June 15, 2008

What is "Financial Hardship", and why is it so important?

What is "Financial Hardship", and why is it so important?

"Financial Hardship" is a critical part of the short sale equation. No matter what you hear about banks "not in the business of owning real estate", etc., they DO NOT give homeowners a break easily. They require GOOD REASON to give a discount for a short sale. They have entire departments called "Loss Mitigation", which means their entire job is to reduce the loss the bank takes on a bad loan. Giving big discounts to sellers increases the loss on a bad loan, so they don't take it lightly.



The ONLY reason a lender will agree to a short sale is if they determine that the short sale will net the more money that proceeding with the foreclosure. Understanding the homeowner's financial hardship is a big part of the lender estimating whether they will be paid in full for the mortgage.

IF THERE IS NOT A LEGITIMATE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, A LENDER WILL NOT SHORT SALE EVEN IF THE HOME IS WORTH LESS THAN THE MORTGAGE BALANCE. Quite simply, the lender will make the borrower pay the shortfall if there is no hardship.

Many homeowners try to use a short sale as a "get out of jail free" card to dump their poor investment. Lenders will not allow this and it is a waste of time to try. If you are employed and have some assets, but you have simply lost value on your home and want to sell, YOU PROBABLY CANNOT SHORT SALE. If you are current on your mortgage, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHORT SALE. Lenders need to see that you simply cannot pay them back before they will short sale.

For The Pahua Group to try to short sale your home, you need to demonstrate a Financial Hardship or be in default on your mortgage. If you don't have one of these, we will not attempt a short sale.

To see if we might be able to handle your short sale call (949) 309-2400, or e-mail us at Info@PGcoastal.com.

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