Short sales have been seen as a way to reduce the large number of foreclosures by allowing homeowners to 'sell' their homes for less than the amount that is owed on mortgage, however the wait to contract on these real estate deals tends to be so long that the deals are falling apart, leading homebuyers to look elsewhere and homeowners to foreclose on their homes anyway.

Many lenders are working towards reducing the short-sale approval times, real estate professionals are making clients aware of the lengthy process, but most importantly the Treasury Department is working towards providing lender incentives and moving allowances for homeowners in an effort to hasten the short-sale process.