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5 Reasons to Embrace the Short Sale Transaction

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Broadpoint Properties Cal BRE #01324959

short saleIn 2007, I came to the forgone conclusion that short sales and listing short sales was a goldmine. That is, the short sale listing is a great source of income for any Realtor® working the distressed property market.

Here are the top 5 reasons that short sales are still a goldmine in 2012:

  1. Easy listings to take. Short sale listings are easy to take because in most cases the purchase and list price are not a big topic of conversation in the listing appointment. Since the short sale seller will not net any money (except perhaps for relocation assistance), this takes the short sale listing appointment in a different direction then in previous years.
  2. Commission is a non-issue. Since the seller does not pay the short sale commission and since the commission comes from the sale proceeds and is approved by the lender, the conversation about the commission is a moot point during the listing appointment. Back in the day (read: mid 2000s), sellers always concerned themselves with commission because it would impact their bottom line. That’s not the case anymore.
  3. Fuel Your Real Estate Career. If you are a collector of data and you keep up with your sphere, you should be able to leverage your short sale listings and closings into significant real estate business over the next several years. Seek referrals from short sale sellers for other short sale sellers, and help short sale sellers and their friends to buy in the future. Helping someone who is facing tough times will pay it forward tenfold.
  4. Outsource and create a plan. Times are tough and many agents are cash poor. If you can see past your next closing and spend your time in the field doing what you do best (listing and selling property), then you will always be putting new deals into your pipeline. Don’t waste time on decisions and activities that can be done by others. President Obama does not make trivial decisions about his meals or his attire. He focuses on other things. You should also let other people do your dirty work while you focus on creating more business.
  5. Lots more to come. According to Barclays Capital and the Wall Street Journal, at the end of May of 2012, there were 3.25 million loans in default. Do you know what that means for your business? Lots and lots of people still need your help today.

So, think big and quit fixating on the minutiae. Focus on obtaining as many short sale listings as possible. The success of closing a short sale can be a goldmine in so many different ways.

 

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Comments (21)

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Melissa, It is a market niche. It takes patience and know how and not all agents are willing to do what it takes.

Oct 04, 2012 12:13 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Melissa, very interesting post.  Having done both short sales and conventional sales, I'll take the non-short sale listing any day of the week.  Waiting for months on end to get answers from the bank and dealing with the negotiators can be a real nightmare.  We'll take a short sale listing, but we don't actively seek them out.

Oct 04, 2012 12:14 PM
John & Irma Nelson
San Antonio Real Estate Broker/Agent with Get It Sold Realty - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Real Estate Agents - San Antonio Homes

I have done some short sales in the past before I knew what i was doing and it was miserable.  The key is know the process and having some relationships in some of these banks...

Oct 04, 2012 12:46 PM
Terri Poehler
Realtor - Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Real Estate Agent

What a refreshing view on this topic. It's not everybodies thing, but you put a positive spin on it.

Oct 04, 2012 10:03 PM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Melissa - I am all about outsourcing these days and love the mailbox money that follows.

Oct 05, 2012 11:53 AM
Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

I like the fact that the seller does not care what the price is as long as the bank agrees to accept.

Oct 06, 2012 02:13 AM
Brien Berard
Remax Professionals Laurel MD - Laurel, MD
Maryland Real Estate Agents - Laurel Real Estate

Oh yea, the listing appointment is a lot of fun. However, after that its a pain in the a**!.  I outsource on any short sales I get.  Good luck to you.

Oct 06, 2012 09:53 PM
MaryKay Shumway
The Kellstrom Ray Agency, Inc. (Est. 1948) - Sister Bay, WI
Door County Wisconsin's Real Estate Expert

It's hard to work with distressed sellers being displaced.  However, there is money in the field.

Oct 06, 2012 10:27 PM
Steve Warrene
Your Town Realty - Lower Burrell, PA
Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh.

Melissa, I have a few short sales and it's alot of paperwork but they get me alot of business and calls.  The fact that we are taking a very bad house situation for the sellers and turning it into a sale for them and getting them out of their situation is so worth it.

Oct 06, 2012 10:40 PM
Jeffrey Smith
Author of 'Realtors Guide To Short Sale Success - Eustis, FL
Short Sale Education

All these reasons are in my book, "The Realtors Guide to Shortsale Success" I was a newbie at the end of 2008. I figured I had the choice of a lot of hardwork and a lot of business, or virtually no business from trying the same stuff all the other Realtors are doing. No niche is easy to master but rewards are tremendous for those that do.

Oct 06, 2012 10:47 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Melissa, I think short sales take a certain kind of agent. Your five reasons make you that agent.

Oct 06, 2012 11:25 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Melissa, I don't mind short sales like many of my colleagues, and your reasons cover most of the reasons I am willing to take them.  I love the fact that setting a price is seldom an issue.  That's one of the biggest struggle with many sellers.  Good job.

Oct 06, 2012 11:43 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Exactly same reasons why I started on this a few years ago.. .thank you for the reminder. .

Oct 07, 2012 12:27 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Melissa, all that you offer up is true, but there is also that sense of satisfaction in helping someone through a tough time. Short sales are here to stay, and the big banks are very cooperative as well.

Oct 07, 2012 01:00 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Short sales were a perfect fit for my skill set. I LOVE short sales!!

I'm going to miss them when they are gone.

Oct 07, 2012 01:23 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I'm with Broker Bryant. I love short sales, too, and I will miss them when they go away. However, I also list other homes that are not short sales, and I can tell you that what I've learned from specializing in short sales also applies to regular listings. The sales price is not that important in those, either, not when it comes right down to it. And neither is the commission. Simmer on that one.

Oct 07, 2012 01:36 AM
Tamara Inzunza
Realty One Group Capital - Alexandria, VA
Close-In Alexandria and Arlington Living

I am glad that I have invested the time to learn about short sales.  It's a blessing to be able to offer solutions to homeowners when they don't know where to turn.

Oct 07, 2012 04:00 AM
Jennifer Grace
Elk Grove, CA
Jennifer Grace

Takes a lot of patience, and the important keys are finding a short sale negotiator who will relieve the stress of dealing with the lender and a buyer who will stick with you to the end.

Oct 07, 2012 04:36 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Melissa:

Good thing that you are doing the short sales.  I don't have the patience.  But you are right, if you keep listing short sales you will keep the pipeline flowing.

Oct 07, 2012 12:41 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
Melissa - I'm working hard on number four. It's hard for me though I'm learning.
Oct 07, 2012 12:59 PM