It is simply an online platform where communications occur, and documents are stored, between the banks and those negotiating short sales.  

Ian Colville There are products in the marketplace address your issue, but they are not delivered through a retail agent channel. 

Instead, I would just communicate with him regularly and make sure he knows you are paying close attention to the move-out. 

Wholesaling101 You Tube ChannelKent Clothier – You Tube Memphs Invest channel

I've also heard that using a realtor, particularly on larger deals, would only slow down the negotiating process and introduce another layer of communication that could cause misunderstandings and confusion.I am a newbie and wanted to get feedback from the BP community on whether I should continue to use her or start negotiating deals myself?

That requires to entities or departments actually communicating. :)

Any references should have good communication skills and do quality work.

If you are trying to do this outside of the normal channels I would say Craig's List would be the most highly read location.

My property manager told me communication with them is also very hard as well.

Then don't forget the issues working in an occupied unit (noise, communication, tripping, etc).....