Short Sale - enticing the seller

[Jeff Caravalho]

Apparently in a short sale the seller has a say in who gets to start going at it with the bank,(who locks it up).  My Realtor suggested I put in my offer with $1500 cash for the seller, but since we can't come out & say that, we'd say its for keeping the appliances, etc.).  My question is should I offer the seller more money ($5,000) and say it's for appliances, flooring & other building materials I saw when I did a walk thru?  Basically we're trying to entice him into choosing us.  I'd like to know your strategy for locking up a property like this.  Thx for any tips!