Short sales in 2026 may not be making headlines yet, but Cristina Gaspar says the numbers already tell a different story.
Last year saw roughly 30,000 approved short sales and about 45,000 repossessions, and she believes many of those homeowners could have been helped.
Cristina, co-founder and president of Mr. Short Sale, joins James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson to explain how short sales in 2026 work, who they help, and why agents should be paying attention now.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How a short sale works and why deficiency waivers matter
- Why the buyer, not the seller, pays the short sale fee
- Why low-down-payment FHA loans are driving new distress
- The biggest myth agents believe about short sale commissions
- Why doing a short sale on your own can put everyone at risk
Cristina explains that buyers in today’s short sales are typically getting properties at 70% to 88% of market value, with most files closing in three to six months. Agents are paid by the lender, usually 5% to 6%, and Mr. Short Sale doesn’t take a cut of their commission.
She also shares why vetting comes first. Many homeowners who call don’t actually need a short sale. One client was told she had to do one, and instead walked away from the closing table with $150,000 in equity.
Her advice for agents heading into a tougher market: don’t be afraid of distressed real estate. Whether it’s short sales, REOs, or investment properties, there’s real business to be built in a space most agents avoid.
Links mentioned during the episode:
Connect with our guest, Cristina Gaspar:
Learn more about Mr. Short Sale:
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