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Short Sales – Why Does the Lien Holder Ask for Lots of Items?

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist 2003008108

I hear this a lot from clients. It is very hard to slog through all the requests. They seem endless! But there is a reason for most of them, they aren't all pointless. I like Melissa's comments. I hope they help you understand the process somewhat better if you are working on a short sale.

Original content by Melissa Zavala Cal BRE #01324959

 

Short Sale SellerI recently had a short sale seller who asked me why the bank requests so much stuff. This seller wanted to know why he had to submit tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs in order to participate in a short sale transaction.

First off, I think it is always important to keep in mind that all short sales are subject to lender approval. The bank is NOT required to allow a seller to participate in a short sale—just because.

As part of the short sale package that the bank requires in order to review a borrower for a short sale, most lenders require pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns. Why? Well, the bank wants to confirm that there is a verifiable hardship, which puts the seller in a situation where s/he cannot afford the property any longer.

Banks often also run the short sale seller’s credit report, so the bank employees will know if the borrower is current on all other debts.

I’ve seen short sale sellers who state that they do not have a bank account. Then, they provide a copy of their paystubs, which are direct-deposited into a bank account. Don’t try to “pull the wool” over the mortgage lender’s eyes. Between running the credit, checking the pay stubs, and reviewing the tax return, the lender will know whether the short sale seller has a verifiable hardship that will qualify the seller to participate in a short sale transaction.

What’s the best way to get the short sale approved quickly? Cooperation. Providing accurate documentation in a timely manner will assure that the short sale gets approved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

 

Photo: flickr creative commons by LollyKnit

 

Broker, Realtor®
DRE #01324959
Broadpoint Properties, Inc
San Diego County Short Sale Specialists
Short Sale Expeditor®

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Posted by

Dawn Maloney, REALTOR®,  Luxury Home Marketing  RE/MAX Haven Realty

Direct:  (330) 990-4236         Email: dawn@dawnsold.com

Helping home buyers and sellers in Summit, Portage, Stark, Medina, Wayne, Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga Counties since 2003.

All content ©2006-2014 by Dawn Maloney, REALTOR® unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Comments (3)

Alicia Mendoza
Realty ONE Group Inc. - Irvine, CA

Thanks for sharing this again with us.  Most of the short sale homeowners that I've worked with pretty much understand that they have to supply a lot of paperwork; many have tried to do a loan modification first, so they've just accepted the fact that all those items need to be collected.  I usually don't hear them asking, "Why?" as much as hearing, "Do I have to send ALL 3 pages of my bank statement, or just the first page?"

I completely agree with cooperation being the key.  I've received a lot of positive feedback from negotiators who respect the fact that complete short sale packages are submitted.  It is this "kind persistence" that I believe has allowed for these short sales to get approved in a more reasonable time frame.

Thanks again and good luck to all who embark on the short sale listing journey!

Dec 27, 2010 04:30 PM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Dawn: Thanks so much for reblogging my post. I'm trying to write a few posts on common questions for that challenge, and the request for additional and/or updated documentation seems to frustrate folks. Hence, the post.

Dec 28, 2010 03:41 AM
Dawn Maloney
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio

Alicia, I hear why from clients who are already overwhelmed and thinking of walking away in frustration. Most of the time, my clients are very willing to help get the sale done, too.

Melissa, I thought it was a good post for my short salers - they get tired of doing the same thing over and over...and over...LOL!

Dec 28, 2010 03:54 AM