Short Sale Assistance refers to a real estate transaction in which the lender agrees to accept less than the total amount due on a mortgage loan, allowing the property to be sold and the excess debt to be forgiven. This process is typically used when a homeowner is facing financial hardship or foreclosure and needs to sell their property for less than what they owe on their mortgage in order to avoid bankruptcy. A short sale assistance program can help facilitate this transaction by negotiating with the lender, helping the homeowner prepare the necessary paperwork, and guiding them through the process from start to finish.