This year has brought some significant changes to the rights of lenders participating in short sales. In January 2011, a new California law was passed (SB 931) which required residential (1-4 units) lenders in first position who agree to accept a short sale, to accept the amount received in the short sale as payment in full on the loan. Now, effective July 15, 2011, that rule applies to junior lien holders as well (SB 458).
This is great news for short-sellers, but may not be such great news for potential short-sellers who have more than one lender on the property. Unless the loans were purchase money loans that provide protection against deficiency judgments, the new law could act as a disincentive for junior lenders to agree to a short sale.