Don't Venture into short sale waters without an Expert

And I will go further and advise that a buyer be sure they are working with an agent familiar in the ways of the short sale.  Advising them on the "short" odds, not falling in love with a short sale listing because of the "short" odds - 7-10% liklihood of a short sale vs foreclosure?

I have short sale listings and a short sale negotiator that has both real estate and mortgage side experience - and it still can be a trial.  I shudder when I see the amount of short sale listings in this area with agents I've never heard of in my 10 years.  That doesn't mean they won't do a good job - BUT, who are these people?  I see these short sale listings languish -with an offer - way beyond the 60-90 days max it should take to wrap this up.  I feel sorry for the buyers - and hope their agent advised them on the pros and cons - and the liklihood that if a specific home doesn't get foreclosed on because of the languishing, that the buyer who does end up with the home is usually the 2nd or 3rd buyer in because the others have died on the vine waiting and waiting for an answer.