A homeowner can sell their home for less than they owe if the circumstances are right. This is called a “short” sale. Short sales are often beneficial for the seller, the buyer, and the creditor. A person can market the sale as a short sale to attract buyers. This may sound like an easy out for someone who cannot make payments, but there are negative consequences to be considered when considering a short sale as a debt relief option.
So, What Is a Short Sale?
A “short” sale of a home is when the seller sells their house for less than they owe the mortgage lender. If someone is behind on payments, they may consider this as an option to avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy. In order to be able to utilize the short sale option, the seller (debtor) must apply for permission from the bank (creditor). Why would a bank agree to this? In many situations, they can recuperate more of the owed money than they might be able to if the debtor files for bankruptcy or the home is foreclosed on.