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Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention
Sale pending sign in front of a modest suburban home

Short Sale

Sell for less than you owe — with the lender's blessing.

See If This Fits My Situation

How it works

  1. 01Hardship packageSimilar to a modification application: hardship letter, financials, and a listing at market price.
  2. 02Offer and approvalWhen an offer arrives, the lender reviews it against their own valuation. Negotiating deficiency waiver language into the approval letter is the critical step.
  3. 03CloseThe lender releases the lien for the agreed proceeds; you move without a foreclosure sale on your record.

Advantages

  • Exit without a completed foreclosure
  • Deficiency often waived (get it in writing)
  • Shorter wait to buy again — often 2–3 years vs. up to 7 after foreclosure
  • Relocation assistance is sometimes negotiable

Trade-offs

  • Lender approval required and can be slow
  • Still a negative credit event (less severe than foreclosure)
  • Possible tax on forgiven debt — talk to a tax professional

Best for

  • Owing more than the home's value
  • Hardship makes keeping impossible
  • Avoiding a foreclosure on your record
FAQ

Short Sale questions

Will I still owe money after a short sale?

Only if the approval letter doesn't waive the deficiency. Many states restrict deficiency collection after short sales, and waivers are commonly negotiated — never close without the waiver language reviewed.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Results depend on your lender, loan, and state. Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention charges no upfront fees; free HUD counseling is available at 800-569-4287.

Next step

See if short sale fits your situation

Answer a few quick questions and a specialist will rank every option for your exact circumstances — this one included.

  • Foreclosure specialists, no pressure
  • Every option explained in plain English
  • Free consultation — no upfront fees

See your options

Free & confidential · foreclosure specialists

Step 1 of 50%

Start with your home address.

Let's see your options

Your information is secure and private.

Takes less than 30 seconds · Free review · No obligation

Homeowner reviews

Trusted by homeowners like you

Real stories from families we've helped face foreclosure with a plan.

“They explained every option without pressuring me toward any of them. First time in months I felt in control.”
JJessica T.Homeowner · TX
“Three months behind and panicking. The specialist got my servicer on a modification review within the week.”
VVictoria L.Homeowner · FL
“I finally understood what the letters from the bank actually meant. Plain English, real deadlines, real options.”
BBradley O.Homeowner · CO
“The consultation was actually free — no upfront fees, no bait and switch. Just straight answers.”
SShannon M.Homeowner · AZ
“We kept the house. Payment came down, missed payments moved to the back of the loan. Life-changing.”
JJose R.Homeowner · CA
“I chose to sell, and they helped me do it on my schedule instead of the auction's. Kept my equity.”
MMarcus D.Homeowner · GA
“Had an auction date 5 weeks out and still found a path. Don't assume it's too late — call.”
PPriya N.Homeowner · NY
“After my husband's surgery we fell behind fast. Forbearance gave us room to breathe and catch up.”
KKaren S.Homeowner · NC
“No judgment, no scripts. They'd clearly helped a hundred people in my exact situation.”
TTom B.Homeowner · OH
“The repayment plan let us catch up a little each month. No lump sum, no losing the house.”
AAisha R.Homeowner · IL
“One phone call replaced weeks of panic-googling. I knew my state's timeline and my real deadlines.”
DDaniel K.Homeowner · WA
“They answered on a Saturday and treated it like the emergency it felt like. Forever grateful.”
EEthan W.Homeowner · MI
“They explained every option without pressuring me toward any of them. First time in months I felt in control.”
JJessica T.Homeowner · TX
“Three months behind and panicking. The specialist got my servicer on a modification review within the week.”
VVictoria L.Homeowner · FL
“I finally understood what the letters from the bank actually meant. Plain English, real deadlines, real options.”
BBradley O.Homeowner · CO
“The consultation was actually free — no upfront fees, no bait and switch. Just straight answers.”
SShannon M.Homeowner · AZ
“We kept the house. Payment came down, missed payments moved to the back of the loan. Life-changing.”
JJose R.Homeowner · CA
“I chose to sell, and they helped me do it on my schedule instead of the auction's. Kept my equity.”
MMarcus D.Homeowner · GA
“Had an auction date 5 weeks out and still found a path. Don't assume it's too late — call.”
PPriya N.Homeowner · NY
“After my husband's surgery we fell behind fast. Forbearance gave us room to breathe and catch up.”
KKaren S.Homeowner · NC
“No judgment, no scripts. They'd clearly helped a hundred people in my exact situation.”
TTom B.Homeowner · OH
“The repayment plan let us catch up a little each month. No lump sum, no losing the house.”
AAisha R.Homeowner · IL
“One phone call replaced weeks of panic-googling. I knew my state's timeline and my real deadlines.”
DDaniel K.Homeowner · WA
“They answered on a Saturday and treated it like the emergency it felt like. Forever grateful.”
EEthan W.Homeowner · MI
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