Consumer Protection
Homeowners dealing with mortgage problems often have important decisions to make.
Short-Sale.com is designed to help people understand their situation, consider reasonable options, and choose what they want to do next.
Our consumer protection principles guide how we present information, request permission, and connect people with outside resources or professionals.
Clear information comes first
We explain mortgage, foreclosure, and selling topics in clear language and support important claims with appropriate sources.
When information depends on a state, loan type, mortgage program, servicer, or other factor, we explain what may change the answer.
When another organization or professional controls a decision, we identify the right place to confirm it.
Learn how we source our information →
Your choices guide the next step
Short-Sale.com helps users understand relevant options before choosing what they want to explore.
Depending on the situation, a user may choose to:
- continue learning,
- contact a mortgage servicer,
- find a HUD-approved housing counselor,
- seek legal or tax guidance,
- explore selling options,
- or request a connection with a professional.
A professional connection begins when the user chooses to request one.
Our Editorial Policy explains the standards we use when presenting options.
Connections happen by choice
Short-Sale.com may help users find outside resources or professionals when that would be useful.
When a user selects a professional or service, we provide clear information about the connection and ask for the permission needed to make it.
Users can continue using Short-Sale.com educational information without choosing a paid professional.
We follow applicable consumer requirements
Short-Sale.com follows the requirements that apply to the services we provide.
Our policies and product controls are designed around applicable consumer-protection, privacy, advertising, communication, and professional requirements.
These requirements can vary by service, location, and the type of professional involved.
We review our controls as the platform develops and as applicable requirements change.
Commercial relationships are disclosed
Short-Sale.com may receive compensation from certain participating professionals or service providers.
Editorial decisions are based on the facts, relevant sources, and the user's situation.
Commercial relationships are handled separately from those decisions.
When a paid relationship is relevant to a connection or service, we make that relationship clear.
Learn about advertising and commercial relationships →
Personal information is used with purpose
Some Short-Sale.com features may use information a user provides to explain a situation, save progress, create a Decision Brief, or complete a requested connection.
Our connection process is designed to share information for the requested purpose and according to the permissions provided.
We use clear prompts when an action involves sharing information with another party.
Additional details about how personal information is collected and used are provided in our Privacy Policy.
Sources and organizations are identified clearly
Short-Sale.com may reference government agencies, housing counselors, nonprofit organizations, mortgage servicers, courts, legal resources, and private professionals.
We identify these organizations by their role so users can understand where information or assistance comes from.
Government and nonprofit resources remain distinct from paid professional connections.
Professional roles stay clear
Different questions may call for different kinds of help.
A mortgage servicer, housing counselor, attorney, tax professional, real estate professional, court, or government agency may each have a different role.
When a professional or outside resource is presented, we aim to make that role clear so users can decide whether the resource fits their needs.
Understand what can affect the outcome
Mortgage and foreclosure decisions may involve a servicer, investor, court, government agency, buyer, or another party.
We explain the factors that may affect the outcome and identify when another party must make or confirm the decision.
This helps users understand what is known, what may vary, and what may need another step.
Information and professional guidance
Short-Sale.com provides educational information and decision-support tools.
Legal, tax, mortgage servicing, housing counseling, and other professional questions may require help from the person or organization responsible for that decision.
When that applies, we help users identify an appropriate source or professional.
Using Short-Sale.com does not create an attorney-client, housing counselor-client, or other professional advisory relationship with Short-Sale.com.
Review and accountability
Our consumer protection principles work together with our sourcing, editorial, review, and corrections standards.
These processes help us keep important information clear, current, and supported.
If you see information that may need another review, you can send it to us.