In real estate, a short sale occurs when a bank or mortgage lender agrees to discount a loan balance due to an economic hardship on the part of the mortgagor (i.e., the seller). Circumstances determine whether or not banks will discount a loan balance. These circumstances are usually related to the current real estate market climate and the individual borrower's financial situation. A short sale typically is executed to prevent a home foreclosure. Often a bank will choose to allow a short sale if they believe that it will result in a smaller financial loss than foreclosing.
An arms-length or short sale affidavit is a document created by a bank in an attempt to prevent sellers from selling to relatives or friends to act as a straw buyer. Sometimes sellers make such side agreements. Then, after the transaction closes, the pretend buyers quickly transfer title back to the seller. This practice, in affect, means the sellers have repurchased their home at maybe half the cost, which greatly benefits those sellers.
