Short Sale Vs. Foreclosure: How Do They Compare?
Short sale vs. foreclosure is a decision that many have to weigh. Over the last few years, millions of Americans have experienced difficulty paying their mortgages and staying on top of their monthly expenses. This combined with falling housing prices and rising interest rates lead to homeowners owing more than their homes are actually worth. It is a very challenging situation and the parties involved must decide between two options: short sale vs foreclosure.
Foreclosure is a legal proceeding which allows the bank to take back the title of the mortgage from the homeowners and resell it in order to recoup for losses. In this case, the homeowners have no choice but to simply walk away from their home. They gain nothing in a foreclosure. The money they put into their home is lost and their credit score is negatively affected.
A short sale is a bank-issued discount on the balance of the mortgage due to hardship on the part of the homeowner. The homeowner then must sell the property at this discounted price and turn over proceeds to the bank. In this case, the bank takes less of a financial hit, and the homeowner’s credit history is not affected too adversely.
So how do you decide between a short sale vs. foreclosure?
Foreclosure is probably the easiest option, because the borrower simply relinquishes all control and ownership of the home, turns it over to the bank, and walks away. With a short sale, the borrower is still responsible for selling the home. This could be considered either a good or a bad thing. Most homeowners like retaining some control and knowing who will buy their home. They are also able to avoid the stigma of foreclosure.
However, they still do not benefit monetarily or otherwise from a short sale. They are still taking a loss.
One major deciding factor in short sale vs. foreclosure is the borrower’s credit history and ability to buy a new home. With foreclosure, their FICO score can drop between 200-400 points, a devastating blow that can take years to repair. They also must wait between five and seven years before they can be considered for another home loan.
With a short sale, homeowners do not experience a drop in their credit score beyond that which occurs from being behind on their mortgage payments. They also may be eligible to buy a new home within a couple of years, in some cases immediately. Overall, a short sale is not nearly as harsh on a homeowner as is a foreclosure.
Any homeowners unable to keep up with their mortgage owe it to themselves to become educated on their options concerning short sale vs. foreclosure. This is not an easy matter to handle, but with knowledge comes power.
We can help get your a loan modification, stop foreclosure and negotiate a short sale with your lender. Please visit the loan modification company for more info!