Systems and methods of initiating and processing a real estate short sale are disclosed. The methods include the facilitator receiving from a lender or another party associated with a loan a notification identifying a property as a distressed property. The facilitator may secure from the lender an agreement to accept less than 100% of a loan value secured by the property if the property is sold. The facilitator may also confirm that the property and the property owner meet criteria established by a short sale processor.