Blog > Short Sales in St. Charles County: A Guide for Homeowners
If you’re behind on your mortgage and owe more than your home is worth, a short sale might offer a way out—with fewer long-term consequences than foreclosure. For St. Charles County homeowners in financial distress, this option can help you move forward without the burden of debt or foreclosure on your credit.
At MarketPoint Realty, we’ve helped families navigate short sales with confidence. With Jacob Geringer’s combined expertise as a broker, appraiser, and experienced negotiator, you’ll get professional guidance every step of the way.
🏡 What Is a Short Sale?
A short sale happens when a lender agrees to let you sell your home for less than what you owe on your mortgage. The sale proceeds go to the lender, and in many cases, the remaining debt is forgiven or negotiated.
It’s not a quick fix—but with the right representation, a short sale can:
- Prevent foreclosure
- Limit damage to your credit
- Allow you to walk away without owing additional money
🔍 When Is a Short Sale a Good Option?
You may be a candidate for a short sale if:
- You’re behind on your mortgage or struggling to keep up with payments
- Your home’s market value is less than your loan balance
- You’ve experienced financial hardship (job loss, medical bills, divorce, etc.)
- You can’t sell your home for enough to cover what you owe
Before approving a short sale, your lender will typically request:
- A hardship letter
- Financial documents (income, expenses, assets)
- Proof of the home’s current market value (this is where Jacob’s appraisal experience helps tremendously)
📍 How the Short Sale Process Works in Missouri
- Hire a knowledgeable real estate professional
- Jacob Geringer has guided dozens of short sales in the St. Charles region
- Price the home realistically
- With Jacob’s valuation background, you’ll be priced to attract buyers and meet lender requirements
- Submit a short sale package to your lender
- Includes purchase offer, financial docs, hardship letter, and valuation
- Negotiate with the lender
- Jacob handles the back-and-forth to get the deal approved—this part requires patience and skill
- Close the sale
- Once approved, the buyer closes, and the proceeds go directly to your lender
🛠️ Benefits of Choosing a Short Sale Over Foreclosure
- Less Credit Damage: A short sale may impact your credit score less than foreclosure
- Future Financing: You may qualify to buy another home sooner than if you had a foreclosure
- Dignity in Departure: Stay in control of the process and timeline
- Possible Relocation Help: Some lenders offer financial incentives to assist with moving costs
🤝 Why Work With MarketPoint Realty?
Short sales are complex and time-sensitive. Jacob’s skillset is uniquely suited for this process:
- Certified appraiser = accurate market valuation
- Real estate broker = expert transaction guidance
- Investor experience = understanding buyer motivation
- Local knowledge = faster connections and approvals
💬 Real Story: A Successful Short Sale
“We owed more than our house was worth and were out of options. Jacob helped us list, negotiate with our lender, and close a short sale in 6 weeks. We walked away without owing more—and with peace of mind.”
– Rachel & Mark T., St. Peters, MO
📞 Explore Your Options Before It’s Too Late
Short sales can take weeks to process, so the sooner you act, the better. If you’re underwater on your mortgage, let us help you explore every solution.
➡️ Schedule a confidential consultation or call (314) 570‑6794 to speak directly with Jacob Geringer.