A true short sale, usually, could not be listed for that long as the bank likely would have foreclosed months earlier - the foreclosure process is only 6 months here in Florida - or the owner's request for short sale status would have been denied by the bank. In the latter case, the sale could not be a short sale as written authorization from the bank is required. So be careful what you read, and even more careful who you work with and from whom you buy.

Purchasing a Short sale property can be a good investment and doesn't have to be difficult. But it is a little different from the typical transaction and could take far longer to close. Many banks fail to respond to offers in a timely manner and, once a contract is accepted, can take longer than typical periods to close. If your agent/broker doesn't have an understanding of these issues, find a different agent/broker.