This document discusses the delays that often occur when dealing with foreclosures and short sales in real estate. It notes that "time is of the essence" contracts do not always apply in this context due to overwhelmed lenders. The document outlines one agent's experience over several months submitting multiple offers for a client that were declined or resulted in long waits for responses from lenders. It recommends setting realistic timelines upfront and discussing commissions carefully given the unpredictability of short sale and foreclosure timelines.