question about short sale viability

[Tim Wilkinson]

Hello Community,

I know of a couple properties that have mortgagors in default for a long time. Sometimes they are staying years without paying a payment. In Maine recently, I know a man who lived almost five years in his home without making a payment. 

My question is this:

Can a short sale offer be made directly to the bank without including the delinquent owner? Or do all short sales have to have the delinquent mortgagor included for ethical reasons? I only hear about short sales being initiated by the bank and an agent that specializes in them. 

Is it possible to avoid this whole process with an offer to the mortgagee?