Tampa Bay Area, (July 24, 2009) – Responding to a need for specific guidelines on working with short sales, Prudential Tropical Realty has introduced a comprehensive program to assist sales executives and their clients in this kind of transaction.

According to Rob Hilliker, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Prudential Tropical Realty, a significant increase in short sale activity created a need to establish policies and procedures to ensure the professional execution of such a complex transaction. Figures compiled from across the greater Tampa Bay area show that approximately 20-30 percent of properties currently in inventory are listed as short sales. Approximately 10 percent of the closings currently taking place can be attributed to short sales.

“Because short sales account for so much of our real estate activity now, we felt it important for Prudential Tropical Realty to lead the way by taking a proactive approach to a dilemma facing many homeowners today,” Hilliker explained. “After months of research and legal consultation we have developed a program that streamlines the short sale process for our sales executives while providing assistance to our home sellers at the highest level in this type of transaction.”

According to Hilliker, having such a carefully planned program in place produces several benefits for the company’s sales executives as well as their clients. Some of these benefits include:

• Increased likelihood the property will close
• Obtaining highest and best price for clients
• Utilization of legally approved forms and documentation
• No 3rd party wholesaling of properties
• Free consultation with real estate attorney specializing in short sales, foreclosure rescue and negotiating deficiencies.
• Professional mitigation

The short sale program is supervised by Short Sale Coordinator Bob Gascon, a real estate professional with more than 30 years of experience. A member of Prudential Tropical Realty’s management team since 2007, Gascon is extremely well versed in short sale transactions. “As conscientious real estate professionals, it is our responsibility first and foremost to always represent the best interests of our clients,” stated Hilliker.

“Our short sale program is yet another illustration of our mission to deliver a world class experience…one client at a time.”