Banks all require that you provide them with a certain set of documents in a Short Sale package. The following are the documents that most banks all require before they entertain a Short Sale

1.) A hardship letter from the homeowner outlining what is causing missed payments and what the homeowner has done to try to change the situation.

The letter should start with a brief identification of the property, the loan number and a sincere apology for the situation.

Then the homeowner should tell in their own words exactly what caused the missed payments. Extensive medical bills? Job loss? Did the homeowner retire, cutting income substantially? Has an adjustable rate loan readjusted? Is the home underwater on its mortgage? Has the homeowner been transferred to another part of the country and the home is not selling? All of these are valid hardships that can be explained in a letter to the Lender’s Loss Mitigation Department.

Also include a description of any efforts the homeowner has made to resolve the problem. Has a new job been found? Have they eliminated all discretionary spending?

2.) Everyone who contributes to the household income should submit their two most recent pay stubs. This can be payment from an annuity, child support, alimony, and any commission income from the last few months.

3.) The bank will also want to see profit and loss statements and balance sheets from any business the homeowner might own.

4.) In order to get an idea of the homeowner’s spending habits, the bank will want to see your last two months’ bank statements. If the homeowner has a lot of credit card debt, they might be able to get a debt counselor to work with the Lenders to restructure the debt to have lower interest rates and monthly payments or forgive some of the debt altogether.

5.) Tax returns from the previous two years. The bank wants to see these so they can get an idea of the homeowner’s financial security as well as their ability to make good on their debts. This also comes in handy for the bank because they can see if the homeowner has any resources that the lender can tap into if they foreclose on the property and decide to pursue a deficiency judgment against the homeowner.

6.) The bank also wants to see a realistic budget for the homeowner. If the homeowner’s budget is $300 above or below balanced on average, they might be able to restructure their finances if they prefer to save the house.

7.) The bank will also want to see a listing agreement with an asking price. The listing should include the agents normal commission as well as standard closing costs. In almost every case, Lenders will pay closing costs and commissions to agents if they approve a Short Sale.

8.) Your offer. You should also provide the bank with your power of attorney that gives you the ability to negotiate with the bank and list the property with a real estate agent on the owner’s behalf. If you don’t have the documents, you won’t be able to do these types of deals.

9.) Power of Attorney. You must have an authorization form giving you or your negotiator permission to talk to the Lender. This is actually the first document that you should obtain from the homeowner so that you can obtain any special instructions from the Lender before the Short Sale package is submitted.

Just collect these documents and you are well on your way to getting a short sale done!

Learn more about short sale investing. Stop by Bob Massey’s site where you can find out all about how to do a short sale and what they can do for your lifestyle!

We live in a difficult world, and the financial world may be the most difficult place of all. Even in good times, it can often be hard to make ends meet. So when trouble strikes, it can be tough to know what to do, but whether your income troubles are due to accident, student loan, unexpected medical bills, or unemployment, you have options to prevent you from losing your house. These are your first steps.

1. Look carefully at the cause of your debts. What is really causing your inability to pay your debts? There may be something you can do about that, perhaps take a second job or apply for assistance. Especially in the case of student loans there are many different avenues to acquire government or other assistance. You should also take a look at your spending habits, and make sure there is nothing to fix there.

2. Talk with your Lender. Remember, the bank never wants your property; it is worth far more to you than it is to them. The person who is in the best position to give you some sort of help is your lender. You should come clean with the causes of your debt and inability to repay, and then see if they can offer you a debt repayment plan or some other form of bankruptcy alternative.

3. Pay overdue amounts. If you can, pay all of your loans with very high interest rates first. This might include credit card debt or any other overdue balances which have extremely high interest rates. You could look into a consolidation loan or other avenues to get this done. Doing this will also inspire in you that you have the ability to pay your debts, and it will give your lender confidence that you are willing and able to repay.

4. Learn about your rights and your options. As an indebted person, you have several rights that you should know about. Right now, go to ftc.gov and check out the fair debt collection act, it gives you protection from much of the harassing you may already be receiving from creditors. There are also several different programs that can help you with a debt payment plan or some other option. Many of these charge heavy fees, so be careful to research and select the best plan for you.

5. Contact a debt counselor. A debt counselor is somebody who can give you lots of information, and help you set up a payment plan. Many states offer a free debt counseling service to help protect residents. Make sure your debt counselor isn’t trying to sell you anything; this is a key that he doesn’t have your best interests in mind.

6. Don’t fall for foreclosure scams. There are literally thousands of people who are ready to take advantage of your position. Don’t fall for it. Whatever you do, don’t sign your property over to a third party. Take your time, shop around for a reputable company, and make the best decision for you.

Remember, all is not lost. Whatever happens, you’ll be free and clear in a few years.

Are you in financial trouble and looking for the best advice? We’re here to provide free, high-quality information to you. Don’t make any deals with your creditors until you’ve educated yourself. We will show you how to find the best debt relief strategy for you.