I can speak from experience and they are not the best to try work with.  When you do get a live body they won't talk to you unless there is a signed form from the seller stating they can talk to you.  I literally had a place under-contract , when title called for payoff, countrywide had so many additional fees and penelties added in the seller couldn't close, the buyer wouldn't make up the difference (over 8,000 dollars) and CW "needed" at least 2 months to consider a short sale.  Of course the buyer wouldn't wait.  Long story short CW got the house back and sold it 8 mo later for less then they would have gotten with the first contract.  stinks,  sellers were totally clueless to what the company was doing to them.  That was several years ago and I still feel sick when I hear the name CountryWide.  I have only closed two deals with them since them, I never refer to them.

I wish you well but the fastest approach is to have the client call them and add you to the list of contract people.  Hopefully their policies have change lately and they are more willing to help get a sale done.   (sounds like I am still upset- sorry)   cheryl 

Bad news... we have had a contract submitted to them for over 4 weeks and we STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ASSIGNED A NEGOTIATOR!!! 

www.thecenturytreereader.com

Hello all, I am an agent for a major short sale solution company based out of south Florida and WAS having trouble throughout the short sale 'process' as well with countrywide. What I can tell you is a couple months ago I was given a contact that is actually the head of the shortsale department. I struck gold!  All she does is manages the shortsale group. If you contact her and leave a voice mail she will return your calls, however several messages should be left on her voice mail until you have a returned call. It seemed as if the more times you called her the more of a priority she took in the situation. Her name is Janie Inman, Her direct number is 9724985451.  It would not hurt to follow up each phone call if you don't get a hold of her with an email as well. Her email is Janie_Inman@countrywide.com .(There is an underscore between the first and last name) However just a word for the wise..tell her you were "ADVISED TO CALL HER " by another phone rep. If you tell her you found out this info. on a web blog, she will probably just ignore your request. Just be persistant and firm when leaving a voice mail or when talking to her and you will find success.

I was told by a countrywide rep it take 30 days to get assigned a negotitar.  I have a short sale right now so we will see what happens.