Traditionally, mortgage insurance groups have had to give the OK before a short sale can be processed on a property with a guaranteed loan.

Now, without that extra step, Fannie mortgage servicers may be able to speed up short sale approvals on Fannie-backed loans.

The PMI Group, which filed for bankruptcy in November, is the latest mortgage insurer this week to grant Fannie the authority to no longer wait for its approval on short sales. The other four mortgage insurers also giving Fannie the authority are: Genworth, MGIC, Republic Mortgage Insurance Co., and Radian Guaranty.

Regardless, Fannie has instructed its mortgage servicers to make sure a short sale does not conflict with any existing mortgage insurance coverage before approving it.