How to Write a Short Sale Hardship Letter (With Template)

The Hardship Letter is the most important part of your lender's "short sale package." It’s your chance to tell the story behind the numbers. Use our tool below to draft a professional letter in minutes.

The "Rules of the Letter"
  1. Use the Template:  Configure the drop-downs and add the date, (mm/dd/yyyy). 
  2. Be Concise: Banks handle thousands of files. Keep your letter to one page.
  3. Be Honest: You are stating you are sorry. Editthe letter after you paste to your word processor, don't exaggerate, but don't hold back. If it’s a medical issue or a job loss, state the impact.
  4. State the Outcome: Clearly tell the bank that you want to settle the debt via a Short Sale and that you have no other assets to pay the difference. (all these points are identified in the generated letter)
"Draft Your Letter Instantly" Fill in the prompts below—including your hardship type and financial status—and our tool will format a formal letter ready for your signature.​ If, possible, keep it to one page by being concise. Once complete, click "Copy to Clipboard", paste to your Word document, print, and sign with a wet signature.

Hardship Letter Generator

Provide a few details below to generate a professional letter for your lender's loss mitigation department.

Now that your letter is ready, download the Document Checklist.