I am working on my first short sale with a USDA loan (BofA).  I have done quite a few FHA-PFS short sales over the past few months. I am assuming that the FHA-PFS process is fairly similar to the USDA-PFS process, though no one at BofA can really give me an overview USDA-PFS steps.  This particular homeowner has already attempted a loan modification with Bank of America, but his monthly mortgage payments actually went up and he cannot afford it.  He has decided to short sale his property.  The file seems to be stuck in the Home Retention Center.  The homeowner has called and spoken with his CRM multiple times stating that he wants to do a short sale.  She said that she would give him a "short sale recommendation" so that his file can move from the HRC to the Short Sale department.  The short sale file has yet to be opened.  The homeowner called his CRM again today and she told him that the fastest way to get a short sale file opened was to vacate his property.  Is this true?  I am afraid that USDA-PFS might have the same occupancy requirements of the FHA-PFS - which only allows a homeowner to vacate the property under certain circumstances and still qualify for the program.  Any guidance with this would be greatly appreciated.