I think this is a bit over simplistic.  To qualify for a short sale, the homeowner and the lender must come to some form of agreement.  Just because you think you have a "hardship" or are under water, does not necessarily mean that you will qualify for a short sale.  The first step that any homeowner should take is to make contact with their primary lender.  If there are multiple liens on the home, the homeowner should ensure that the primary lender will discuss your situation with the other lenders.  All it takes is a home-equity lien holder to disagree and voila - you have no approved short sale.

Do you have the LMC certification in FL?  More and more lenders are working exclusively with LMC Realtors because they have the training, experience and knowledge of how to effectively address a homeowners concerns.  Loan modification, pre-foreclosure sales, short sales and auctions are all viable options that we discuss with our clients.

As with everything in real estate these days, short sales are not something to "dabble in."  Bad advice given to a homeowner can really put them in a bind.  With a LMC Realtor in the background, homeowners have more options available to them.