Do I need to make my mortgage payments during the short sale process?

The most common question I get from sellers considering a short sale is whether they should (or have to) make mortgage payments during their short sale. There is generally no blanket requirement by the lender for a seller to be current or behind to pursue a short sale (a few exceptions apply - mainly FHA).

can i do a short sale before I miss payments?

When deciding whether or not to make the payments during a short sale, consider these pros and cons to make an informed decision:

IF YOU CHOOSE TO KEEP MAKING THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS:

PROS

Your credit score will not reflect missed payments.
The foreclosure process will not begin.
Some short sales can be approved for current borrowers.
It will be quicker and easier to purchase another home after your short sale closes.

CONS

Your short sale application will be subject to additional scrutiny by the lender.
The odds of the lender requiring cash or a note are much higher.
Funds that would have been available to you will be depleted.
You may be declined for the short sale.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

IF YOU CHOOSE TO STOP MAKING THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS:

PROS

The lender will be facing financial losses and be more motivated, making the short sale approval process quicker and easier.
You will be less likely to be asked to contribute cash or a note.
You will have access to funds that would have otherwise been depleted by making the payments.

CONS

Your credit score will be negatively affected by missing payments.
The foreclosure process will eventually begin and there is no guarantee you will not foreclose.
If foreclosure begins, you will need to get actively involved in the suit to delay the foreclosure.

Most of my sellers do choose to stop making mortgage payments (if they are not already behind by the time they call me).

Some want to stay current, and some may successfully get approved for the short sale anyway. Some also get declined, and choose to try again once they stop making payments. Almost 100% of the time, the second try is successful.

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure, and settle your mortgage debt with experienced Florida Short Sale Realtors!

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400+ Closed Short Sales
95% + Approval Rate
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100+ 5 Star Reviews!

    
 
 
         jmccauley714 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna and her team did a excellent job in helping us short sale our home she was very kind, honest and up front about the process A+++ Communication, Service and knowledgeable highly recommended if you need a realtor.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        wevschuab13 
 
 
 
   Verified It was a pleasure working with Minna and her team. From the beginning to end, she was there to guide me in the right direction. She does what is best for her clients and will go above and beyond to make sure the whole process is as smooth and it can be. I can't thank her enough for all her help and guidance during the sale of my property.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Melissa Case 
 
 
 
   Verified Responsiveness. Peace of mind. The feeling that, once and for all, everything was going to be OK. I got all these things and more the first time I spoke with Minna Reid. I was dealing with a home sale that, at first, had seemed uncomplicated and simple, but then was anything but. I needed help, and I needed it badly. From that first moment, Minna jumped immediately into action. She was thorough in her explanation of the things we needed to do and why, and took charge of the whole situation. I was able to take a breath and unclench my shoulders for the first time in weeks. I needed solutions, and she had them. I could not have asked for a better, stronger advocate. On top of that, she’s funny, personable, and knows how to relate to people (this is helpful not just when dealing with stressed-out clients—ME—but also with attorneys, other REALTORS, and difficult buyers). If you have a tricky home sale situation, I could not recommend Minna highly enough. And she was right: she said everything would be OK, and it was.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Kelly Turnage 
 
 
 
   Verified I was about to give up and just turn my back on my home and walk away. However, I found Minna and she was a lifesaver! Other realtors tried to help me but made the situation worse and wasted my time. If you are in the unfortunate place of having to short sale your home, then you know it can be embarrassing and difficult, especially if you don't have real estate experience. Minna knew exactly what to do, and was very professional, knowledgeable, and, kind. Minna was on my side and handled all the challenges we faced with selling a house that at times seemed like it didn't want to be sold! I appreciate Minna and know that you will love her.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Tony Guglielmi 
 
 
 
   Verified We are grateful to Minna for her knowledge, professionalism and expertise in shortsales. She truly cares about her clients and it is evident in the manner she represents them. She has a strong work ethic and keen negotiation skills when dealing with financial institutions and buyers. We strongly recommend Minna and her company if u want immediate results.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Elizabeth Smith 
 
 
 
   Verified I inherited my father's head and was completely in over my head. Minna was amazing in getting things straightened out with the mortgage company (which had been giving me issues for years) and was so responsive to my emails. I had a lot of questions, as this was my first time going through the selling process, and she was able to answer them all quickly. The selling process was so much easier than I expected it to be, thanks to Minna and her team!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        qr8k4tscxx 
 
 
 
   Verified My husband and I worked with Minna to sell my father-in laws house after my father-in law-died. Minna is highly knowledgeable in regards to selling estate properties. She took the time to explain the process to us and she was very responsive to our needs. Minna was also highly motived to assist us in selling the house quickly. We listened to Minna’s advice in regards to selling the house (during the bidding process) and the house sold for well over what we expected. My experience with Minna was very positive and I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to sell a property. Thanks again for everything Minna!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        DanLing8 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna has been a fantastic partner in selling our home. She was patient with us in explaining the differences between a short sale and conventional sale and helped us think through the pros and cons of each. During the process of the sale she was strategic and got us the best price for our sale. The process was painless and quick and every step of the way she managed each and every detail flawlessly.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Anthony DeLuca 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna helped witha  dificult short sale. It was a process that went on for several months. Minna was professional and attentitive to the process. She worked diligently with the bank to get the deal done. I don't think we could have done it without her!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Marcin Rafalowicz 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna was the best thing that happened to us in a very long time. We’ve been planning on moving from on house and on with our lives and the house was simply an anchor. We’ve had two liens on the house that would take a long time to cure and we were forced to sell the house to settle with the bank. I’ve looked around for someone who specializes in short sales, not just an agent that did 2-3. The process took a while, but Minna was super persistent, and her strategic approach was close to none. We have lost two buyers, got a push backs from the back and lean holders and she was able to stay on top of it and at the same time, she kept us afloat emotionally. Because of her, we were able to leave CT and move to FL where we are currently waiting for our new place. Warm thank you to Minna and her team for doing what they do best. Marcin with family.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  Zillow rating score: 4.9 of 5, 
based on 86 reviews 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Minna Reid

short sale FAQ

August 31, 2026

Minna Reid

Minna Reid is the Broker-Owner of Reid Real Estate Group, serving FL & CT, specializing in foreclosure prevention and short sales.

