Short Sale Information
For Buyers

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BUYER'S INFORMATION FORM- SHORT SALE PROPERTIES
This Buyers Disclosure for Short Sale Properties is being provided by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate L.L.C. to provide general information regarding the typical "Short Sale" transaction from a buyer’s point of view.

WHAT IS A SHORT SALE?
A short sale occurs when a property sells for a price that is insufficient to pay back the loans secured against it (or any other lens against the property, such as delinquent property taxes, Homeowners/Condominium Association fees, etc.), as well as standard sales closing costs. In order to complete such a sale, the Seller must either (1) come to the closing with sufficient cash from other sources to cover these shortfalls; or, (2) the Seller’s lender must agree to forgive all or a portion of the amounts the Seller is "short" or make other arrangements for repayment (such as execution of a promissory note). This second alternative is commonly known as a Short Sale. The Sellers lenders will generally not allow the Seller to receive any proceeds or otherwise obtain any monetary benefit as part of a Short Sale.

IS A SHORT SALE A “BETTER DEAL” THAN OTHER PROPERTIES?
Buying a property through a Short Sale may be a "good deal," but that is not always the case. First, there is no assurance that a Seller will obtain approval of the sale from the lender. Each lender has its own requirements to qualify. Most lenders will not allow the Seller to pay for repairs or credit money to a buyer for repairs, and as such, your best, and perhaps only, opportunity to purchase a Short Sale Property will be on  an "As-Is With Right to Inspect” basis (which allows you to inspect the property and cancel the contract repairs exceed an agreed upon amount). Also, lenders will typically not allow closing costs and other credits to be given to a buyer on a Short Sale. While you may consider purchasing a property that is subject to Short Sale approval, there may be other properties available through a traditional transaction which you may find better satisfies your goals.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET A SHORT SALE APPROVED?
Every Short Sale situation is different and depends upon many different factors such as the Seller’s individual circumstances, the nature of the loan(s) and other lens against the Property, and the Seller's lenders criteria and staffing. Many lenders will not even begin to review a Sellers request until a contract for sale has been executed, which may further delay the process. In addition, lenders will require the Seller to provide detailed financial information and may also perform appraisals of the property to determine whether it is in fact worth less than the outstanding mortgage amount. While some lenders are able to review Short Sale requests quicker than others, many lenders take at least 3-4 weeks, if not longer.

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY CONTRACT FOR A SHORT SALE PROPERTY?
Because the Short Sale approval process may take several weeks or longer, it is important that you include in your offer to purchase some protections that will allow you to withdraw from the transaction and consider other properties in the event that the Seller's lender does not approve a Short Sale within a specified time. Accordingly, Coldwell Banker recommends that you include the following language in all offers to purchase properties that are disclosed as "Short Sale Transactions":

This transaction involves a Short Sale and As contingent on Seller reaching approval for a Short Sale from Sellers lender(s). In the event Seller does not provide Buyer with written confirmation of such approval by _________________  20___ (“Lender’s Approval Date”, Buyer may cancel the contract by delivery of written notice of cancellation no later than five (5) days after Lender's Approval Date, and all deposits shall be refunded. If no approval is received and Buyer fails to cancel the contract under this provision, Buyer shall have waived this contingency.

This provision allows the Seller an agreed upon period of time to obtain lender approval while not keeping you in a contract indefinitely waiting on the lender to decide whether it will approve the sale. Should you have specific questions regarding how to protect your rights in connection with writing a contract for a Short Sale property, Coldwell Banker recommends that you consult with a real estate attorney.

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