Banks negotiate different than individual property owners. They have portfolios of properties they are managing, and their appetite for holding a property can vary daily based on what is happening on wall street, whether they are at month, quarter, or years end, and how much other property is moving off their books.
A few things to keep in mind with foreclosures:
1. It is typically a slow process. If you don't have time for a lengthy transaction, you are likely to be frustrated and may end up with a transaction that doesn't close. [note: I have done foreclosure deals in 30 days, but most take more like 90 days to complete - every situation is unique]
2. If it is a short sale, you are dealing with 2 other parties - the owner and the financial institution - more if there is more than one mortgage. Every party has to agree to get to a closing.
3. You need an agent you trust, that will represent you diligently, and that is detail oriented. One form filled out wrong could results in weeks of delay. If your agent hasn't done a foreclosure or short sale before, be sure their broker has, and that the broker is willing to provide a lot of support. The process is very important in these transactions.