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CONTACT ME

    
 
 
         jmccauley714 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna and her team did a excellent job in helping us short sale our home she was very kind, honest and up front about the process A+++ Communication, Service and knowledgeable highly recommended if you need a realtor.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        wevschuab13 
 
 
 
   Verified It was a pleasure working with Minna and her team. From the beginning to end, she was there to guide me in the right direction. She does what is best for her clients and will go above and beyond to make sure the whole process is as smooth and it can be. I can't thank her enough for all her help and guidance during the sale of my property.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Melissa Case 
 
 
 
   Verified Responsiveness. Peace of mind. The feeling that, once and for all, everything was going to be OK. I got all these things and more the first time I spoke with Minna Reid. I was dealing with a home sale that, at first, had seemed uncomplicated and simple, but then was anything but. I needed help, and I needed it badly. From that first moment, Minna jumped immediately into action. She was thorough in her explanation of the things we needed to do and why, and took charge of the whole situation. I was able to take a breath and unclench my shoulders for the first time in weeks. I needed solutions, and she had them. I could not have asked for a better, stronger advocate. On top of that, she’s funny, personable, and knows how to relate to people (this is helpful not just when dealing with stressed-out clients—ME—but also with attorneys, other REALTORS, and difficult buyers). If you have a tricky home sale situation, I could not recommend Minna highly enough. And she was right: she said everything would be OK, and it was.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Kelly Turnage 
 
 
 
   Verified I was about to give up and just turn my back on my home and walk away. However, I found Minna and she was a lifesaver! Other realtors tried to help me but made the situation worse and wasted my time. If you are in the unfortunate place of having to short sale your home, then you know it can be embarrassing and difficult, especially if you don't have real estate experience. Minna knew exactly what to do, and was very professional, knowledgeable, and, kind. Minna was on my side and handled all the challenges we faced with selling a house that at times seemed like it didn't want to be sold! I appreciate Minna and know that you will love her.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Tony Guglielmi 
 
 
 
   Verified We are grateful to Minna for her knowledge, professionalism and expertise in shortsales. She truly cares about her clients and it is evident in the manner she represents them. She has a strong work ethic and keen negotiation skills when dealing with financial institutions and buyers. We strongly recommend Minna and her company if u want immediate results.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Elizabeth Smith 
 
 
 
   Verified I inherited my father's head and was completely in over my head. Minna was amazing in getting things straightened out with the mortgage company (which had been giving me issues for years) and was so responsive to my emails. I had a lot of questions, as this was my first time going through the selling process, and she was able to answer them all quickly. The selling process was so much easier than I expected it to be, thanks to Minna and her team!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        qr8k4tscxx 
 
 
 
   Verified My husband and I worked with Minna to sell my father-in laws house after my father-in law-died. Minna is highly knowledgeable in regards to selling estate properties. She took the time to explain the process to us and she was very responsive to our needs. Minna was also highly motived to assist us in selling the house quickly. We listened to Minna’s advice in regards to selling the house (during the bidding process) and the house sold for well over what we expected. My experience with Minna was very positive and I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to sell a property. Thanks again for everything Minna!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        DanLing8 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna has been a fantastic partner in selling our home. She was patient with us in explaining the differences between a short sale and conventional sale and helped us think through the pros and cons of each. During the process of the sale she was strategic and got us the best price for our sale. The process was painless and quick and every step of the way she managed each and every detail flawlessly.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Anthony DeLuca 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna helped witha  dificult short sale. It was a process that went on for several months. Minna was professional and attentitive to the process. She worked diligently with the bank to get the deal done. I don't think we could have done it without her!
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
        Marcin Rafalowicz 
 
 
 
   Verified Minna was the best thing that happened to us in a very long time. We’ve been planning on moving from on house and on with our lives and the house was simply an anchor. We’ve had two liens on the house that would take a long time to cure and we were forced to sell the house to settle with the bank. I’ve looked around for someone who specializes in short sales, not just an agent that did 2-3. The process took a while, but Minna was super persistent, and her strategic approach was close to none. We have lost two buyers, got a push backs from the back and lean holders and she was able to stay on top of it and at the same time, she kept us afloat emotionally. Because of her, we were able to leave CT and move to FL where we are currently waiting for our new place. Warm thank you to Minna and her team for doing what they do best. Marcin with family.
  
  Posted on Zillow  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  Zillow rating score: 4.9 of 5, 
based on 86 reviews 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Should I make mortgage payments during my Florida short sale?

Do I need to make my mortgage payments during the short sale process?

IF YOU CHOOSE TO KEEP MAKING THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS:

PROS

CONS

IF YOU CHOOSE TO STOP MAKING THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS:

PROS

CONS

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Sell your underwater home, avoid foreclosure and settle your mortgage debt, with experienced Florida Short Sale !

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?

Need to Sell But Owe More Than Your Florida Home Is Worth?