In short sales, it is not unusual to receive the approval for the second lien just a few days prior to close of escrow.  This is the way it happened for our latest Oceanside Escrow.  The buyer's agent and lender were frequently updated of our short sale progress starting with submission 6 weeks ago.  Greentree approval received yesterday - (we already had approval from the 1st, Litton) - we should be closing on this one soon.