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Before Judging The Next Short Seller...

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Bain

In the midst of one of the busiest real estate weekends I've ever had, I spent some time with a potential short seller.  My story is short, too, because the seller deserves privacy and I'm not going into a great amount of detail.

I nearly shed a tear when I saw their home.  I thought it was staged, but it wasn't.  The care and attention to details conveyed by someone who is faced with losing almost everything tangible was moving in itself.  On top of that the seller's attitude of cooperation and helpfulness, when there is nothing self-serving to be gained from potentially expediting the loss of their home via a short sale, struck me in a way that is difficult to explain.

Many short sellers and potential short sellers I talk to and advise, impress me with their character.  This particular potential short seller has a home that I will be able to sell short successfully, all factors considered.  I know how they came to be short, and at least to a degree, the depth of the hurt that the situation has caused.  The way they are handling this situation makes me hope far more deeply for some sort of a miracle to come along for them, than for a successful sale and a commission.

There are many others.  Let's make sure they have our respect, and in extraordinary cases, our admiration for their class under the most hurtful circumstances.  I thank you for them.

Pat, Ben and Martin Mullikin
M3 Realty - Brookfield, WI

There will be lots of scars left in the wake of this financial tsunami.

Mar 28, 2010 05:45 PM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Hi David, You are right.  The vast majority of short sellers I've encountered did not want to be in their predicament.  Situations happen beyond many peoples control, most especially with our current economy.  Good points.

Mar 28, 2010 05:45 PM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

I'm with you on this David.  Hope lots of agents read this and it hits home with them, too.

Mar 28, 2010 05:46 PM
Kevin Dunlap
Trident Investments Group - Las Vegas, NV

I fully understand what you and your sellers are going through.  I deal with people who have lost their homes on a daily basis.  They are not bad people, but people caught up in a bad situation.  Sellers who have come to terms and making the home look good are a rare breed.  Best of luck to you in a successful short sale, and may your sellers become home owners again in the near future.

Mar 28, 2010 06:21 PM
Marie-Denise Kratsios
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Huntington, NY
Where ever you are, that's where I'll be!

 

I think you're clients are very fortunate to have an agent who is sensitive to their situation and who treats then respectfully. 

Mar 29, 2010 12:12 PM