Condo in California, loan with Indymac Bank. If I am delinquent for 3 months and disapproved for a loan modification, how much longer will I have to attempt a short sale?

Most attorneys are charging $2,000 plus, to ‘help’ people in California sell their homes with a short sale. Surely, these people are already in financial trouble so why not just hire a competent realtor yourself & pay other bills.
It was my understanding that the seller does not pay the realtor.

SO far in the 2 month. The bank told us everything was good and should have know by yesterday but yesterday they said they going have it reappraised. It doesnt make sense because the people living in it now are not even paying for it, so they are living for free. I can wait like another month but not another 4??
The seller approved our bid, so do you think this will get approved??? Or should we withdrawal??
20 percent our offer 195,000 and the apprasial was 225,000.

How many short sales of properties occur every year in the United States? Historical data would be awesome too. I’m having a hard time finding this information.