CAR
Yes there are lots of buyers who back of SS. One of the most important things I can do on a SS is be able to recognize which buyers are most likely to stick. Experience has shown me that buyers represented exclusively by good experienced agents do a much better job at this. They stay in touch with me and I provide them update regularly. The agent recognizes my experience and track record and they know I will get done for them what I claim. Done properly the process works. On the otherhand, experience has shown that the buyer who calls me directly on a short sale is running all over the place dropping offers with several different agents/properties and will buy the 1st one they like that comes through. They have no confidence in the process and no way to differentiate between someone who knows how to get a SS done and someone who has less than a 50/50 chance so they play that game. Those people are far more dangerous to my seller clients outcome so I try to find a committed buyer who has a real reason to buy a specific house. When I hear someone tell me the buyer grew up in the neighborhood and their family lives there I smile. When I hear someone tell me my client is an investor I frown because I know that person has no affinity for the property and will buy anything else that makes $ and cents.

As for showing properties, I absolutely show them myself and would always try to do so for an organic sale. This thread was about getting a short sale. Just one thing to make clear, if there is a 5% commission I do not feel entitled to the 5% commission. I am entitled to 50% of that or 2.5% for epresenting the seller. The other 50% goes to whomever represents the buyer. In most causes I’m not comfortable representing both parties. Additionally, we dont just FOLLOW a transaction through escrow, we LEAD it through escrow and there is a big difference.