Position of subject before or after verb?

Question

I have the same question as Ryan B., below. “ In the last 2 examples, the subjects are:

Mis cortinas nuevas y las negociaciones.

Obviously, the position of the subjects is different. Is there any reason or do they have the same meaning?

Could, for example, the first 3 sentences be written as..

Secretarias con experiencia se buscan.

El periódico barato se vende aquí.

Apartamentos de lujo se venden en la playa.

?

Por fin...

Could the last two sentences be written as ..

Se han hecho mis cortinas nuevas en dos días.

Se harán las negociaciones pronto.

??

Silvia Piriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Devin P.
Great question!
In la pasiva refleja (the reflexive passive), word order is flexible, and both placements —subject before or after the verb— are grammatically correct.
However, there is a nuance in emphasis and register:

When the subject comes after the verb, the structure tends to sound more neutral or formal, and is very common in impersonal notices, ads, and announcements:
Se venden apartamentos de lujo en la playa. (Luxury apartments are sold on the beach.)

When the subject comes before the verb, it often sounds more conversational or emphatic, and may appear in everyday speech or narrative:
Los apartamentos de lujo se venden en la playa. (Luxury apartments are sold on the beach.)

So yes, your rephrased sentences are perfectly acceptable:

Se han hecho mis cortinas nuevas en dos días. 
Se harán las negociaciones pronto.

Both would be understood as passive constructions, with slightly more formal/impersonal tones due to subject-postposition.
Let me know if you'd like examples in other tenses or with different verbs!
Saludos
Silvia