First I have to say that I hear you loud and clear! The temptation to purchase these homes has been so great. There is no doubt I will end up with a bunch of homes from this business.
Anyway, I think the best method here is to simply get a pre-approval letter from any mortgage company and submit that with the package. Once the bank sends the approval letter, they give you closing instructions. I have yet to see the closing instructions say it must close with the mortgage company that the package was submitted with.
As far as listing the property, that is your choice. My feelings are if you make enough of an argument on property condition, market conditions, etc. (THE VALUE) The bank does not care if the property is listed on the MLS. The basis of the short sale is the sellers financial situation and the "True Value" of the property, not on if the property has been listed (although this sometimes helps). Remember what the coaches said...80% net to the bank. This is what the bank is really focused on, not on if the property is in the MLS. Many investors (not realtors) do short sales where the property never sees the MLS and they are successful in getting them....why not us!!
This is all my own opinion. I have been handling foreclosures for years now. But, the Short Sale side of my business is only about two months old. I have now completed three short sales (the rush getting these approved is unreal), have seven more pending approval and have over fifteen active short sale listings. So i am no where near an expert, but I think my opinion may hold some merit.
