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 222

288  Okehampton Goose Creek, SC 29445
$123,000 - 288 Okehampton Goose Creek, Sc 29445 @ Devon Forest
MLS#
BR1310781
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
2 Full / 1 Half
Located in Goose Creek close to shopping...this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. This home has a ton of potential! Home features wood floors on the first floor. There is a fireplace and a separate dining room off the kitchen which also features an eat-in space. Out in the backyard, there is a deck leading to an above ground pool....

422  Pelican Flight Drive Dewees Island, SC 29451
$695,000 - 422 Pelican Flight Drive Dewees Island, Sc 29451 @ Dewees Island
MLS#
BR1304490
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
4 Full / 1 Half
HUGE PRICE REDUCTION. WAS $795,000. NOW $695,000 Prime location with views over Lake Timicau to the Atlantic Ocean as well as over the lake to the Intracoastal. From the Widows Walk , unsurpassed wrap around views of the island are yours to enjoy. Guest suite with full bath connected to the house by a breezeway. Square footage includes the se...

103  Cedar Grove Dr North Charleston, SC 29420
$65,000 - 103 Cedar Grove Dr North Charleston, Sc 29420 @ Dorchester Manor
MLS#
BR1302370
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
4 Full / N/A
THE BANK APPROVED THIS PRICE. THIS IS A SHORT-SALE. BRICK DUPLEX WITH 2 FULL BATHS ON EACH SIDE. SMALL COVERED PATIOS AND LAUNDRY ROOM STORAGE UNITS. UNIT A IS IN FAIRLY GOOD SHAPE. UNIT B WILL NEED SOME WORK. FENCED CORNER LOT. GOOD RENTAL HISTORY.

2604  Ferrara Charleston, SC 29405
$42,500 - 2604 Ferrara Charleston, Sc 29405 @ Dorchester Terrace
MLS#
BR1302851
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
1 Full / N/A
The home is 3 bedroom,1 bath. Has Hardwood floors but needs refinishing. House needs a little TLC but has potential.The house has central electric heat & air. Possible Short Sale. If square footage is important - MEASURE

612  Hildebrand Dr Bonneau, SC 29431
$350,000 - 612 Hildebrand Dr Bonneau, Sc 29431 @ Dubois
MLS#
BR1314713
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
3 Full / 1 Half
LAKEFRONT HOME! CHECK OUT THE SUNSET! DOCK AND BOAT RAMP IN BACKYARD! LARGE SUNROOM WITH THERMAL WINDOWS TO ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE LAKE AND IS CARPETED AND AIR CONDITIONED. THE LARGE FAMILY ROOM HAS OAK FLOORING. THE SPACIOUS KITCHEN HAS A LARGE EAT-IN AREA. LOTS OF CABINET AND COUNTER SPACE. THERE IS ALSO A SEPARATE DINING ROOM. THERE ARE TWO...

3229  Cottonfield Dr Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
$740,000 - 3229 Cottonfield Dr Mount Pleasant, Sc 29466 @ Dunes West
MLS#
BR1306474
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
5
Baths:
4 Full / 1 Half
Spacious home situated on 1.1 acre lot on Toomer Creek. Dock with floater and in ground pool. Large living room with fireplace and 18 foot ceilings. There is a formal dining room and study. Spacious kitchen with breakfast area. Spacious family area off kitchen. Spacious deck off living room and family area. Screen porch off kitchen. Lender ow...

3125  Grass Marsh Dr Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
$445,000 - 3125 Grass Marsh Dr Mount Pleasant, Sc 29466 @ Dunes West
MLS#
BR1209342
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
4
Baths:
3 Full / 1 Half
Popular open floor plan with a large kitchen and great room. Formal dining and living room. Screen porch opens to an expansive deck overlooking the private fenced backyard. All 4 bedrooms are upstairs as well as a large bonus/playroom. Great space and neighborhood for a family. Lender paid closings costs of 0.50% of the loan amount, redeemabl...

402  Sarah St Walterboro, SC 29488
$137,000 - 402 Sarah St Walterboro, Sc 29488 @ Eagles Nest
MLS#
BR1217691
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
2
Baths:
2 Full / N/A
MAKE AN OFFER! Great home at a great price! Very close to the hospital, where walking trails are available! This home is in wonderful condition with a BRAND NEW ROOF installed in 2009! THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR ADDING A 3RD BEDROOM OVER THE GARAGE (MANY HOMES IN THIS SUBDIVISION HAVE DONE THIS!) This home features a larger than average kitchen w...

269  Alexandra Dr Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
$125,000 - 269 Alexandra Dr Mount Pleasant, Sc 29464 @ East Bridge Town Lofts
MLS#
BR1308885
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
2
Baths:
2 Full / N/A
Alexandra: This charming upstairs 2 bedroom 2 bath condo has been updated in the last few years with new cabinets and wood flooring in living room. It is in walking distance to Waterfront Park and the Ravenel Bridge. Wood burning fireplace in the living room and extra storage is located on the private patio. This complex has a multitude of am...

110  Wall St Moncks Corner, SC 29461
$44,500 - 110 Wall St Moncks Corner, Sc 29461 @ Eastside
MLS#
BR1228380
Class:
Residential
Status:
Active
Beds:
3
Baths:
1 Full / 1 Half
This property is now under auction terms. . There is not a set minimum starting bid. This auction property is subject to a buyer's premium fee of 5%. It may be subject to a reserve price. this brick 3 bed 1.5 bath needs a new owner. this home would make a great first home or an investment that needs TLC. this home is is a foreclosure and is b...

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 222

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