
Banks are faced with 90 percent more foreclosures than just a year ago according to RealtyTrac, a real estate data firm. For this reason, many are willing to settle debts owed by homeowners through “Short Sales.” A “short sale” occurs when a homeowner sells their property for less than what is owed on the mortgage(s). The lender in turn accepts the lesser payment as payment in full. The seller receives no money from the sale of the home and the lender does not report as a foreclosure to the credit bureau.
A short sale benefits the homeowner as foreclosure can affect credit scores by 100-120 points for 7-10 years, while a short sale could affect the credit score by about 40-50 points. Homeowners who agree to a “short sale” settlement with their lender should be aware that the lender may send the seller a 1099 at tax time for the amount of the loan that was ”forgiven”. Homeowners should consult with a tax consultant as to their options.
To qualify for a short sale, homeowners must demonstrate a hardship and be financially insolvent. The homeowner should be able to demonstrate inability to make the loan payment. Market Value will be less than the loan or combined loan amounts owed. Most importantly, homeowners must be willing to cooperate with the process.
Short Sales offer buyers, who in many cases, couldn’t afford to buy a home just a year ago, an opportunity to get a great deal in a buyers’ market. In most cases, short sale listings are listed lower than similar properties. Buyers should know that the process can take much longer than usual, and often buyers will have to be patient for several weeks before their offer is even reviewed by the lenders. However, for the patient buyer, the reward is a great home at a great price. Buyers should know that short sale terms often require them to accept the property “as-is”.
The Parsons Group offers both buyers and sellers assistance with short sales. Liz Parsons offers free confidential consultations to homeowners to determine if they may be eligible for a “short sale”. There are no upfront fees when homeowners list their “short sale” listing with The Parsons Group, and homeowners can expect the same level of customer service guaranteed to all of Liz’s clients.
Buyers can be sure, that Liz and her staff have access to available home information and will help find the best deals out there and negotiate the best price and terms possible. Once the ideal property is found, homebuyers can be confident with the assurance that they are working with a REALTOR® who has worked on the other side of the “short-sale” process.
To contact The Parsons Group for your confidential consultation today, call Liz at (703) 656-4358.