NJ Short Sale Question

[Nidia C.]

Hi everyone! I am currently helping a buyer purchase off market properties in Passaic County. I found a motivated seller, and we agreed on a price after the seller explained that there was no mortgage on the house or any title issues. We were getting ready to sign the contract when the seller mentioned that he filed for bankruptcy, so HE was no longer responsible for the total owed on the house, but money is owed (mortgage and lien). More money is owed than what the property is worth, so we came to the conclusion that we need to do a short sale.

My question is, do we need a realtor to do the short sale, or can the real estate attorney do it without an agent?

Also, if we do the short sale, is there some type of contract we can sign to help us obtain the property after?