
Banks cannot force a short sale. So what, you say? Well, this simple fact has eluded the banks and the pundits who believe banks can simply shift their liquidation efforts from REOs to short sales. The major banks in the settlement deal want to complete more short sales to reach their write-off quotas. Short sales count toward their settlement amount, and foreclosures do not. This explains much of the recent dramatic shift away from foreclosures. However, foreclosures are within the control of banks; they can force foreclosures. Short sales are not within the banks control. Sure, they can approve more short sales, and they have over the last few months, but they can do nothing to force delinquent mortgage squatters…[READ MORE]