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Why would a bank accept a short sale

Author

Robert Miller

Published Mar 30, 2026

Typically, the bank or lender agrees to a short sale in order to recoup a portion of the mortgage loan owed to them. … They were much more prevalent during the Great Recession, when many U.S. homeowners were “underwater” on their home loans; i.e., they owed more on their homes than the homes were worth in value.

Why would a lender approve a short sale?

Motivated sellers: The seller wants to avoid foreclosure, and the lender wants to recoup losses, so they’ll work diligently to approve a deal, which can put the buyer in a better position to negotiate the Short sale houses typically have a lower price too, since the seller and lender are prepared to take a loss on the …

Will banks accept a short sale?

While banks sometimes accept a strategic short sale, most short sales are approved based on the sellers’ financial hardship and on circumstances beyond the sellers‘ control. Don’t expect to walk away with an approved short sale and no contribution if you have assets and disposable income.

How can a bank agree to a short sale?

Gather the necessary documents for approval. Lenders typically require financial documents, such as your pay stubs, proof of unemployment, prior-year tax returns and bank statements. Proof of hardship will be required. Gather all your bills, such as medical expenses, that support the need for a short sale.

What is bank approved short sale?

When the house you want to buy has been approved for a short sale, it means that the lender holding the mortgage has agreed to sell it at price that’s less than the outstanding mortgage amount.

Is a short sale bad for the buyer?

Short sales are a mixed bag for the buyer, the seller and the lender. If you’re a seller, a short sale is likely to damage your credit — but not as badly as a foreclosure. You’ll also walk away from your home without a penny from the deal, making it difficult for you to find another place to live.

Who benefits from a short sale?

For the seller, a short sale presents less damage to his credit report than a foreclosure, and allows him to recover and buy a new house more quickly. This sense of cooperation between the seller and buyer may facilitate the exchange and get the new owner into the house more quickly.

Do banks prefer foreclosures short sales?

Banks are businesses and, just like any business, they are seeking to earn a profit. If it costs more to foreclose over agreeing to a short sale, the bank is very likely to favor the short sale. With foreclosure, a bank takes possession of the house, then resells it at a mortgage auction to the highest bidder.

Can a bank refuse a short sale?

A short sale happens when a lender sells a home for a price that doesn’t cover the mortgage plus the cost of selling the home. … Banks may reject offers when the price is low, the seller or buyer doesn’t qualify, the application is incomplete, or the loan has already been sold.

Do banks negotiate on short sales?

If your client has their heart set on purchasing a short sale property, you’re most likely in for a long process. Yes, you’ll be part of a negotiation that involves convincing the lender who holds the mortgage to sell the property for less than the mortgage balance, but that’s only one step in the process.

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Is it better to do a short sale or foreclosure?

Short sales are less damaging to a credit report than a foreclosure. A foreclosure is when a home is seized and put up for sale by the investor or bank. Every mortgage contract has a lien on the property that allows the bank to control the property if the homeowner stops making mortgage payments.

How long does it take for a bank to accept a short sale offer?

A short sale can take up to six months to be approved because many factors can slow the process down. You might be able to reduce the time it takes to be approved by asking your agent for some information before making an offer.

Is buying a short sale a good idea?

In short, short sales are a good idea if you have plenty of time and money. A short sale buyer may get the property at a reduced price, but the property (in all likelihood) has its share of problems — think “fixer-upper” — and the deal needs to go through considerable red tape to make it happen.

Can I finance a short sale?

A short sale is a foreclosure prevention method. Unlike a foreclosure, the property is still owned by the seller. … Financing a short sale is possible, provided you and the lender are willing to wait.

Can a short sale close quickly?

Short sale-offered homes can sell quickly, though lenders may take some time to approve such sales. However, lenders often want to close quickly once they approve a buyer’s short sale offer.

Do you have to pay cash for a short sale?

The short sale process is a lot like buying a home off the market. You’ll start by finding a house and getting pre–approved for financing (unless you’re paying in cash). Then you’ll make an offer, negotiate the sale, and close.

Why are short sales so difficult?

Short sales happen because the loan on the property is larger than the sale price minus all the sale expenses. … The seller’s bank must approve the sale, and this is where the big delays can happen. Banks are losing money in a short sale and aren’t too keen on it.

Can I sell a house for less than it's worth?

You can sell your house for any price a buyer agrees to pay for it, even if that price falls short of your home’s market value. However, selling your home for a price below the market value does not relieve you of your duty to satisfy any liens on the property.

Which of these lenders would be least likely to approve a short sale?

Which of these lenders would be least likely to approve a short sale? Junior lenders are least likely to approve a short sale. Because they’re in a secondary position when it comes to liens against the property, they realize that there may not be any money left to pay them after the lender in first position is paid.

How often do short sales fall through?

Even when the buyer and the seller have both signed the paperwork — indicating a binding contract — only about 40 percent of short sales ever close at all.

Can a seller make money on a short sale?

Negatives of Short Sales to a Home Seller A short sale means they won’t earn any profit from the sale of the house – the bank or mortgage lender gets all the sales proceeds.

Which is worse foreclosure or short sale?

And if you avoid owing a deficiency with a short sale, your credit scores might not take as big of a hit. But, overall, there isn’t a huge difference between foreclosure and a short sale when it comes to how much your scores will drop.

Can a bank make a profit on a foreclosure?

When your property becomes the subject of foreclosure, the bank may benefit from a profit surplus after a foreclosure is completed. For example, imagine your home was worth $300,000 when you purchased it, and you took out a mortgage loan for $225,000.

How much less can you offer on a short sale?

It’s best to strike a balance between what’s a good deal for you and what’s reasonable for the lender. A price that’s 5% to 10% below market value is typically a good number to put on the table.

Do short sales hurt your credit?

The term “short sale” does not appear in a credit report. When you negotiate a short sale, the lender is agreeing to accept less than the full amount owed on the mortgage, and will likely report the account as settled for less than the full balance. … With time, the negative impact on your credit scores will decrease.

What are the consequences of a short sale?

  • Mortgage Cancellation. A mortgage payment that is too high for a homeowner is the most common reason for listing a property at a short sale. …
  • Deficiencies. …
  • Credit Standing. …
  • Second Liens. …
  • Tax Consequences.

How do you get a short sale approved?

If the seller can show the bank that a short sale is a better option than a foreclosure, then the bank will approve it. That is typically how you get an approved short sale.

Do you make mortgage payments during a short sale?

The standard waiting period is four years for any “pre-foreclosure sale,” i.e. short sale, that requires no further payment to the lender.

Can you buy a short sale with FHA loan?

A short sale occurs as a compromise between a seller and her own lender. A seller who cannot make payments must face foreclosure or an alternative change in the loan. … However, there is little preventing a buyer from using an FHA loan to purchase a short sale house.