Tag: CDPE

The Step-by-Step Short Sale Process in Florida Explained

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Short Sales: A Step-by-Step Guide for Orlando Homeowners

The short sale process allows an Orlando homeowner to sell their property for less than the mortgage balance with lender approval. The process includes listing the home, receiving an offer, submitting a lender package, completing a lender valuation, and waiting for approval—typically taking 3–6 months depending on the lender.

What Is a Short Sale?

A short sale happens when a homeowner owes more on their mortgage than the home is worth and the lender agrees to accept less than the full balance. This option is commonly used to avoid foreclosure and can be a practical exit strategy for distressed homeowners in Central Florida.

The Short Sale Process Explained Step by Step

1. Financial Hardship Is Identified

Lenders do not approve short sales casually. You must show a legitimate hardship such as job loss, medical issues, divorce, death of a spouse, or unaffordable payment increases.

2. Hire a Qualified Short Sale Realtor

Short sales are paperwork-heavy and lender-driven. As an experienced Orlando short sale expert, I handle lender communication, timelines, and negotiations so sellers don’t make costly mistakes.

3. List the Home at Market Value

The home must be priced realistically. Lenders will not approve inflated prices or fire-sale pricing without justification.

4. Receive and Accept an Offer

The seller accepts an offer subject to lender approval. This is not a normal transaction—the lender has final say.

5. Submit the Short Sale Package to the Lender

This includes financials, hardship letter, listing agreement, executed contract, and authorization forms.

6. Lender Orders a Valuation

The lender typically orders a BPO or appraisal to determine current market value.

7. Negotiation and Approval

The lender may counter the offer, request seller contributions, or approve the sale outright.

8. Closing the Short Sale

Once approved, the transaction moves to closing just like a traditional sale—only with tighter deadlines.

Short Sale Timeline: What to Expect

Stage Typical Timeframe
Listing to Offer 2–6 weeks
Lender Review 60–120 days
Approval to Closing 30 days

Pros and Cons of a Short Sale

Pros

  • Avoid foreclosure
  • Less credit damage than foreclosure
  • Potential mortgage forgiveness
  • More control over the outcome

Cons

  • Longer timeline
  • No guaranteed approval
  • Buyer uncertainty
  • Extensive documentation

Common Short Sale Mistakes to Avoid

  • Waiting too long to act
  • Hiring an inexperienced agent
  • Ignoring lender requests
  • Accepting unrealistic offers

How the Short Sale Process Works in Orlando, Florida

In Orlando and across Central Florida, short sales are still common due to fluctuating home values, investor-owned properties, and rising insurance and tax costs. Local lenders often require strict pricing justification and fast responses once approval is issued.

I’ve successfully handled hundreds of short sale files and understand how local lenders, asset managers, and title companies operate here. That experience matters.

My Experience With Short Sales

I’m a Certified Distressed Property Expert with extensive hands-on experience navigating complex short sale approvals across Central Florida. I don’t hand these files to assistants—I manage them personally because details decide outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a short sale take?

Most Orlando short sales take 3–6 months, depending on the lender and completeness of the file.

Will I owe money after a short sale?

Many lenders forgive the deficiency, but this must be negotiated and confirmed in writing.

Does a short sale hurt my credit?

Yes, but significantly less than foreclosure.

Can I buy another home after a short sale?

Often within 2–3 years, sometimes sooner with strong compensating factors.

Do I need to be behind on payments?

No, but you must show a legitimate hardship.

Can investors buy short sale homes?

Yes, as long as the offer meets lender requirements.

Can a short sale stop foreclosure?

Yes, if started early and managed correctly.

Is a short sale better than letting the bank take the house?

In most cases, absolutely.

Next Steps: Talk to a Real Orlando Short Sale Expert

If you’re behind on payments or heading toward foreclosure, timing matters. The earlier you act, the more leverage you have.

Orlando Realty Consultants
Phone: 407-902-7750
Service Area: Central Florida

Let’s talk through your options honestly and figure out the smartest path forward.

Orlando short sale expert

ur future.

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Alternatives To Foreclosure Exposed!

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Foreclosure can be a devastating situation for homeowners as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Despite an improving economy in the Orlando, Florida area, it is important that distressed homeowners are fully aware of all the alternatives to foreclosure that are available to them. As a certified distressed property expert [CDPE], I try to ensure that homeowners in foreclosure have the latest most up-to-date information available so that they can make the most informed decision possible based on their situation.


Although lenders have the ability to start foreclosure proceedings after one payment is missed they will usually allow a homeowner to miss up to three mortgage payments before officially starting the foreclosure process. A short sale can substantially minimize the damage to someone’s future loan eligibility, credit rating, security clearance, and even employment with some companies.

It’s important to know that a foreclosure can stay on someone’s record for up to seven long years. Now more than ever, distressed homeowners should take every precaution available to them to try and protect their credit.

A short sale is the most popular way to avoid foreclosure and save your credit. However, there are several other alternatives available to homeowners wanting to keep their houses.

1- Deed in lieu- Basically a voluntary foreclosure where the homeowner signs the property over to the lender instead of going through the foreclosure process. However, you should be aware that a “deed in lieu” will still show up as a foreclosure on your credit report.

2- Loan modification- This is when a lender adjusts the terms of a loan making it more affordable to the homeowner so that they can remain in their home. Loan modifications can be tricky and many times even though the payment is reduced, the principal remains the same or even more. The best loan modification scenario is when the lender reduces both the principal amount of the loan as well as the interest.

3- Bankruptcy- Usually, a chapter 13 bankruptcy is the best way to save your house from foreclosure. It allows the homeowner to make up missed mortgage payments through a repayment plan and get back on track. A chapter 7 bankruptcy, while providing some temporary relief from foreclosure, usually won’t prevent the foreclosure of a home. The bad news is that having a bankruptcy on your record is just as bad as having a foreclosure.

Consult with a Certified Distressed Property Expert

A realtor with a CDPE designation has the knowledge and the tools to efficiently and ethically pursue alternatives to foreclosure, especially short sales. In addition to specialized training in dealing with distressed properties, CDPE agents are connected to an entire network of other professionals in this niche which allows them to remain up-to-date on the complex and ever-changing Orlando real estate market.

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