If you have ever received a short sale approval letter, you have probably felt quite a strong thrill. All of the drama involved in negotiating a short sale, keeping the buyer and seller content, and finessing the details with the bank make the approval letter feel like a multi-million dollar win on a scratch ticket.
Unfortunately, just because you have received the short sale approval letter doesn’t mean that the deal is ‘home free.’ There is still a traditional escrow period—complete with an appraisal, an inspection, and even perhaps the obtaining of a loan. Sadly, the transaction could still fall through—even after short sale approval has been obtained.
There are many last minute hurdles to closing a short sale. Two such hurdles involve property appraisals and liens.
Property Appraisals. Sometimes after the short sale approval letter is obtained, the buyer learns that his (or her) loan appraisal is for an amount lower than the purchase price. If this happens to you, don’t give up hope. Submit a copy of the complete appraisal to the short sale lender for review. Often times, a revised approval at the appraised value is just around the corner.
New Liens. New Liens against the property or the individual often appear during the transaction period. HOA liens are commonplace in the state of California, for example. If a new lien appears and needs to be satisfied in full before closing, ask the bank to contribute to the lien. You can also ask other parties to the transaction if they would be willing to help and satisfy the lien.
The bottom line is (as you have probably heard before) “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” What this means is that with a little bit of tenacity and some strategizing, the short sale transaction will result in successful closing.
Photo: M.Markus
Related posts:
- Buying a Short Sale? Caveat Emptor
- Short Sale HUD-1 Approval Is Not Just a Formality
- Short Sale Drama Can Be Better than Nighttime Television
- Read Your Short Sale Approval Letters
- How to Actually Close a Short Sale
Article Author: Melissa ZavalaMelissa has written 66 articles for us.
Visit Melissa's Website: http://www.shortsaleexpeditor.com
Melissa Zavala is the Broker/Owner of Broadpoint Properties and Head Honcho of Short Sale Expeditor®. Before landing real estate, she had careers in education and publishing. Many folks say that Melissa is genetically pre-disposed to success with short sales. In fact, last year she and her staff obtained over 500 short sale approval letters! When she isn’t speaking with lien holders, Melissa enjoys practicing yoga, walking the dog, and vacationing at beach resorts.
Joshua Dorkin
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good article-Thank you
Melissa – Short sales can be tough to do if you don’t have the experience needed. What type of JV arrangement do you have with folks?