You should definitely use a realtor that knows short sales really, really well. Indicators would be:

– This person should have completed multiple short sales.

– This person is knowledgeable about the specific behaviors of the different banks: what they are going to tend to ask for, what have been problems with closing deals with them in the past, etc.

– Familiar with all the laws and processes of distressed sales.

If they’re not actively working short sales and
REO properties on a regular basis, your chances of closing the sale are lessened.