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Short Sales and How Do You Handle It?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

When you hear hear the words, "Short Sale", what comes to mind?  I have found that most realtors don't even want to think about a short sale.  Personally, I welcome the challenge.  Each short sale is different of course.  Every mortgage company is different and each person from the mortgage company is different. 

It's unfortunate that most people that work in the loss mitigation department feel like the realtors are annoying them by calling them on a daily basis.   What they can't seem to grasp is that if we could just get one phone call...like, yes Ms. Shamburger, we got your fax.  Just acknowledge the fact you got it.  Also, it cracks me up that they can't give out a phone number or an email address.  It is like a top secret place, that no one can penetrate.

Ultimately, everyone is after the same thing...the buyer's want the house, the seller's want the house sold, the realtors want their clients to be happy, and the mortgage company would rather have a short sale than a foreclosure.  However, until you the realtor gets the approval on the contract, it's like you are fighting a losing battle. 

I always feel so bad when I don't have any information for the other parties involved.  I guess most people don't understand that you have to have a lot of patience when dealing with a short sale.  It could take up to 90 days just to get the contract looked at.  There are so many short sales now, that most mortgage companies don't have enough employees to handle all the paperwork.

If the buyer can be patient, along with their realtor...they are usually getting a very good deal on the property.  Once the mortgage company's board approves the contract the process speeds up considerably.  It's just that first little part. 

Let me know what you think about short sales and how you handle them.  I would love to hear it.

Comments (3)

Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
Apri, I totally agree. Some agents treat others like that also. Not returning phone calls. I just do not understand. Licensing class needs to teach communication 101 class to get a license.
Jan 01, 2008 02:14 PM
Jen Hudson
Windermere Real Estate/M2, LLC - Stanwood, WA
Stanwood, Camano & Arlington, WA
I welcome the challenge.  Ultimately, you're helping the people who really need your help and that makes me feel good at the end of the day.  Even if it takes months.
Jan 01, 2008 02:17 PM
April Shamburger
Keller Williams Realty - Burleson, TX
Exactly, that is how I feel.  I am doing a short sale now that the seller's have had their house for sale for one year.  Someone else had the listing before me, but the price was way too high.  I am hoping everything works out because my clients could really use this. 
Jan 01, 2008 02:21 PM