Let's Make Short Sales Easier
Professional Support for a Smoother, Faster Short Sale Experience
Let’s be honest — short sales are tough. They’re time-consuming, paperwork-heavy, and emotionally draining for your clients. As a real estate agent, your focus should be on helping people buy and sell homes — not chasing down bank reps, tracking missing documents, or worrying whether the appraisal got scheduled.
That’s where I come in.
At Your Short Sale Partner I specialize in handling the behind-the-scenes work that slows short sales down. I’m not out showing homes — I’m in the office, on the phone with banks, gathering documentation, and moving your file forward. When you partner with a dedicated short sale processor, the process becomes faster, more efficient, and far less stressful for your clients.
Let me take the paperwork off your plate so you can focus on what you do best — selling homes.
Stages of a Short Sale
Stage 1 - Investigation
In this stage we chat with the Seller and gather information to do a preliminary assessment on whether a Short Sale is the right path. I look at all other options for the Seller, have they applied for a loan modification? Do they want to stay in the home? What other liens are on the property? In this stage we want to make sure the Seller is okay with leaving the home and doesn’t want to stay. If they want to stay I can help them with a loan modification.
Stage 2 – Initial Documentation Collection
in this stage, I give the Seller a list of documents that I will need to begin preparing the Short Sale Package. Things like bank statements, paystubs, tax returns etc. I will also have them write a Hardship Letter which is the core of a Short Sale.
Stage 3 - Processing
In this stage I start the actual processing of the Short Sale. I order title work, pay-offs and make sure we have everything we need to properly process the file. Then I submit the Authorization to the Lender and get approval to speak with them on behalf of the Seller. Once I have that, then I will submit all of the documents to them, including an offer, to get their approval or to make necessary changes in the file to get that approval.
Stage 4 - Bank Review
This stage takes the longest - anywhere from 21 to 60 days. The bank reviews the homeowner’s qualifications for the short sale, determines that all required documents have been submitted and then they do their BPOs and appraisals. Once they complete this, the file gets assigned to a negotiator.
Stage 5 – Bank Processing
This is the stage where the Negotiator reviews the entire file and looks for missing documents or issues with the transaction. They also review the valuation - either a BPO or an Appraisal - and determine the minimum sales price that the bank and investor will accept. If the buyer’s offer meets that price, they will accept the offer in the file. If it does not, they may reject or counter that offer if it’s close. If the buyer, seller and bank agree, the negotiator will submit the file to the investor or a supervisor for final approval.
Stage 6 - The Final Review
The final review stage of the short sale can sometimes include additional reviews from other 3rd parties or Quality Control audits by internal processors within the bank. The time this takes depends on how many 3rd parties that we have to wait on and who they are. Transactions involving private mortgage insurance or government agencies like Freddie Mac / Fannie Mae will always take the longest.
Depending on the specific transaction, this is where we may get a verbal approval. This can be the frustrating part as you have the verbal approval but you have to wait for the Final Certification. But rest assured, that 95% of files that get a verbal approval also get the Final Certification.
Now if the Bank says they will give a verbal approval but the price needs to be higher, we can dispute that amount and see if we can get an approval at the lower purchase price but this does take time and this is one of the stages that can hold up a file
Stage 7 - Approved & Closing
Just like in lending, the phrase “You are Approved and Cleared to Close” is cause for celebration! This is the stage that we receive the Approval Letter and make sure it is correct and acceptable to the Seller. Until you get to this stage, your Short Sale is not 100% approved. Once you have this, you need to close within 30 days so the buyer must move quickly. If you don’t close by the deadline in the letter, we will have to request an extension and that is not guaranteed to happen. Make sure the buyer understands the urgency to close once we have this letter.
Compassionate Support When Your Clients Need It Most
It is a traumatic time
Selling a home through a short sale isn’t just a transaction — it’s often one of the most emotionally difficult times in a homeowner’s life.
Many short sale clients are facing more than just financial hardship. Whether it’s job loss, medical challenges, divorce, or a combination of stresses, the emotional weight can be overwhelming. I never forget that behind every file is a real person going through a tough time.
That’s why I focus on making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. I guide your clients through the document collection process with empathy and patience — and when they’re feeling stuck or unresponsive, I look for alternative ways to get what’s needed. If it makes things easier, I’ll have them sign an authorization so I can gather documents on their behalf.
In short: I handle the paperwork so you can focus on the real estate — and your clients feel supported every step of the way..