It can be frustrating, can’t it? The answer to this question is varied.
The MLS (multiple listing service) for any given area has a particular way in which it categorizes its listings. For instance, in the Alameda County, Contra Costa County associations of Realtors, a short sale that has had an offer, is listed as ‘pending sale, lender approval (required). So the pending status would remove it from the active listing category.
A neighboring MLS uses a different status on its short sales – Active, pending lender approval. So that status shows up when you research active listings on consumer sites (such as Trulia, Zillow, etc).
In other cases, the listing agent adds their listing information to the consumer site manually, entering an “Active” status. That status then needs to be updated when an accepted offer is submitted. Or, if you’ve found the listing information on a virtual tour site, again, the status may need to be manually updated.
With syndication of so many sites that aggregate listing information, it is next to impossible to find out where the listing may have appeared in order to update the status.
Your best bet when you get serious about a home purchase, is to partner with a local real estate agent, getting listing information direct from the local MLS. Your interaction with a single agent about listing and the market in general, will give you consistent and much more timely information.
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