Often times, a homeowner that has become permanently unable to pay their mortgage may become subject to foreclosure. By means of a foreclosure, the homeowner is forced to give up their home as payment for the debt owed to a lender. This process is not only quite complicated, but can also cause a considerable amount of damage on the person's credit and overall finances. As an alternative, however, the lender may sometimes allow a short sale in place of a foreclosure. When a short sale is set to occur, a short sale expert or other other agent can be consulted for advice. The short sale consists of a sale at a lower cost than the debt that is owed which, when completed successfully, establishes an appropriate middle ground settlement between the two parties. Both parties lose yet still gain, as the lender is not paid in full and the homeowner loses their property and credit. Since a short sale is such a complicated process, a short sale expert can be essential in terms of providing advice and legal resources.