
COVID devastated them financially, and they still are trying to catch up.
They bought a house with a low down payment at the top of the market -- then property values dropped.
New home builders have been doing a bait-and-switch: they "forget" to mention that taxes and insurance will go out the roof a year after the new home is purchased.
EVERYTHING has become more expensive!

The house is upside down. As-is, the the house can't be sold for enough to cover all debt.
The borrowers are having a financial hardship. Job transfer, medical problems, death or disability, divorce, job loss, mounting obligations. These things can happen to any of us.
The borrowers have been honest with their lender.

Short sales normally take longer than a normal home sale. (The name is ironic, right?) During this process, the home is protected from foreclosure. This gives someone time to prepare for next steps.
The seller is not allowed to pay or receive money when the house is sold. The loan servicer pays for you.
A short sale is much softer on your credit than a foreclosure. It shows that you were taking initiative to solve your problems.
