I have listed two new short sale homes this weekend. One is just shy of $1 million, the other is around $200,000. One is in lower Westchester County, the other is in central Dutchess County. One is almost 3000 square feet, the other is closer to 1300 square feet. Although it doesn’t sound likely, the two clients have a great deal in common.
- Both are responsible and hard working
- Both are frugal and fiscally conservative in their management of money
- Both are college educated professionals
- Neither fits the profile of an irresponsible foreclosure candidate
- Both are mortified at their situation, feel alone, and under considerable stress.
What is different about many short sales in the current market is that due to job loss, loss of income, or something else completely not related to their responsible behavior, otherwise good and accountable people are finding themselves needing to sell and not having the equity to cover their costs. These were not sub prime borrowers. They are stable. One had his business fail due to the recession, and the other has lost income. This is unfamiliar territory for both, because they have always watched their Ps and Qs and never overextended their credit.
In both cases, I have let them know that they are not alone, and that they are actually smart for getting proactive and contacting me. In both cases, I will get them out from under their upside down mortgage and get their short sale approved. They will not owe the lender anything after they close. They will get a fresh start. I will keep a roof over their head and help them repair their credit over time. In 2 years after they sell, if they want, I’ll help them buy another house.
The money is not the worst part of a short sale. No one starves or has no clothes. The worst part is the stress. Address the stress or find someone to help, and you’ll be lucid enough to help yourself. That goes for Scarsdale. And Chappaqua. And Yonkers. And New Rochelle. Everywhere.
