So what is main issue you are currently having with selling properties

[NealRM]

I was just interested, are agents having more problems finding buyers or more problems with getting the loans approved for the buyers? What is the biggest stumbling block for selling a property?

When you reply, specify what are of the country you are in.

Thanks,

[Ron Tarvin]

Lead time on loans seems to be a big issue now. My lenders are complaining of long lead times to get through underwriting as new underwriting guidelines are put in place to limit risk to lenders.

A general lack of activity seems to have been an issue over the last couple of months so showings are down. I have listings that have only had one or two showings a month and SHOULD be getting more showings than that.

I am in the West Houston Texas (Katy Texas) market area!

[rachael24]

There are many people in the same boat as you, Ron...I am in NY, and everyone I talk to is having the same issues.

[DMG]

Motivation seems to be the biggest issue in my area right now. Motivation meaning there is about 9 months worth of inventory on the market and buyers "seem" to want to see them all. Buyers used to look at 3-5 homes an buy not to long ago here and now it's not uncommon to see them look at 12-15 homes, the choices for them create less urgency and hence make longer market times for listings agent's such as myself. I think at least in my area we need to be sharper on honing in on the motivation for purchasing sooner rather than assuming a better deal will come along because the media states "buyers market" every other day. We are concentrating more and more on listening better to understand why the buyer wanted to move in the first place, it's easy for buyers to loose track in a market like this where it appears the homes are not going anywhere so many take the time, sometimes they loose out because of it however it still happens.

Getting listings is not much different than it ever was except about 25% of the sellers I speak with have issues of how to price correctly, they are stuck with 2002-2004 prices and for some it's more difficult to impress upon them the current market pricing and where we need to be.

It would be interesting to keep this thread going with more input as I would assume this is a hot topic for many agents, how to overcome current stumbling blocks etc to make listings move and get buyers in.

I am located in Minnesota...

[jamesww]

The biggest issue in my eyes right now is buyers being told by L.O.s that they can get them approved and then are never able to get loan commitment. This makes every deal a nail bitter for everyone involved in the transaction.

[DMG]

Agreed...we see that also and yes it makes a bad deal for everyone and really reflects on us, the pro's in the deal. It seems more important than ever to be aligned with a LO that is sharp on on his or her game!

[Bhamhomes]

I'm 90 miles north of Seattle, WA and we are still in a buyers market...but things have slowly picked up. Our biggest issue is with buyers who are making offers having to sell something first. I've heard that a lot in the past year...where there are a lot of contingent offers.

In our area mortgage loans have returned to more traditional types and yes lending laws have definitely toughened. In my experience...this is pretty typical to have gov't interaction or should I say overreaction to the mortgage crisis. There have been a lot of new laws introduced and many programs that have gone by the wayside. Within time though...there will be an easing of some of the laws and adjustments here and there once things settle out and we will get back to normal. Hopefully we won't see too many of the bad type of loans that got a lot of buyers in trouble over the last 5 years.

[escapeso]

There seem to be less buyers. And some of the buyers that would have been approved for a loan last year cant get a loan this year.

[lprest]

No buyers. We had a lot of buyers coming from other areas. Since they often can't sell their homes there, they can't move here.

[cookarikappou]

i guess it is a case to case basis. It is hard to find a buyer who has no problem in getting loans approved.