While many lenders will have varying requirements and may demand that a borrower submit different types of documentation, the following should be treated as a guideline of what is required in a pursuing a short sale.
Contact Your Lender Immediately:
You need to make the effort to find the right person responsible for handling a potential short sale. You want to talk to person in charge of loss mitigation for the lender, you want a supervisor's name, the name of the individual capable of making these kinds of decisions.
Submit a Letter of Authorization:
Your lenders will not want to disclose any of your personal information without written authorization to do so. If you are working with a real estate agent, closing agent, Title Company or lawyer, you will receive better cooperation if you write a letter to the lender giving the lender permission to talk with those specific interested parties about your loan. You should include the following information: name, address, loan number, third party agents involved and contact information on both the agents and yourself.
A Preliminary Estimate of Your Lenders Proceeds:
A preliminary HUD-1 settlement statement that indicates the sales price you are under contract for and all the costs of sale, unpaid loan balances, outstanding payments due and late fees, including real estate commissions, if any. Your third party agent (realtor, title company or lawyer) should be able to prepare this for you. The bottom line should not indicate any net proceed to the seller.
Your Circumstances, In The Form of a Hardship Letter:
A complete description of the facts that brought you to financially challenging situation and why you have a valid reason for the lender to accept less than full payment. Lenders can understand many circumstances are unavoidable, loss of job, death, divorce, etc., but they are not very compassionate to situations involving dishonesty, misrepresentation or criminal (or criminally negligent) behavior.
A Complete Financial Statement:
Be truthful about your current financial situation and disclose your assets and liabilities. Provide information on savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks or bonds, cash, real estate or anything of tangible value. Your lender will need to be assured that you cannot pay back any shortfall in the short sale transaction.
Proof of Valuation:
Many homeowners caught by the current downturn of the real estate market have lost significant equity in their home. This should be part and parcel as to why you cannot sell your home for enough to pay off the existing lien. You need to substantiate this value to the lender through a proof of valuation. In declining value to the lender you could present a fully completed appraisal, a comparative market analysis (CMA) or a broker’s opinion of value.
Your Purchase Agreement and Listing Agreement:
The lender should want a copy of the executed offer, along with a copy of your listing agreement. Be prepared for the lender to renegotiate commissions and to refuse to allow payment of certain items such as home protection plans or seller concessions inspections.
If your package is complete, the facts are accurate and the circumstances speak for themselves, the lender will approve your short sale. Within the ongoing communications and negotiations, you should ask that the lender not report any adverse credit references to the credit reporting agencies, although they would be under no obligation to accommodate this request.
Modify Search Criteria
54 Gibbes Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
Nestled South of Broad on the corner of Gibbes Street and Rutledge Boulevard, this 1910's home offers modern convenience with historic charm and ch...
312 Ashley Drive
Summerville, SC 29485
Twin Oaks
Residential
Charming 3 bedroom framed by lush mature landscaping located in a great Summerville location with no HOA fees. Bring your toys, boat or RV, propert...
2183 Palermo Place
North Charleston, SC 29406
Otranto Club Villas
Residential
Excellent opportunity to own an updated 4BR/3BA end unit townhouse with a private fenced-in yard. This property has a unique floor plan with a moth...
303 David Court
Ladson, SC 29456
Fairlawn
Residential
Welcome to 5827 Longleaf Avenue! Nestled on a spacious third of an acre, this beautifully renovated ranch-style home in Ladson blends modern update...
4383 Sea Forest Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Windswept Villas II
Residential
Highly sought after, gorgeous, 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom Windswept villa just steps away from the beach! Beautiful end unit villa with a light, bright ...
231 Spencer Circle
Summerville, SC 29485
Shady Oaks
Residential
This newly built end unit town home is fully loaded with everything you'll need! Downstairs have a bedroom with a full size bathroom, a open floor ...
133 Nicholas Road
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Roosevelt Estates
Residential
Rare opportunity to purchase this stunning custom-built brick home in Roosevelt Estates. This home sits on a sprawling 1 acre lot offering the perf...
1307 Discovery Drive
Ladson, SC 29456
Hunters Bend
Residential
This home is a must see! Well maintained three bed two and a half bath home in the desirable neighborhood of Hunters Bend. Here you will find all t...
1805 Redhead Road
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Pimlico
Residential
Welcome to 1805 Readhead Road in the highly desirable waterfront Pimlico Community. At the end of this road you will find exactly what you've been ...
2659 Sidneys Road
Walterboro, SC 29488
Residential
Certainly! Here's a more down-to-earth, country-style description:Charming Country Home on Sidneys RdWelcome to 2659 Sidneys Rd, a beautifully buil...
136 Tupelo Bridge Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Cypress Preserve
Residential
586 Spanish Wells Road
Summerville, SC 29486
Cane Bay Plantation
Residential
The Concord is a 6 bedroom 3 bath home. One of the secondary bedrooms is on the first floor, along with a full bath. This home includes tile floors...
1227 River Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
Riverview Farms
Residential
Incredible opportunity to own a deep water dock on Penny Creek with floater and jet dock on over an acre of high land just 5 miles to downtown Char...
163 River Hill Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Back River Bend
Residential
READY THIS FALL! The Brandon is a 1,518 square-foot, two-story floorplan, with a large Kitchen that is OPEN to the SPACIOUS Dining Area, and Family...
133 Tupelo Brg Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Cypress Preserve
Residential
210 Dean Hall Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Cypress Preserve
Residential
165 River Hill Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Back River Bend
Residential
READY THIS FALL! The Brunson floor plan by D.R. Horton in Charleston, SC, is a beautifully designed home that offers a blend of comfort and style. ...
226 Clouter Creek Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
Shell Ring
Residential
Perfectly situated in desirable Shell Ring is this lovely single family residence which has just been fully renovated. The chef's dream kitchen was...
167 River Hill Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Back River Bend
Residential
READY THIS FALL! The Rachel is a 1,360 square-foot, two-story floor plan, with 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 1-car garage. The Second-Floor prim...
522 London Bridge Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Old Mt Pleasant
Residential
Welcome to the epitome of Old Village living! This adorable home is located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, within walking distance to the shoppi...
4497 Ocean Farm Drive
Summerville, SC 29485
Watson Hill
Residential
One of the most beautiful lots in Watson Hill! Gorgeous views of a pond, walking trail, and non-buildable treed wetland area beyond. The popular Su...