Everyone in the transaction can potentially benefit from a short sale:

1. The benefit for the bank is that short sales usually take less time and net the bank more money in the end.

2. The benefit to the home owner is that a short sale, at least at it stands today, is generally less destructive to their credit.

3. The benefit to the new buyer is that they usually get the home for less than market value so they have some built-in equity right from the get-go.