I am always surprised at how the narrative of many "short sale" listings start with the obvious: "short sale, seller motivated."

Perhaps I am missing something but I would think that most, if not all, short sellers are motivated. 

I think a much more important piece of information that could be included would be this:

"short sale, lender motivated."

Selling your home is a stressful process that should not be entered into lightly.  A few years ago a seller's stress mostly consisted mostly of "which offer do I accept?"

I am a realist. 

To be able to discern the lender's motivation is almost impossible.  Sure you can discuss the process with the lender's loss mitigation folks.  Sure you can get an offer accepted or rejected at some point.  Sure you can evaluate the seller's motivation but not rarely the lender.  I have read a couple of listings where the agent remarks "Bank Says Make Offer!"  I wonder, really?  Did they say that?  And if there are two lenders which one is motivated?  Bet it is not the second place lien holder!

If you truly could assess the lender's motivation then you would not have to submit 14 offers the way Broker Bryant Tutas in Poinciana Florida does for his buyers!

Why shouldn't the seller be motivated?  It really is not fashionable to own vacant houses...at least not yet!

Gary Waters, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, putting buyers and sellers together along Florida's Space Coast.