Susan- The loss mitigation dept at CW is currently restructuring and the negotiators are not calling back for 20 days. Our attorney has 250+ files with CW and he just received a written notice that LM is basically shut down for 20, they did the same thing to their REO dept last month. So this may mean that they are streamlining the process and getting more help! Experienced help! 

Well dang -- that is not good news for the people waiting to hear about thier offers.  Heck, I'd just like them to tell us that.  Thanks for the info.  I've heard that CW is committed to increasing thier short sale approvals and reducing thier foreclosures.... hmmmm I guess time will tell.  Thanks for the information.

Countrywide is the most inept group of loss mitigation buffoons in the industry right now. I have 6 short sales I'm working on with them, and they bungled each of them--BADLY.

 Couple of tips:

 When you call the loss mitigation department, call this number: (866) 880-1232. This will actually get you to a live person with no recorded message foolishness.

 When you talk to one of the peons in loss mit, ask them who your negotiations have been assigned to. Ask them to spell this person's name clearly. If they tell you your negotiator's name is John Smith, you now know that John Smith's direct email address is john[underscore]smith@countrywide.com.  Email him directly with the loan number only as the subject line.

If he doesn't get back with you in a timely fashion, call loss mit again. This time, explain to the peon that you've been waiting for Mr. Smith to call you for weeks. Ask them who Mr. Smith's direct supervisor is. Ask them to spell the name clearly. Yup, you got it, repeat above.

Send more information through email. I regularly send them new comparables demonstrating clearly that the longer they take, the more money they are losing. Get the HOA bills and send them over. Get the lein that the HOA has filed and send it over. Write a nice letter stating that the buyers have threatened to walk on the deal if they don't hear something definitive within 3 business days. That kinda stuff.

 Unfortunately, you have to make yourself a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS to Countrywide, or ABSOLUTELY NOTHING GETS DONE. They are completely inept. You must use a cattle prod on them daily.

Allen

I placed a bid on a short sale in early February and had no action go on for quite a while.  When the offer expired, I started looking at other homes for sale then my agent received a call from the selling agent about a month ago.

Someone told the seller's agent to get my finance guy (aka buyer's lender) to call CW and explain that I qualified and was ready to go.  The seller gave CW a document allowing my lender to talk to CW about the situation 3 weeks ago.  My lender contacted CW, kept everything very positive, explained we qualified with his group and explained that the offer was within 10% of the appraisal.  Needless to say documents have been signed except from one CW department (how many sign, I have no clue) and was told this last group should be signing it off within the next few days.

I don't know if that helps anybody else out there but thought it worthwhile mentioning.

I placed a bid on a short sale in early February and had no action go on for quite a while.  When the offer expired, I started looking at other homes for sale then my agent received a call from the selling agent about a month ago.

Someone told the seller's agent to get my finance guy (aka buyer's lender) to call CW and explain that I qualified and was ready to go.  The seller gave CW a document allowing my lender to talk to CW about the situation 3 weeks ago.  My lender contacted CW, kept everything very positive, explained we qualified with his group and explained that the offer was within 10% of the appraisal.  Needless to say documents have been signed except from one CW department (how many sign, I have no clue) and was told this last group should be signing it off within the next few days.

I don't know if that helps anybody else out there but thought it worthwhile mentioning.

I placed a bid on a short sale in early February and had no action go on for quite a while.  When the offer expired, I started looking at other homes for sale then my agent received a call from the selling agent about a month ago.

Someone told the seller's agent to get my finance guy (aka buyer's lender) to call CW and explain that I qualified and was ready to go.  The seller gave CW a document allowing my lender to talk to CW about the situation 3 weeks ago.  My lender contacted CW, kept everything very positive, explained we qualified with his group and explained that the offer was within 10% of the appraisal.  Needless to say documents have been signed except from one CW department (how many sign, I have no clue) and was told this last group should be signing it off within the next few days.

I don't know if that helps anybody else out there but thought it worthwhile mentioning.

I am experiencing the same issue.  These people are the most inept I have ever had the misfortune to be stuck with.  We have an offer on a house, have for 10 weeks now, and still they have not accepted my offer.  I have a loss mitigator assigned, and my last update was they were waiting to get some signed paperwork back from the owner. 

Have any of you actually closed on your properties yet?  What kind of timeframes were you stuck with while working for this pathetic excuse of a company?

As I am not a realtor, just a buyer, is there anything I can do to speed up the process?

Great information you all.  Anyone just give the listing back when it's Countrywide and PMI you are dealing with? I'm on the verge...