Short sales and foreclosures hurt BUYERS too.

You could turn it around quickly by offering more than the asking price such that it is no longer a short sale.

In such a circumstance, can it even be said that an asking price exists, as such?

Nope. I rejected a few offers by vultures which were way too low. Didn’t go to the bank with them because it would just be a waste of time. The first legitimate offer was accepted by the bank and it went pretty quick after that.