Wells Fargo Short Sales Criteria for Foreclosure Postponement

Wells Fargo advised NAR that it has modified its existing guidelines to allow the postponement of a scheduled foreclosure in connection with a short sale, but only in limited situations.


NAR explained that for loans owned by Wells Fargo, including those inherited with the bank’s Wachovia acquisition, as well as other loans serviced by Wells Fargo but owned by an investor, the policy allows for one foreclosure postponement, but only if: (1) Wells Fargo has a short sale sales contract in hand that has been approved (including approvals from junior lien holders and mortgage insurers, if applicable), (2) the buyer has proof of funds or financing approved, and (3) the short sale can close within 30 days of the scheduled foreclosure sale.

However, Wells Fargo noted that not all investors allow for such postponements and stressed that in jurisdictions where the courts will not approve the delay, the postponement policy will not apply. Wells Fargo told NAR that it is willing to address situations that do not qualify under these guidelines on a case-by-case basis.

Last month, it was reported that Wells Fargo had stopped delaying foreclosures in order to allow distressed homeowners to complete short sales. But as NAR outlined, the foreclosure timeline can be pushed back for a short sale as long as Wells Fargo’s specified criteria are met.