A Seller’s Guide to Finding a Top-Notch Short Sales Realtor®
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- Evette Zalvino Contributing AuthorCloseEvette Zalvino Contributing Author
Evette is just your average HGTV fan who dreams of having a home worthy of being on one of those shows. When she isn't writing for HomeLight, she's working at her local real estate office. In her downtime, you'll find her searching for the next great hiking trail in her area.
- Taryn Tacher Senior EditorCloseTaryn Tacher Senior Editor
Taryn Tacher is the senior editorial operations manager and senior editor for HomeLight's Resource Centers. With eight years of editorial and operations experience, she previously managed editorial operations at Contently and content partnerships at Conde Nast. Taryn holds a bachelor's from the University of Florida College of Journalism, and she's written for GQ, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Variety.
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
A short sale, where a homeowner sells their property for less than their outstanding mortgage, can be a solution for homeowners facing financial hardships. Because there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding a short sale, working with an experienced real estate agent is invaluable.
A short sale Realtor® is equipped with the specialized knowledge and experience required to guide homeowners through lender negotiations, paperwork, and potential buyers. Partnering with a short sale Realtor won’t just increase the chances of a successful transaction; it will also alleviate the stresses of a process that can often feel overwhelming.
If you decide that going the short sale route is your best option, you’ll want to work with an expert short sale real estate agent.
The short sale Realtor is not your ordinary agent
At first glance, the short sales process looks like your average transaction. You’ll find a real estate agent. They’ll then list your home, find a buyer, and negotiate the sale. But that’s where the similarities end.
Your short sale Realtor negotiates with the lending firm currently holding the property’s mortgage. The goal is to determine how much money the lender is willing to lose on the short sale. Unlike a traditional sale, the negotiation starts before the house is listed. A short sale real estate agent must get the lender’s approval to go ahead with a short sale.
Lenders want to recover as much money as they can. If the lender stands to make more money between the private mortgage insurance payout and selling the property themselves, a seller may have difficulty gaining lender approval.
This is where the short sale Realtor can flex their skills, having worked with lenders on previous short sales. As a result, they know what approach to use to hopefully persuade the lender that selling the property short would be in their best interest.
During the initial negotiations, the short sale real estate agent will ask you to put together a short sale package that explains why you’re seeking a short sale. In addition, it will include a hardship letter and your financial records for the past two years (if not more). Since you will be sharing your financial records — including any overdue and collection notices — you must hire an agent you can trust.
The problem with finding a short sale Realtor in today’s market is that short sales haven’t been widespread as of late. In mid-2022, mortgage delinquencies were up 55% compared to pre-pandemic levels, as reported by Black Knight, a mortgage technology and data provider. However, by mid-2023, serious delinquencies have dramatically declined — reaching the lowest level seen since before the Great Financial Crisis housing market peak and down 26% from July 2022.
Note: A Realtor isn’t the same as a real estate agent, though they are similar. Both a Realtor and a real estate agent are licensed by their state to handle real estate transactions. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors, whereas a real estate agent is not. Also, a Realtor almost always performs the duties of a real estate agent and a broker.
Questions to ask a short sale Realtor
On your quest to find a short sale real estate agent, you’re going to find a lot who say they are experts, but that doesn’t mean they are. Brad Wallace, a short sale expert in the Philadelphia area, says that finding an agent with demonstrable expertise in short sales is key for sellers.
When interviewing agents to find the short sale expert who best knows how to navigate this complex financial ordeal, ask these questions:
Q: What is your short sale experience?
Wallace advises, “You want to make sure that they have done short sales.” An expert in short sales should be able to show proof of their experience. Ask to see their current short sale listings in the MLS and how many short sales they’ve closed within the past 12 months. If they can’t show you proof or they haven’t closed many deals recently, you might want to keep them on standby.
With that said, you shouldn’t place too much weight on recent experience because short sales haven’t been commonplace as of late.
If you interview agents that haven’t had many short sales recently, ask about their short sale history from 2008 to the mid-2010s. Remember to ask them if they’ve stayed up-to-date with current short sale regulations, both federally and locally.
Q: Have you completed any short sales with my particular lender? (If so, how many?)
Although it’s helpful if the short sale agent you hire has experience dealing with your particular lender, it isn’t a deal-breaker. However, it is beneficial if they have because your agent may have good working relations with your lender’s short sale processors, which can help your transaction go smoothly.
If your property has more than one lien or loan holder, ask the agent about their experience working with each one. You’ll also want to ask the prospective agent about their history of dealing with short sales with more than one mortgage or lender.
It doesn’t hurt to ask to speak with previous clients who have had successful short sales with the agent.
Q: Do you have short sale training, certification, or licensing?
An agent may have experience dealing with short sales, but it’s always helpful and reassuring to know they have training for complex transactions like short sales. Agents may have completed NAR’s (National Association of Realtors®) Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource Certification (SFR), or they may have become Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE).
There’s also the option of consulting a housing counselor through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to learn more about an agent you’re interviewing.
Building your short sale dream team
When selling your house the traditional way, the real estate agent you hire is the only one advocating for you. However, when going through a short sale, you’ll need a couple more people on your team. So along with your short sale Realtor, you might want to hire a short sale attorney and short sale negotiator. They should have a real estate license, a mortgage loan originator license, or a debt-management company registration.
Having a short sale attorney on your team can help your real estate agent navigate the legal complexities and regulations regarding short sales. In addition, by having a negotiator on your team, they may be able to help you come out of the short sale as financially sound as possible.
Once you’ve hired a short sale Realtor who you feel confident working with, they’ll be able to recommend whether or not you should consider adding an attorney or negotiator to your team. It all depends on your particular circumstance. If you hire an agent with a lot of short sales experience, they may even have an in-house team to help out.
Not only will a licensed Realtor with short sale expertise help you come out of this difficult time as well off as possible, but they can also help you avoid scams or questionable offers that target people in your position. In addition, they’ll also be able to advise you on how to prepare for getting another mortgage after going through a short sale.
Dealing with a serious financial challenge like a short sale can leave you feeling drained and defeated, but hiring a short sale Realtor can help you navigate the ordeal as painlessly as possible.
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Short sale Realtor FAQs
A short sale occurs when a homeowner sells their property for less than the outstanding mortgage balance. It differs from a traditional sale because the proceeds may not cover the full loan amount. Homeowners typically pursue short sales when facing financial hardship or when the home’s value has decreased significantly.
A Realtor experienced in short sales is crucial because they understand the complex process, have relationships with lenders, and can help navigate negotiations. Look for a Realtor with a proven track record in handling short sales, strong communication skills, and a network of professionals, including attorneys and financial advisors, to assist throughout the process.
Not everyone qualifies for a short sale. Eligibility criteria often include financial hardship, an insurmountable difference between the home’s market value and the mortgage balance, and the lender’s approval.
The short sale process involves listing the property, finding a buyer, and negotiating with the lender to accept a lower payoff. It can be lengthy and depends on the lender’s responsiveness and the complexity of the case. Short sales typically take several months to complete, but the timeline can vary widely.
Benefits of a short sale include avoiding foreclosure, reducing the impact on your credit compared to foreclosure, and potentially negotiating forgiveness of the remaining debt. Drawbacks may include a hit to your credit score, the stress of the process, and the need to provide extensive financial documentation to the lender.