Hi Cool Guy,
A lot of lenders like IndyMac Bank and CountryWide (although they've adopted a similar program to HOPE) won't negotiate until a NOD is recorded. It makes no sense, but urgency takes a priority place in line. I can't tell you how many times I see short sales price above or at market value. Draw the offers in by lowering the listing price at REO sales data to generate the offer and you'll get a response by both prospective buyers and the lender. The angle you take to the lender or record is that the "end cost" is less than enlisting a trustee service to initiate the foreclosure process. You have to push!
Hal, perfectly stated! I am a pro at these short sales and that was the exact advice I was going to give the original poster too.
You are one of the first people I have heard other than me complain about these 2 banks in the same sentence. Countrywide and Indymac are the absolute worst when dealing with the short sale process! If you have seen some of my previous posts around the board, you will understand my opinion.