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Mortgage Glossary

Short Sale

Defined by Onias Derilus, Mortgage Capital · NMLS# 1859012 · Florida licensed mortgage broker

A short sale is a sale in which the lender agrees to accept less than the mortgage balance to release the lien.

What Short Sale means

It requires lender approval and can take months. Sellers avoid foreclosure while buyers may find value, though properties sell as-is and timelines are unpredictable.

Florida example

A Florida owner who owes $320,000 on a home now worth $290,000 negotiates a short sale with the lender. The buyer gets a deal, but should expect delays waiting for lender sign-off.

What it is

A short sale is when a lender agrees to let a home sell for less than the mortgage balance. It helps an owner avoid foreclosure.

The lender must approve the price and the loss.

What buyers should know

Short sales can be good deals but often take longer to close. Patience and the right guidance help.

We help buyers navigate short sales in Florida. Reach out and we will guide you through the process.

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Official resources

Verify the details for your own situation against these government and agency sources: CFPB Owning a Home guide and HUD homebuyer resources.

Related Mortgage Terms

Streamline RefinanceA streamline refinance is a simplified refinance for existing government loans, with reduced documentation and often no new appraisal.Subordinate FinancingSubordinate financing is any loan that ranks behind your first mortgage. A second mortgage is one example. It gets paid after the first loan.SubprimeSubprime refers to mortgages offered to borrowers with weaker credit, usually carrying higher interest rates and fees to offset the added lending risk.
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