Hardship Letter Short Sale Bad Neighborhood

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to request the short sale of the house at {address}, which I bought on {date of purchase}. At the time, {mortgage company} provided me with a {30-year, 15-year, etc.} mortgage of {amount in dollars}, with a {fixed/variable} interest rate.

Ever since {event}, my area has become a bad neighborhood in which to own property. Taxes have increased from {rate} to {rate} per year, while the estimated value of my house has fallen from {value} on {date} to {current value}. As the neighborhood has gotten worse, my neighbors have been forced to relocate, which has led to {squatters/graffiti/drug use/crime}. I feel unsafe going out in my yard, and it has become a struggle just to pay the principal on my mortgage.

I am including the offer from the buyer I found on {date}. I put the house up for sale on {date} and I don't foresee getting a higher offer than {amount}. Property values have been steadily declining since {approximate time} and show no signs of improving. There have already been {number} foreclosures on my block alone and the situation has become dire. I cannot meet these payments and I am steadily going bankrupt.

I would appreciate any help you can give me regarding these unfortunate circumstances. I have enclosed the relevant financial paperwork that will help to illustrate my current situation, including {explanation of the paperwork you're including}. I would also appreciate it if we could work out a plan that doesn't require you to make a negative report on my credit.

I hope that my plan for this short sale is amenable to you. Thank you for your understanding concerning my situation and the necessity of this modification.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

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