For those millions of struggling home owners currently out there hoping that they can figure out a way to avoid a foreclosure, foreclosures and short sales go hand in hand for many of them. Why are foreclosures and short sales so joined at the hip you might be asking yourself? Well because foreclosures and short sales are directly related to the current state of the mortgage market. As more banks experience enormous losses, mostly fueled by the sub prime crisis and a dwindling economy, foreclosures and short sales and quickly becoming the norm for many borrowers who otherwise would have to allow the bank to seize their house. With foreclosures and short sales the banks allow the currently behind borrower to try and sell the home for less money that they currently owe the bank, were they to pay off that loan today. The bank agrees to take less money from the note because they would lose even more money than that if they were to follow through with a traditional foreclosure. So for people looking to find the best deals on a home, check out short sale homes for sale, you will not find a home any cheaper than in this market.