For homeowners
When selling isn't straightforward.
Being behind on a mortgage, or owing more than the house would sell for, is more common than most people realise and it is not a character flaw. What it is, is time-sensitive — the options narrow the longer it is left.
We will tell you what we think your options are, including the ones that do not involve hiring us.
What the options usually are
Which of these is open to you depends on your loan, your lender and your circumstances. None of them can be promised by an agent.
Selling normally, sooner than planned
If there is equity, an ordinary sale is usually the simplest route and the one with the fewest people involved. It is worth ruling in or out before anything else.
A short sale
Selling for less than the balance owed, which the lender has to agree to. Approval is never automatic and the terms vary by lender and loan type.
Working directly with your lender
Forbearance, a repayment plan or a loan modification may be available depending on your circumstances and your loan. These are conversations with your servicer, not with us.
Free housing counselling
A HUD-approved counsellor costs nothing and is independent of any agent or lender. We will point you there whether or not you ever list with us.
What we can and cannot tell you
- We are real estate brokers. This page is general information, not legal, tax, credit or debt advice.
- No agent can stop a foreclosure, guarantee a lender will approve a short sale, or predict what will happen to your credit. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.
- A short sale needs your lender's agreement. The decision is theirs, and the timeline is largely theirs too.
- You can speak to a HUD-approved housing counsellor free of charge, independently of us, and we would encourage it. The CFPB explains the options here.
Ask a question privately
A private question
Tell us roughly where things stand.
You do not have to have decided anything. A few sentences is enough to tell us whether we can be useful.
- You pick what is closest and say as much or as little as you want.
- Barbara reads it herself and replies to you directly.
- If another route is better for you than selling, we will say so.