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What is a Short Sale in Real Estate? A Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Redfin

A common real estate term you’ve probably seen, whether you’re buying or selling a home , is a “short sale.” A short sale home can be a good way to stretch your budget if you’re a buyer or let go of a home you can no longer afford if you’re a seller. For sellers , a short sale has to be approved in advance by the lender.

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I’m Ready to Buy a House, But Can’t Afford Much: How Do I Find Cheap Houses?

HomeLight

But be careful that you’re not getting in over your head, and make sure to still have the home inspected. “As-is” in listing descriptions is generally a clue that the home is a fixer-upper you could buy at a steal. You could lose the money you save on the home’s purchase price on repairs necessary to make the home livable.

MLS
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Buying a Fixer-Upper: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Take

Redfin

Real estate auctions are another way to find fixer-upper homes for sale. You can also look at foreclosures and short-sale properties as they’re often sold below market value. Most also require permits, inspections, and contractors. Inspection insights Carefully consider the results of any inspections you get on the house.

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How to Buy a Foreclosed Home: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Redfin

There are several types of foreclosure sales – auctions, bank-owned properties, government-owned properties, preforeclosures, and short sales. Auctions The most common type of foreclosure sale is by an auction. That means there’s no home inspection or appraisal. What is foreclosure?

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Selling a House With a Mortgage: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Redfin

From your expected sale price, subtract: The full mortgage payoff amount Real estate agent commissions Closing costs Any unpaid taxes, liens, or HOA fees Repair credits or buyer concessions What’s left is your net proceeds—the money you’ll take home, if all goes well.

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Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House with Cash in 2025?

Marco Santarelli

It's clean, simple, and almost guaranteed to close (barring inspection issues). ” Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) were still very low at 3% in March 2025. Make your offer contingent on a satisfactory inspection. The cash offer? Sellers love certainty.

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Distressed Property: What It Is And How To Invest

AAOA

Short Sales: Short sales happen when a property is sold for less than the outstanding mortgage balance, typically with the lenders permission. Websites like theMultiple Listing Service (MLS)often list foreclosures, bank-owned properties, and short sales. Online Resources: Dont underestimate online searches!