Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to footer
The Advocate

The silence at the
dinner table needs to end.

Financial stress is a thief. It steals your sleep, your focus, and your joy. My job is to stand between you and the bank so you can breathe again.

Call me. That's it. Just call me when you're ready to talk.
Call My Cell

I'm not a "Specialist". I'm a Buffer.

That knot in your stomach when the mail comes? I've watched a lot of people carry it. A short sale is a money problem wrapped in a private one, and the private part is usually the heavier of the two.

When you hire me, the calls stop coming to you—they come to me. I handle the bank's aggression so you can focus on your family. I don't just negotiate the sale; I negotiate your peace of mind.

I Take The Arrows

The bank has lawyers. You have me. I fight for a full deficiency waiver so when you walk away, you're truly free. No zombie debt.

Your Business Stays Private

Your neighbors don't need to know your business. I market the home as a standard sale. No "Distressed" riders. No red flags. Just a sale.

Reality Check

The Credit Impact

These are the numbers. (The bank knows them. Now you do too.)

  • Foreclosure: 7+ years waiting period for new financing.
  • Short Sale: Buy again in as little as 2 years.
  • Deficiency: I negotiate to waive the remaining balance.

Confidential Help

This conversation is 100% private. No judgment. Just options. (The sooner we talk, the more room I have to work with.)

Call me. That's it. Just call me when you're ready to talk.

What working through this actually looks like

The hardest part is usually the not-knowing. Here's what I do, in what order, and what you'll have in your hands at each step.

We start with your numbers, not a pitch

I need your payoff, your arrears, and whatever the lender has actually sent you. An hour of paperwork tells us more than a month of worrying.

Nothing reaches the lender before you read it

Short sale packets are long and personal. You see every page before it leaves my desk, and I tell you what each one is for.

You get the timeline as fast as I get it

Lender review runs on its own clock and I can't speed it up. I can tell you where your file sits every week, without you having to ask.

Planning Your Next Chapter

A short sale is a pause, not a full stop. Look ahead...

Future Buying Power

Understand the realistic timeline for buying again down the road.

Inside Scoop

Relocation & Rentals

Need to figure out the next step? Let's find you a reliable rental or new location.

Inside Scoop

Market Reality

When you're ready to re-enter, I'll show you what the market actually looks like — not the headline, the block-by-block truth.

Inside Scoop
You're not a failure. The math stopped working. That's not the same thing. My job right now isn't to sell anything. It's to help you get to the other side of this with as much dignity as possible.— The Reality
The Minneapple standard

Tools & Guides for Distressed Sellers

No sales pitches here. Just some honest tools, real data, and practical guides to help you figure out the next steps.

Sellers

Equity Predictor

I've watched three market cycles. This tool shows you what I see coming.

Read Guide
Buyers

The AI Assistant

25 years of Minneapolis real estate knowledge. Available at 2am when the anxiety hits.

Read Guide
Sellers

Selling Your Home

How I sell Minneapolis homes for more, faster: 25 years of local expertise meets AI precision.

Read Guide
Sellers8 min read

Facing Foreclosure in Minneapolis? Here's Your Action Plan.

If you're behind on payments, the clock is ticking, and your options are better than you think.

Read Guide
Sellers7 min read

Life Threw a Curveball: Now You're Selling. Here's How to Breathe.

Something happened. You didn't plan to sell right now. Here's where we start.

Read Guide

Short Sale & Pre-Foreclosure Guide — Minneapolis — Quick Answers

What is a short sale and how does it work in Minnesota?

A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept less than what you owe on your mortgage. You sell the home, the bank takes the proceeds, and the remaining debt is typically forgiven. It's not ideal, but it's far less damaging than a foreclosure on your credit.

How long does a short sale take in Minneapolis?

Typically 90–120 days from listing to closing. The longest part is waiting for bank approval — which can take 30–60 days. Having an experienced short sale agent dramatically speeds this up.

Will I owe taxes on the forgiven debt?

Possibly. The IRS may treat forgiven mortgage debt as taxable income. However, there are exceptions for primary residences. Always consult a tax professional — this is not tax advice, but it's a conversation worth having early.

Can I stay in my home during a short sale?

Yes. You remain the legal owner until closing. You stay in the home, maintain it, and continue living normally. The process is confidential — your neighbors won't know.

QUIET PROOF

The Numbers Behind The Voice

Years in the Twin Cities25+ years
Guided transitions500+
LicenseMN 20382264
BrokerLakes Area Realty
MembershipsNAR · MAR · NorthstarMLS · MPLS REALTORS
Reach me(612) 208-SOLD (7653) · Chris@LakesAreaRealty.com
Grab Coffee