<prompt> Human: Hi, rhomeowners. I have lived in this 850 sqft bungalow for almost 6.5 years. At the time of buying, I was tired of giving money to landlords and ready to own, build some equity and settle down in Kansas City. Well, in no time flat, the bubble burst and that dream of equity disappeared forever. I am now really unhappy. I have had to sink 3000 into a new septic tank which I was told it was on sewage when I bought it; even paid 8 months of sewer fees to the utilities company, another 3500 on a bathroom remodel and now 10,000 financed in windows and siding. I want to make some positive changes in my life and among them is a new, better environment.I had a realtor come take a look and she brought some numbers. My neighborhood has so many foreclosures and rehab sale that values have tanked. I have lost over 25k in equity since I bought the house according to the county tax appraisal. According to market value, that is more like 40k. The realtor was trying to be optimistic and convince me that although a larger house on my street with a fence I dont have and a garage I dont have is on list at 35 and not selling that maybe we can get 60k for it. Well, that is a long shot and would still mean I am short selling by about 4k by the time I have paid commission not to mention still on the hook for the windows and siding loan.So that was disappointing, but in all honesty, I was expecting things to be bad. Just not quite that grim. Is there any reason in the world I should even bother trying? I seriously doubt the 7 year hit to my credit could ever cost me as much money as it would to try to short sell and make up the massive difference. Please help, reddit. I dont know what to do.Assistant: How much did you pay for your home?What terms?Are you wanting to leave Kansas City? What is your overall income and budget looking like?Human: 75, 6k down, 69 on a 30 year fixed at 6.75, Ive paid on it for 6.5 years and only gotten it to 61. The county appraiser has it at 52 and the market in my area is averaging more like 34-37. I still owe 9k on the windows and siding.I really need to get out of KC. My family is in crisis right now as my fiancee has left to be near her grandmother far away as she is dying. The job market for my fiancee here is very grim and mine is not much better. Currently, I pull in about 40k a year and now that Ive completed my masters, I should be worth more than 55k, but as I mentioned, the job market here is not great and my employer knows it, which is why Im severely underpaid.My budget is pretty thin. I pull in just over 10002wks after taxes and my monthly bills are a 650 mortgage, 200 utlilities, 130 tvinternet, 80 car insurance, 225 car lease, 200 loan payment for the windows and siding, 130 student loan. This leaves me about 400 per month to pay for groceries, gas averaging 25week and incidentals.Assistant: I gather that your goal is to get out from under this house.Based on what youre telling me, you are at least 10,000 upside down and possibly much more.Im assuming that youre current on your mortgage?A couple of options would be; A a short sale would require bank approval or B lease to own youd rent the home to a family with a portion of the rent going towards eventual ownership. This would enable them to qualify for a traditional loan in a few years time.You could ask your real estate agent about these options and see if heshe has any others. They have probably dealt with other people in your area who are also needing to move while underwater.Id also repost this to rrealestate .Human: She kept saying dont lose hope, maybe we can get 60 but I kept reminding her that is a 15,000 shortfall Im not prepared to absorb.She isnt really familiar with other options, but I gather if the lender agrees to a short sale, it is possible to have them report it as debt paid and then I wont be on the hook for the short fall although Id still have to pay off the windows and sidingShe did keep suggesting renting, but I want to leave the state. I cant landlord something from 750 miles away. I cant hire a property manager and pay them 30 of the rent, Id still be losing a lot every month.I really want to wash my hands and get out. Thanks for your help, Ive x-posted to rrealestate too now.  <response>: A property manager doesnt cost 30 of rent. More like 10 and its not that hard to do. I think youre asking people who want to pay their debts how to not pay yours and youre not liking the answers. 