On Your Mark, Get Set, Sign It!! - The Plight Of Today's Buyer

Here's the flip side of the coin. So I'm working as a buyer's agent all over San Diego County for these buyers, some have all cash, some with 20% down AND WE CAN'T LAND A HOUSE. At least not yet...

I'm following my own advice from my post as a listing agent: Short Sale Listing Agents Are (Not) Jerks!!. We're writing offers on day one of the listing, many times over list price giving the seller control of services (even though in California buyers are allowed a say in whose services are chosen. Yeah right, when pigs fly!). We're signing an umpteen page addendum and following the bank's checklist of hostage situation demands. My clients are nearly willing to give up their soul and my commission to close on a house, but to no avail and again I say, at least not yet.

Here's what's happening, or at least what I think I see (feel free to chime in if you see otherwise). Investors are coming out of the woodwork and have been for quite some time. Inventory is tight. Banks and listing agents that have control of the REO and short sale inventory are helping set the pace and the buyers are chasing them rabbits (houses) like greyhounds out of the gate. As in all races there's only one winner of course. I've met buyers that have untouched equity lines on their primary houses looking for deals to flip. I have clients that have saved for 10 of their working years to put down 20%. And then I have buyers with liquid, cold, hard, cash money. Where they got it, I haven't gotten that far with them yet. I just see the "Two Comma" account balances/statements when we submit the offers, an accomplishment we all aspire to attain I'm sure. Note - there are two commas in $1.0M.

To top it all off, we are getting beat to the punch by other buyers. Inconceivable! What is it? Are my buyers not quick enough? Not strong enough? Their agent not schmoozing enough? What? Well whatever it is, I know we will strike gold, find the needle in the haystack, get lucky, whatever you want to call it. I'm just glad my clients are patient and adaptable.

I'd love to hear what you're experiencing out there, tell me I'm not alone. For those of you hitting it big or often please, share your thoughts would you?

Thanks, good luck out there!

Marvin