What would be a primary reason for a seller to agree to a short sale?

A seller may agree to a short sale primarily to avoid foreclosure and minimize losses. In a situation where the seller owes more on the mortgage than the current market value of the property, a short sale can be a viable solution. This approach allows the seller to sell the home for less than the amount owed on the mortgage with the lender's approval. It can help prevent the damaging effects of foreclosure on the seller's credit report, can initiate a more amicable exit from financial difficulties, and ultimately lessen the financial burden by avoiding the costs associated with foreclosure proceedings.

The other options do not align with the primary motivations of a seller in a financially distressed situation. A bidding war, for instance, doesn’t typically occur in short sale scenarios since the lender sets the sale price, which is often below market value. Likewise, while a quick sale can be desirable, the priority for sellers in distress usually focuses more on preventing foreclosure than on the speed of the sale. Lastly, a market evaluation is not a primary goal; rather, the emphasis in a short sale is on facilitating a sale that the lender will accept to mitigate losses for all parties involved.