The problem with some listing status modifiers such as "active short contingent" in the Sacramento MLS -- and other MLS systems around the country -- is that home buyers don't know what they mean. Some agents don't understand the modifiers either. In fact, MetroList abbreviates this modifier as "active short cont," which seems to add to the confusion. People wonder are they talking about writing a contract on a short sale? What does it mean?

I uncheck this status when I set up automatic MLS listings for my prospective home buyers. But, then they pop around other web sites and email me with questions about them anyway.

As a Sacramento short sale agent, daily I receive dozens of phone calls from agents and home buyers asking questions about my active short contingent listings. Sometimes the calls come one right after the other, bam, bam, bam, and although I always try to answer my phone, I may not have enough time to explain the entire history of an active short contingent listing nor to educate callers.

I used to try, though. This is my active short contingent script: "This listing is active short contingent. This means the seller has accepted an offer. We have received 16 offers (or whatever number) on this home, most thousands and thousands over the list price. Plus, we have a fully executed and signed contract in back-up position. Only one offer was sent to the bank, and that's the offer the seller first signed. That buyer is committed and has deposited funds into escrow. If the first buyer cancels the contract, we will go to the back-up buyer. If that buyer cancels the contract, we have 14 more buyers behind him."

But sometimes callers don't listen. They reply: "Um, how many bedrooms does it have?"

Now I say that I'm sorry, but the home is no longer available.

What do you mean it's no longer available?

It means the home is no longer available.

Can I write an offer?

I can't stop you from writing an offer, but it may be a waste of your time.

Why is that?

Because the home is no longer available.

An agent called me a few days ago about an active short contingent home that has a bad foundation. We are very close to closing on this and expect to receive short sale approval from the bank any day now. Received tons and tons of offers. All-cash offers, way over the list price. I can't wait for this to go into pending status so the torture will cease. I went through my this-home-is-not-available-speech, but the agent wouldn't give up. So I launched into my active-short-contingent-script and yet the agent asked, "Well, what's wrong with the foundation?"

What difference does it make if you can't buy it? She started to laugh, "I like you," she giggled.