It's been several years now since we have taken and sold listings of homes for sale that are 

" Subject to Lenders Approval of a Short Sale" .

The process of getting these to close successfully has been, for the most part, becoming easier.

Perhaps it is from lessons learned along the way & doing the footwork and homework upfront before even agreeing to accept the listing and put a 'short sale' home on the market.

Lately, however,  articles in major publications i.e 'Fewer Short Sales Come Up Short', point out that the part of the short sale process we do not control - the loss mitigation departments of lenders - are being more cooperative and responsive about getting short sales done.

In Indiana this year, a new law...HB1359 has helped bring answers to short sale offers within a 30 day time frame.

Since we've noticed this change in NW Indiana short sales....we are even accepting short sale referrals in our market area now from other Real Estate Brokers as a result. Just last week we closed on a short sale that was a referral from another REALTOR.

The lender complied with the new state law and the home closed 29 days after the offer was accepted by the lender! (59 days total from day of written offer).

Total Market Time on this Home = From For Sale Sign Up to signing the closing documents = 81 days in all.  This is a relatively short market time for any home in NW Indiana, let alone a short sale property (where 3rd party negotiations, communications and many requirements above and beyond the usual and customary offer to purchase can lengthen the process of getting the deal closed :)

With cooperative sellers, saleable property and reasonable lenders, short sales in NW Indiana are closing easier & quicker than in years past :)