Short Sales vs. Foreclosures

As a home buyer, it is important to know the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure.

During the boom time in real estate the answers were much different than today. At the peak of the market, the definition of a short sale was a property that sold the day it was listed. The term foreclosure was almost a foreign term because sellers were able to sell their homes if they were having trouble making their payments and quite frankly, there were not many.

So what exactly is a "Short Sale"?

A short sale is the process of a seller obtaining an offer on their property and then trying to convince the bank to accept less than what is due.  For example, a seller owes $250,000 on the house, but can only get $200,000. The bank has a lien on the property and this debt must be cleared in order for the house to be sold.

The difference between a short sale and a foreclosure.When considering looking at short sales or foreclosures, you must first understand that a short sale is a much more difficult property to obtain. The two are like apples and oranges when it comes to a buyer's experience.

What Makes a Foreclosure Different Than a Short Sale?

A foreclosure is a property that has already been taken over by the bank. The seller was unable to keep up with payments and simply had to relinquish the property back to the bank. Foreclosures are fairly straight-forward sales because the banks typically do not want to be "home owners"; they want to be "home loaners".

Your Time Is Valuable

When looking at a short sale property, keep in mind that you may not be able to buy it.

Ask yourself this question, "Can I put my plans on hold and wait 4 months (or even a year) for the bank to decide to accept a short sale?"

If the answer is no, then avoid short sales. If you are okay with waiting, then a short sale may prove to be a good choice if the price seems right.

Foreclosures are More Straight Forward

With bank owned homes, you can typically close quickly and the main factor to keep in mind is that many people look for foreclosures, so if you find one you like act quickly, and secondly, they are sold as-is. The sellers generally do not make repairs on the property.

We have included all of the areas short sales and foreclosures. If you need more specific explanation or would like to know what pitfalls to watch out for when pursuing these properties, feel free to let us know.

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showing 61-70 of 239

100  Rosa Gray Ln Goose Creek, SC 29445
$104,900 - 100 Rosa Gray Ln Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Holly Place
MLS#
BR1304538
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / N/A
Large 3 bedroom 2 bath home located on a large lot in Holly Place. Great investment opportunity! Needs some cosmetic work, carpet, paint, etc.

116  Farm Rd Goose Creek, SC 29445
$40,000 - 116 Farm Rd Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Pineview Acres
MLS#
1302844
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
2
Baths:
1 Full / N/A
Great little house for investment or as a starter home. Year built is estimated. Buyer to verify.

101 North Gateshead Xing Goose Creek, SC 29445
$199,000 - 101 North Gateshead Xing Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Crowfield Plantation
MLS#
BR1207589
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / 2 Half
This is the opportunity you have been waiting for.....3 bedrooms located on the greens in The Hamlets. The home features a formal living room and dining room along with a family room off the eat-in kitchen. The master bedroom has access to the screened porch and boasts a jetted tub and separate shower. The walk-in closet and large vanity are ...

300  Brickhope Ln Goose Creek, SC 29445
$170,000 - 300 Brickhope Ln Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Brickhope Greens
MLS#
BR1309410
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / 1 Half
Graceful, open plan with 4 BR, (including huge Bonus Room as 4th Bedroom), brick front and Colonial style gives this home stately curb appeal! Large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and large breakfast area, a formal dining room that provides perfect setting for holiday family dinners and entertaining, the dining and kitchen open up to...

113  Brush Blvd Goose Creek, SC 29445
$89,000 - 113 Brush Blvd Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Foxborough Town Houses
MLS#
BR1311300
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
2
Baths:
1 Full / 1 Half
Nicely maintained two bedroom 1.5 bath town home centrally located in Goose Creek convenient to Rivers Avenue and I26. Home owners has performed some upgrades on the home to include new carpet and freshly painted rooms. Upstairs master bedroom has a sliding glass door that leads to a private balcony. Great investment opportunity or for someon...

118  Ellen St Goose Creek, SC 29445
$75,000 - 118 Ellen St Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Pineview Acres
MLS#
BR1217521
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
1 Full / 1 Half
Nice, all brick home that would make a great starter home, project home or rental in the desirable Westview school district. Located directly across from a children's play park, this house features a full front porch, hardwood floors, a large fenced yard, a large patio and an attached one-car garage. The HVAC is only one year old and the owne...

195  Winding Rock Rd Goose Creek, SC 29445
$179,900 - 195 Winding Rock Rd Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Crowfield Plantation
MLS#
BR1310121
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / 1 Half
Well maintained home in Crowfield Plantation, located in the Piedmont Place section. The 3" oak hardwood floors in the foyer and hallway lead you past the formal dining room and into a large family room with fireplace. Galley kitchen with large breakfast area has plenty of cabinet space for the master chef. The electric range, dishwasher, ref...

103  Braeford Ct Goose Creek, SC 29445
$118,500 - 103 Braeford Ct Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Braemoor
MLS#
BR1305957
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / N/A
Looking for home with vaulted ceilings in a convenient Goose Creek neighborhood? If you are also looking for a large fenced backyard and want a low HOA fee, this may be the perfect home for you! Great cul-de-sac location in neighborhood. Please know that this home NEEDS WORK...IT IS NOT MOVE-IN READY but is a great deal for the right family!

218  Candleberry Cir Goose Creek, SC 29445
$135,000 - 218 Candleberry Cir Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Crowfield Plantation
MLS#
BR1227136
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
2 Full / 1 Half
BOM pending continued approval from the short sale lender. We have received short sale approval at this price, however, now that buyer has pulled out we must start over. Home needs extensive repair - great opportunity to earn sweat equity in popular Crowfield Plantation. Two story home featuring full front porch and large corner lot! Cherry w...

226  Old Savannah Dr Goose Creek, SC 29445
$219,900 - 226 Old Savannah Dr Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Liberty Hall Plantation
MLS#
BR1309506
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
3 Full / 1 Half
This is a gorgeous Charleston single located on a quiet cul-de-sac. Just a short bike ride form a park, play ground and neighborhood pool. This home boasts 4 porches with the first floor porch screened with ceiling fan. The owner's suite is located on the first floor. Dual vanities, perfect lighting, and large tub are just a few of the featur...

Broker Reciprocity The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Carolina One Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.

The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.

Copyright 2013 Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.

showing 61-70 of 239

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