The advantages and disadvantages of buying a short sale home
As a buyer, you may be able to get a home for less than its appraised value. The main downside of buying and selling a short sale home is that the deal often falls through. The seller's lender may not agree to list it as short sale.
What is the downside of a short sale on a home?
Pros and Cons of a Short Sale
Short sales come with fewer legal disclosures than a typical home sale. There is more paperwork involved in a short sale. Short sales can damage the seller's credit rating, but less than a foreclosure.
What are the pros and cons of a short sale?
There are some advantages to purchasing a short sale.
- Sellers are motivated to work with you.
- You can get a bargain.
- You get more out of your budget.
- You have major equity potential.
- Short sales are in better condition than foreclosures.
- You can get an inspection.
- There's less competition.
- You won't save that much money.
Can you negotiate price on short sale?
The Bottom Line. Buying a short sale can offer lucrative opportunities for real estate investors. If you have been asking “Can you negotiate a short sale price?” you now have the answer. It's entirely possible as long as you understand the short sale process and follow the right strategies.
Who benefits from a short sale?
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Short Sale
Short sales allow a homeowner to dispose of a property that is losing value. Although they do not recoup the costs of their mortgage, a short sale allows a buyer to escape foreclosure, which can be much more damaging to their credit score.
Can you put an offer on a house that is contingent?
If you're interested in a property that's listed with an active contingent status, you may still be able to make an offer. While the initial offer will take precedence if all the contingencies are satisfied, making an offer can put you at the head of the line if the original deal falls through.





Let's talk buying vs. renting a home for a minute.
— Thomas Frank (@TomFrankly) July 16, 2023
I see a lot of people fly into blind rage when @ramit suggests buying a home might not always be the best decision.
I even see personal finance creators getting mad about this.
For the record, I've purchased two homes. Sold…
Can a seller accept another offer while contingent?
Contingency with a kick-out clause
That means the seller can continue to show the home and accept offers during the sale contingency period. If the seller gets a better offer, they'll allow the original buyer 72 hours to drop the sale contingency and proceed with the deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't sellers like contingent offers?
If you spot an offer that's contingent upon the buyer selling their property, you should seriously consider passing it up. If you're reliant on two buyers getting financing and getting to closing, the chances are just too high your sale will be derailed.
What is the meaning of short sale?
Short selling involves borrowing a security whose price you think is going to fall from your brokerage and selling it on the open market. Your plan is to then buy the same stock back later, hopefully for a lower price than you initially sold it for, and pocket the difference after repaying the initial loan.
Why would a house be contingent?
If a listing is marked as contingent, it means that the sellers have accepted an offer and the property is now in escrow.
FAQ
- What is the purpose of a short sale of a home?
- Since a short sale generally costs the lender less than a foreclosure, it can be a viable way for a lender to minimize its losses. A short sale can also be the best option for a homeowners who are “upside down” on mortgages because a short sale may not hurt their credit history as much as a foreclosure.
- What does a contingent real estate listing mean
- Contingent means “depending on certain circumstances.” In real estate, when a house is listed as contingent, it means that an offer has been made and accepted,