New Forex Trading Strategy

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Insider Short Sales Information

By Arnulfo Snider

When the value of your home is less than the amount that you owe on your loan, you should consider a short sale. For the sake of argument we'll say that your home is worth 350,000 and you owe 360,000 then a short sale would be a good option to pursue. However, if you don't have to immediately sell your home then you could always wait and see what happens in the real estate market.

If this is not the case then you have 3 options to choose from. One, is to bring money to the table. Say you sell your home for a $10,000 deficit, you would have to come up with that money immediately for the bank. The second choice is to let you property go into foreclosure. Your bank will foreclose on your home and evict you from the premises. They will sell your home to highest bidder at a foreclosure or Trustee's auction. Your third choice is to pursue a short sale. A short sale involves contacting a specialist who will negotiate with the lender on your behalf. The specialist will explain your situation and ask the bank to take less than the value of your home for payment.

For example, you are have a buyer at 340,000 and your loan is for 350,000, then you would have to explain to the bank that there aren't any buyers interested in paying a higher price for your home. You can pursue a short sale only when the bank agrees to take the lesser amount for your home.In some instances banks will accept a short sale even before someone has made an offer on your house. You can then advertise your property at the lesser amount to make it easier to find a buyer.

One of the great things about a short sale is that they are not complicated, but there is some effort involved on behalf of you and your short sales specialist.

You have to find the exact value you property is worth in this market. Market analysis is key to finding out what your property is going to sell for. Your real estate agent, or short sale specialist will complete this on your behalf. You can also use the Internet to help you in this process, there are many real estate sites that you can compare listings to help you determine the value of your home. Keep in mind that the market is fluid, meaning that it constantly adjusts based on many factors. The price you can advertise for today may be different in a month for now.

Figuring out the closing costs is also important. Items such as a title report, escrow, appraisal, attorney fees, agent commissions, unpaid property taxes etc. may add up to a substantial amount of money.

You have to find out the exact amount of money you owe on your home, include all loans you may have taken out on the property.

Calculate your equity. In a regular case your closing costs and loan should be less than the total value your property is worth. When the opposite is true you can then pursue a short sale.

Be sure you talk to someone who has the authority to make the required decisions. Loss mitigation department at your bank is usually the first step. Lenders do not have to accept your short sale, but most of the time they do because it is in their best interest. Some banks will not take a short sale unless you are behind on your monthly installments. Your lender may not accept short sales so contact them a soon as possible to find out.

Understand where you stand with taxes. Do not underestimate this! Many times there can be a substantial tax obligation after a short sale has occurred. Make sure you talk to your accountant or short sales specialist to calculate your tax before going with a short sale. - 23305

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