Selling through a life change
Owe More Than It's Worth? A Short Sale May Be the Way Out
Owing more than the home is worth is a market problem, not a character problem, and there is a documented process for it. In a short sale the lender agrees to take less than the balance so the sale can close, and in most cases the seller pays nothing out of pocket — the lender covers the commission and closing costs as part of approving it. It's slower than a normal sale because approval sits with them, and it's generally far gentler on your credit than a foreclosure, with a shorter wait before you can buy again.
Being underwater isn't a moral failing — it's a market problem with a process to solve it. A short sale lets you sell, satisfy the lender, and walk away with far less damage than a foreclosure.
Paths forward
Your options
More than one way through this — here's what fits situations like yours.
Short sale with lender negotiation
The core path — I handle the lender, the paperwork, and the buyer.
A normal sale instead
If you actually have equity, this nets you more — I'll check first.
The process
How I help
- 01
We document your hardship and confirm you're a short-sale candidate.
- 02
I handle the lender negotiation and the paperwork.
- 03
We market the home and find a buyer at fair value.
- 04
The lender approves and we close — often with the lender covering costs.
Straight talk
What to keep in mind
- You'll need to document a genuine hardship.
- Forgiven debt can have tax implications — talk to a CPA; I coordinate.
- It's usually far gentler on your credit than foreclosure, and you can often buy again sooner.
- In most short sales the seller pays nothing — the lender covers commissions and fees.
- Homes sold
- 175+Homes sold
- In closed sales
- $54M+In closed sales
- Texas markets served
- 2Texas markets served
- Counties served today
- 6Counties served today
A real track record across Greater Houston — and an honest read on your situation before you decide anything.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
See if a short sale is your way out
Tell me what you owe and what's going onI'll tell you honestly whether a short sale fits.
Whatever you're facing, you don't have to figure it out alone.
A private, no-pressure conversation is all it takes.
Prefer to set a time and talk privately?
Schedule time with AllenAllen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty · TREC #0658294