How long does a short sale take in Florida?
Most Florida short sales take 3 to 6 months from listing to closing. The lender's review alone usually runs 60 to 120 days once it has a complete package and a signed offer. The biggest delays come from incomplete paperwork, second mortgages and HOA liens.
The usual timeline
- Week 1–2: Gather the package. Authorization to release information, hardship letter, two years of tax returns, two months of pay stubs and bank statements, and the lender's own forms.
- Week 1–4: List and get an offer. A short sale must be listed on the MLS and needs a real, signed purchase contract before the lender will review it. Keep it on the market at least 6 days before accepting an offer. The lender needs to see the home was actually marketed, and an offer accepted sooner can get the short sale declined.
- Day 30–60: The lender orders a BPO. A local agent values the property for the bank. This number drives the whole decision.
- Day 60–120: Negotiation and approval. The lender counters, asks for more documents, or approves. Second-mortgage holders and HOAs negotiate separately.
- 30–45 days after approval: Close. Approval letters expire, so the buyer has to be ready to close on time.
How long does foreclosure take in your state?
Get the free 50-state Foreclosure Timeline Report.
SEND ME THE FREE REPORTWhy Florida gives you more time than most states
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. The lender has to sue the homeowner in court, and a typical case runs 8 to 14 months from the first missed payment to the auction. That built-in time is what makes a short sale workable. The best time to start is 30 to 150 days after the first missed payment, before the lawsuit (lis pendens) is filed and every investor can see it.
What slows a short sale down
- Missing or outdated documents. Lenders want statements no older than 30–60 days.
- A second mortgage or HOA lien that also has to agree to take less.
- A low offer that doesn't match the lender's BPO value.
- A buyer who walks during the wait. Cash or well-financed buyers who expect a 90-day approval hold up best.
A scheduled foreclosure sale date can still be postponed while a complete short sale is under review, but that is not automatic. Ask the lender, in writing, to postpone the sale.
Next step: See how long foreclosure takes in your state with the free Foreclosure Timeline Report. → Get the free Foreclosure Timeline Report →