While most folks have a negative perspective on short sales, there is actually a bright side for sellers and buyers. As a short sale seller it allows you to take control of a bad situation, get some cash into your pockets (relocation assistance), and gets your credit on the road to recovery. While foreclosures put a 5-7 year scar on your credit, many of my short sellers are buying homes within 2 years. On the investment side, they create a great opportunity to negotiate directly with the bank without competition and before the property is auctioned off at a foreclosure auction where you have to compete with a ton of investors. http://BTRealtyGroup.com.