This can be an appraisal or a broker’s price opinion. The lower the estimate of the property’s current market value, the better it will be for you. You want to show the lender it will not be able to sell the home for enough to satisfy the loan. It may not be pleasant, but you should make the home look as bad as possible on paper. Include things such as abundance of homes on your street or neighborhood for sale, especially in foreclosure. Other pertinent information to include is the number of rundown or unkempt homes nearby, increasing crime rate, high taxes and insurance rates, and low-rated schools. Prepare a written summary of your property’s condition, including a thorough and detailed list of any negatives, such as maintenance problems and evidence of disrepair. This can be tough emotionally. This is, after all, your family home, but this is a necessary part of the process. The longer a lender must hold onto a property the more expensive it becomes. If the lender realizes the property will bring them nothing but headaches, it will be more likely to OK a short sale.