27 Documents Needed For a Short Sale

One of the most important elements in a short sale14. Authorization to Release Form : You need this
is putting together a complete short sale packet.initial document. If you do not get this signed you
Without it your file will not even be opened, let alonecan't speak to the bank at all.
reviewed. Listed below are the documents you need15. Homeowners Financial Worksheet: This should be
in order to gather the information to complete avery comprehensive. I have developed a 4 page
successful short sale packet.worksheet that lenders will appreciate.
The number one reason a short sale is delayed is due16. Damage and Repair Photo Notes: If the property
to not providing all the information the lenderneeds repair this will influence the bank. You should
requests to process a short sale. The file will sitsupply the repair estimate with pictures and general
abandoned until all the documents are received. Thiscontractor estimates that the normal homeowner
is another reason why Loss Mitigation Departmentswould pay for these items...not necessarily our costs.
are responsible for handling 200 or more files a17. Property History View
month. Borrowers submit incomplete packets and the18. Estimated Carrying Cost
loss mitigation put their file at the bottom of the pile.19. Market Statistics
To avoid this costly and sometimes fatal error,20. Listing History
review the checklist below. It may be helpful next21. Comps
time you are submitting your file to the lender. Some22. Marketing Photo Notes
of the items below are for your records only, but23. Price Change Log
necessary in obtaining all the information you need24. Repairs and Property Damage Form
for your Short Sale Lender Packet.Checklists
Here are the 27 documents you need:25. Homeowner's Document Checklist
Typical26. BPO Appointment Checklist: You may have
1. Bank Statementlearned how critical it is that we influence the BPO.
2. Bank StubsThe lender will hire an appraiser or a realtor to go to
3. Listing Agreementthe house and determine the value of that property.
4. Tax ReturnsMake sure you are the contact person who meets
5. Paycheck Stubsthem at the house and lets them in.
6. Buyers Approval Letter27. HUDS: The HUD-1 Net Sheet shows how the
7. Purchase and Sale Contractmoney is to be dispersed at closing. The lender looks
8. Preliminary Closing Statementfor recognizable and unacceptable red flags, such as:
Lettersexcessive commissions in this transaction, any cash
9. Short Sale Disclosuregoing to seller etc. Make sure you understand how
10. Escrow Letterthe HUD is supposed to be prepared.
11. Cover Letter: This is the introductory letter thatObviously short sales are more difficult than your
you send along with your package outlining theaverage buy/sell, but if agents want to maintain or
transaction to the lender. Each lender would receivegrow a successful business, learning how to work a
their own proposal.short sale is vital. It's not going away anytime soon.
12. Hardship Letter: The Hardship Letter should explainWe still have another huge hurtle when the
how the seller got into financial trouble and mustadjustable rate mortgages flex their muscle in the
convey the basic message that the seller can't makecoming years.
payments AND does not foresee any way that theyRemember that every short sale is different, and will
will ever again be able to make any payments.have different guidelines, but if you use this list as a
Disclosuresguideline you should quickly, easily and accurately be
13. Short Sale Disclosureable to complete a short sale packet, and have the
Formslender review your file.