The answer is maybe. It is not uncommon for a short sale seller in financial distress to have unpaid property taxes. During the housing boom, many lenders did not require tax and insurance impounds.
I just received short sale approval from Wells Fargo in 26 days! It was a total of twenty six days from when the short sale application was submitted to the lender until I received the short sale approval letter in my email box.
One of the worst things that distressed Central Coast homeowners do is waiting until the clock is ticking before contacting a short sale agent. When does the clock start ticking? I tell people it starts ticking when you stop paying. Ideally, if you know a financial hardship is imminent, you should begin exploring your options, including a short sale, before any payments are even missed. In its recent Open Letter on Short Sales, the California Association Realtors reports that according to surveyed California Realtors® only about three out of five short sales close.
There is a tremendous amount of interest in buying second homes in this market. Due to the financial and housing crisis, some are taking the opportunity to buy a vacation home on the central coast. Although, we have most certainly seen significant price reductions, foreclosure activity is relatively low in Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach compared to the nearby northern Santa Barbara communities of Santa Maria, Orcutt, & Lompoc.