22 Questions to Ask the Short Sale Lender

Are you at a loss for words with the Short Sale lender? Here are some questions to pose when you check in on your Short Sale transaction status. Even if you've asked some of these questions before, you may want to ask them again, and repeat certain questions on each call. Many times, you'll elicit a different answer or discover a problem that may help you get your approval more quickly.

1. Have you received our package?

2. Is anything missing from our package?

3. Has the loan been submitted as a short sale (or "referred" with Countrywide)?

4. Has a negotiator been assigned?

5. When will a negotiator be assigned?

6. How do you spell the negotiator's name?

7. What is the negotiator's email address?

8. What is the negotiator's direct number, extension or fax number?

9. Has an appraisal or broker price opinion been ordered?

10. Can you order the appraisal?

11. When will the appraisal be ordered?

12. Have you received the appraisal back yet?

13. Is the appraisal value within range?

14. Has the second mortgage been "serviced released"? If so, who is the new servicer?

15. Is there MI (mortgage insurance) on the loan?

16. Is the loan Fannie Mae, etc?

17. Is your company delegated (authority to make decision on approval)?

18. Can you read me any notes on the file?

19. What was the last action taken on the file?

20. Would you email the negotiator for me?

21. Would you ring the negotiator for me?

22. Would you connect me with the supervisor?

It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Search Destin Florida real estate
Short Sale Pre Foreclosure Help.

Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204
Email itswendy@rulnickrealty.com

Wendy Rulnick specializes in real estate sales, short sales, traditional sales on Emerald Coast of Florida: Destin Florida real estate, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach, Crestview, Freeport, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. Wendy Rulnick, Broker and Realtor, has been selling real estate for 20 years. She has won numerous awards, including the coveted ADDY for advertising design. An expert marketer of real estate listings, she negotiates successfully to her clients' advantage. She is supported by a team of top buyer specialists. She lists and sells homes, condos and townhomes.

All Rights Reserved. *22 Questions To Ask The Short Sale Lender* Contact Wendy Rulnick regarding Destin Florida real estate and vicinity. Copyright © 2008 by Wendy Rulnick.
This site, Wendy Rulnick or Rulnick Realty, Inc. is not providing legal or tax advice. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. It is recommended that sellers considering a short sale should consult an independent legal and tax advisor for more information.

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Countrywide Wants Short Sale Buyers' Social Security Numbers

I have two interesting short sales in process with Countrywide. One is in Destin, Florida, the other, Navarre, Florida. In both of these cases, Countrywide is asking for the buyer's date of birth and home address. In one of the cases, they want the buyer's social security number.
Why does Countrywide want this new information? Apparently, in Short Sales where their loss is greater than $250,000, Countrywide does a background check on the buyer to ensure he is not related to the seller.

In one of these situations above, the buyer is refusing to provide his social security number. He feels that his privacy, identity and more would be at risk by divulging it. And it would be. I don't blame him. I have been trying to resolve this issue for three weeks. Finally, today, the negotiator called me and said the deal would be "off" if he didn't provide the information. I told her I needed more substantial explanation for the buyer, as I didn't want to waste the four months of time we already invested in the transaction. She put her team leader on the phone. He said "We do not need the social security number, just the date of birth." He also said that Countrywide wanted to ensure there was "No benefit to the seller through the buyer's purchase." When the negotiator got back on the phone, she seemed flustered. I told her I provided that information to her three weeks ago, and repeated it again. She said she "would call me right back". That was two hours ago.

In any event, if Countrywide is performing background checks, they ought to disclose that to the buyer. Anything less is a bit underhanded.

It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Search Destin Florida real estate and vicinity.
Short Sale Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read my Blog.

Specializing in real estate sales on Emerald Coast of Florida: Destin Florida real estate, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach, Freeport, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Copyright © 2008 By Wendy Rulnick. All Rights Reserved. *Countrywide Wants Short Sale Buyers' Social Security Numbers* Contact Wendy Rulnick regarding Navarre Florida real estate and vicinity.

Another Countrywide Short Sale Approved

I know everyone likes to complain about Countrywide Short Sales, but you know what, I like them. They are consistently inconsistent. I've had approvals from them in five weeks, without even a phone call from the negotiator, to five months, after them losing information, switching negotiators four times, and forgetting to order BPO's. At least it's a behemoth of a "system", and the consistency of the agent is the key to success with them.
My most recent approval is a condo in Destin, Florida. The drill was the same as most other short sales, with the key to the magic "approval" near the end. Here's the typical scenario from the listing agent's perspective:

Qualify seller

Obtain and prepare seller package

Price property at fair market value

Market property Field calls from agents asking "How far along in the process is the short sale?"

Field calls from agents asking "Do you have any offers on the property?"

Explain process to agent who is going to write offer

Once under contract with seller, send package to Countrywide

Follow up diligently with Countrywide

Buyer threatens to walk

Follow up diligently with Countrywide

Buyer threatens to walk

Obtain counter from Countrywide

Buyer says no, he'll walk

THE KEY, since this is a good offer, PROVE offer is good to Countrywide

Wait for approval

Buyer threatens to walk

APPROVED

Skill sets of the listing agent come into play in all aspects. Prepare well, get the details right, follow up, see the big picture, and get your approval.

It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker, CRP, CRS, GRI, ABR Rulnick Realty, Inc.

Search Destin Florida real estate and vicinity.
Short Sale Pre Foreclosure Help.
Read my Blog.

Specializing in real estate sales on Emerald Coast of Florida: Destin Florida real estate, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Bluewater Bay, Navarre, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Sandestin, Seaside, Dune Allen, Blue Mountain Beach, Freeport, Rosemary Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field. Call toll-free 1-877-ITS-WNDY (1-877-487-9639) or local 850-650-7883 ext 204

Copyright © 2008 By Wendy Rulnick. All Rights Reserved. *Another Countrywide Short Sale Approved* Contact Wendy Rulnick regarding Destin Florida real estate and vicinity.