Every realtor who makes short sales a part of their real estate business concentration and is successful...has to be compassionate in our opinion. There is sleep lost, tears shed, hugs given....meals shared....it is difficult to imagine the range of emotions a seller goes through when they finally face losing their home and all other options have been explored. It is imperative that the seller be "on board" with the entire process...here is an example of how not to be a short sale seller:
We recently were referred to a Short Sale seller who had a whole list of things we were to do, not do, when and how….whoops ! 
First of all...she refused to clean up the house so that we could have pictures taken. She had promised us a number of times…and each time we got close to the date…there was an excuse for why it couldn’t be done….the rain prevented a rummage sale…she had to work late…(for 6 weeks ?) she had to “go away” on weekends….and so it went.
Next….we were not to tell anyone that the mortgage had gone unpaid. Pardon ? We gave you the materials, we explained the process, we told you it had to be listed as a short sale in MLS. We won’t put a short sale sign in the yard, that’s not our style…from the outside it will look just like every other traditional listing. The showing agent has to know…the buyers have to know…you have known that from the beginning.
No one can show the house unless she is home…oh not. No buyer, no agent “doesn’t mind” if you are there for a showing….everyone minds whether they say so or not.
If you are...or could be a short sale seller...know that the agent is putting time, money and effort toward saving you from foreclosure and it will be months before they are paid for their efforts. Agents do it of course to make money...but they do it because they have a real concern and understanding of the housing market, a love of the community and a caring spirit.
If you have a short sale listing…make sure your seller(s) understand the process….and if they aren’t willing to cooperate…they will come up short and your best course of action is not to list a property without a seller who is willing to be a part of your short sale team to win a victory over foreclosure.
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