Short Sale Deficiency Judgment

A real estate short sale is a circumstance in which the sum obtained through a property sale is less than what’s outstanding on the home loan, based to Lawyers.com. The owner of real estate is said to be”under water” when the value of this property is significantly less than the outstanding mortgage. In California, along with other jurisdictions, a mortgage creditor has the right to obtain a deficiency judgment for the difference between the outstanding loan balance and the amount applied to the mortgage through short sale profits.

Function

Laws regarding mortgage loans permit a lender to file a court case in the county in which the real estate is situated to find a judgment from a property owner for any outstanding loan balance. Even though the borrower has the right to defend herself in this circumstance, the creditor need only establish a valid mortgage loan arrangement and an outstanding balance to obtain a deficiency judgment.

Time Frame

A lawsuit filed to obtain a judgment for a deficiency judgment doesn’t include the notification requirements and waiting periods related to foreclosure cases in California and other states. Rather, a litigation seeking this type of judgment is a standard civil situation, which profits in a significantly shorter period of time.

Misconceptions

A recurring misconception is that a debtor averts a lack judgment by surrendering the home to the creditor rather than pursuing a short sale. The fact is that the creditor can seek a judgment for the deficiency between the loan balance and the cost the financial institution obtains through a sale or market.

Prevention/Solution

A deficiency judgment could be avoided if the home owner obtains a particular arrangement with the lender in advance of pursuing a short sale, according to”California Real Estate Finance” by Roger Bernhardt, Daniel Bogart, Dan Schechter and Stephen W. Dyer. Many creditors agree to waive any deficiency between the loan balance and the profits from the short sale. Lenders agree to the class because allowing a short sale with a lack waiver is less expensive than chasing a foreclosure situation against you.

Expert Assistance

Knowing the particular legal requirements associated with a short sale, having an eye to avoiding a lack judgment, necessitates an understanding of real estate and mortgage law in addition to court process. A celebration considering a short sale likely is served consulting a lawyer before beginning the process. The State Bar of California and the American Bar Association maintain resources created to help in finding a suitable lawyer.

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