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Selling St Louis Short Sale Homes


What is a 'Short Sale?'

A Short Sale takes place when homes are sold for less than the bank payoff, and the home seller does not have the funds to make up the difference.  

Contrary to the ideas of some, when any home with a mortgage is sold, the note that secures the deed of trust must be released by the bank.  This is an industry way of saying, THE BANK HAS TO GET THEIR MONEY.   If the sale is for less than the loan payoff, and the seller can't bring enough money to closing to pay the loan off, then a short sale must take place.   

The Opportunity for Seller's

To start the process of short selling a home, home owners need to contact a Realtor that regularly handles short sales.  Protocol varies with each bank with one exception:  they all pay Realtor commissions.  Having a Realtor actively consulting short sale sellers through the process is essential.

Not all home sellers qualify for short sales, and different banks have different criteria.  Some banks require that the homeowner must be behind in payments, others do not.  The typical process goes as follows:

  • Request Hardship Packet -- some banks don't send the hardship packet until an offer is received, others will send the hardship packet instructions.
  • Write hardship letter -- letter describes what hardship exists and why the seller must sell.
  • Market home as short sale, price it low and try to attract a buyer quickly
  • Sign 3rd Party Authorization Form allowing your Short Sale Realtor to communicate with the bank.
  • Submit offer, hardship letter, hardship application, preliminary HUD1, and 3rd Party Authorization to bank for consideration.
  • Wait, Wait, Wait, Wait and Wait some more
  • Bank sends approval or rejection letter.
  • Comply with terms of approval letter and close the deal  -OR- if rejected, solicit better offer from buyer or place back on market for new buyer.

To be successful, each step in the process usually requires a great deal of work and persuasion to keep the bank, seller and buyer together.  That is why an experienced agent is needed that understands the process and has the negotiation skills necessary.  Some deals have a seperate short sale negotiator involved in addition to the listing agent.  

Highest Priced Short Sales

$174,900
3 Beds 2 Baths 26033111 MLS ACTIVE Status
Seller has just started SHORT SALE with lien holder. Not yet an approved short sale. Bring your reasonable offers. Great opportunity for investor or family looking for an affordable 3BR, 2BA ranch to update and make their own. Home has a 2-car rear entry garage and a .28-acre lot with partially fenced backyard that backs up to trees for added privacy. Property is Being sold as-is; seller will not do any inspections nor make repairs. Mostly what is needed to enjoy your new home would be painting on main level, updated flooring where needed, and some minor repairs. Wood floors are in excellent shape and can easily look better and if you want to refinish them. Kitchen and baths could be updated. The lower level has been framed out and... finishing the job can be done at your own pace... to turn the bsmt into an awesome lower-level family room. Plus, there is a rough-in for a 3rd full bath in the bsmt that also needs to be finished (or removed at less cost if not needed). HANDYMAN HAS BID $1600 TO REMOVE ALL FRAMING, ELECTRIC AND BATH FIXTURES IN THE BASEMENT. There's an entry foyer that adjoins a spacious living room and leads the kitchen area with a breakfast bar and breakfast room where glass sliding doors lead to the rear entry garage with opener. The driveway can serve as a great area to entertain and have your barbeques, or for someone making a workshop out of the garage and wants some privacy. There's an extra fenced-in area behind garage for a garden or a pet. The 100amp breaker box is newer. Overland occupancy inspection will not be ordered by seller. Sidewalk in front of home. Backs to Norman Myers Park. Great central location.

2295 Woodgrass Dr, St Louis

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