Once the early adapters have spread the current RE "virus" or strategy at too many meetups, and the trend has become a fashion for all, most don't realize, that it's too late to jump on that band wagon.

Hopefully the seller has an experienced negotiator who will get answers out of the lender(s) in a timely fashion so that the process isn’t too drawn out.Would be happy to refer an experienced realtor in the Portland area who is familiar with short sales, if you are looking for one.

I do it the old fashion way .

I do agree with @Anthony R. that you need to be sure to include enough in your budget for repairs and also Capital Expenditures (new roof, furnace, etc) I think @Ben Leybovich did a study a while back and found the average home in American needed about $250 in repairs per month if you really figure in everything that will eventually wear out (the entire home accept the foundation and framing).

At the heart of this issue is the fact that Americans have a culture of buying too many things and we can’t seem to get rid of most of it.

I've been using two cards; Chase Slate and American Express Hilton Rewards.

American Samoa; Arizona; California; Colorado; Georgia; Idaho; Kentucky; Michigan; Mississippi; Nebraska; New Jersey; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Vermont; Virgin Islands; and Wisconsin.Qualified Opportunity Zones retain this designation for 10 years.

If the sales price is high enough, First American title might do it

You might look at American Home Owner Preservation. 

However that and funeral services are the biggest money sink the average American has.