Tips For Buying Foreclosures in Houston, Texas
Many property owners are finding that stopping foreclosures in Houston is possible thanks to a process known as a short sale. While this might not be the most ideal situation under which to sell a home, it can provide a means to avoid foreclosure and bail out of debt. It can pay for borrowers to seek lender cooperation to make a short sale possible.
Understanding A Short Sale
A short sale takes place when a lender agrees to allow a home to be sold for less than the loan amount. This is done to stop foreclosure from happening and to enable the lender to recover as much of the debt owed as possible. Not every home is eligible for a short sale and not every lender will allow one to take place. When the financials add up to the better choice for the lender, however, this process is possible.
The Benefits Of A Short Sale
Going through a short sale will undoubtedly mean that proceeds from the sale of a property will not line the owner's pockets. Still, there are some benefits. These might include:
•Stoppage of the foreclosure process. When a short sale is agreed to, many lenders put the foreclosure process on hold for a time. If not, the sale of the home will take care of this.
•Credit protection. While a short sale might result in a settlement notation showing up on credit history, this process saves the huge mark a foreclosure can leave behind.
The Downfalls Of A Short Sale
While some short sales are accepted with no strings attached by the lenders, not all are. Depending on the terms of a short sale, a borrower might find they are:
•Liable for the difference. A lender may require the homeowner to make up the difference between the sale price and the loan price.
•Liable for taxes. The IRS often sees the difference in the loan amount and the sale amount as earned income. It is possible a borrower will have to pay taxes on this amount.
Stopping foreclosures in Houston is a concern for many. Short sales do provide a way out of the situation. It can pay to pick up a phone and talk to a lender about this alternative.
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