Not only to negotiate but also to close.

Ed, They've become pretty scarce in our market.  We have a short sale listing right now and response time seems to be around a week for each step.  That said, the initial offer from them was reasonable.

Ed Macias - just had one approved which I though was not going to happen. Took only 4 months (or less, actually....)

Are you kidding!  They were always difficult.  Now they are getting better.  There are very few of them.

I work with an attorney on short sales and they do the negotiations with the lenders.  It has worked out well.

No easier. my last one we got approval in less than 30 days from its start. The rule of thumb is if the seller is qualified for them, then it goes as well and as fast as the agent negotiating is experienced to do so, unless its Ocwen than your screwed, 

Short sales have dropped off in this area to the point that I hardly hear anyone mentioning them any longer.

No, about the same. Usually VERY difficult. One I have is closing in a few days, and the seller agreed to the contract in... wait for it... JANUARY. Yes, going on month 7 for this one.

They are never easy 

MORE difficult?  Not sure how they could become any more difficult.   That is like going to someplace worse than Hell, it is already bad enough to bring with.   We are seeing less and less short sales here, I educate buyers on what they are and what they can expect, majority ask me to NOT include short sales in their custom search portal I set them up on.

I'm dealing with a short sale right now that has been a nightmare.  Curious to hear if short sales have ever not been difficult

We're all out of short sales.