What does a short sale involve?

A short sale involves selling a property for less than the outstanding mortgage balance, but crucially it requires the approval of the lender. This process typically occurs when a homeowner is facing financial hardship and cannot maintain their mortgage payments, leading them to seek a way to sell the property without going through foreclosure. In a short sale, the lender agrees to accept less than what is owed on the mortgage as the property is sold, facilitating a solution for both the homeowner and the lender.

While selling a property for market value may be a common scenario in real estate transactions, it does not capture the essence of a short sale. Additionally, selling to avoid foreclosure describes a broader concept that includes short sales but doesn’t define the specific mechanism that a short sale employs. Selling at auction is an entirely different process that typically occurs when a property is foreclosed, rather than the negotiated sale that happens in a short sale situation.