That is a loaded question. There are several reasons.

• Short sales are here for awhile and whether representing  buyer or seller experience in short sales is a must.
• I was ridiculed when I first started doing short sales....mostly the ridicule came out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. Within a year it was seen that there was indeed value in short sales.
• I offer a valuable service to my clients who qualify for a short sale and please remember the word qualify.....Short sales are not necessarily the best option for my clients. I would rather see them stay in their homes if at all possible. So, Loan modification would be first choice. If not possible  I then have my clients seek professional legal advice either from a real estate tax attorney and/or CPA before proceeding with short sale for two reasons 1- To make sure a short sale would offer them the best protection and/or 2- Whether a bankruptcy is in the cards and a foreclosure would serve them better.(Remember bankruptcy laws have changed and many times the property is needed to have enough debt to qualify. Many agents have erred telling their clients to go ahead and do a short sale especially when the verbiage in the short sale approval letter states the bank retains it right to come back and collect for deficiency if the law allows) I have had clients whose financials were rather complicated and it really takes a professional tax person or attorney to have a firm grasp on my clients best interests financially.

Since I am not an attorney I do not advise but guide my clients to the correct sources for their information.

I am not here to judge. I offer expertise and knowledge to assist those who are going through this grueling process. I have seen the worse side of my clients. Stress does brings out the ugly. I firmly believe that these same clients will remember me to family and friends for real estate services  in the future as well as my clients when they get their feet back on the ground again.

I have learned a lot this past year and a half. I have come to understand further how this whole meltdown started as I see the same ineptness with the banks in short sales as was evident before the meltdown.

Despite the misgivings and ill fortunes of others I still believe owning a home makes good business sense as long as the buyer understands real estate is for the long term.

What happened these past years went from business sense to emotions with all of the hype in the news media about not being able to purchase unless you act immediately. Those who bought without contingencies still make me cringe.

Short sales are not short for the most part, except Wachovia is making a concerted effort to cut down the approval process immensely. Hopefully others will follow.

My hair has gotten grayer especially on those short sales that went from 6 -9 months before closing.

Most is 3-4 months.

Short sales do close. It does take patience. If a buyer finds a home that is exactly what they are seeking and it is a short sale I have no issue working with them on it. 

For those agents in this area who want nothing to do with short sale listings , send them my way. I will gladly pay you a referral fee upon closing.