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Where have all the buyers gone?

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes Realty

Is it just me or did all buyers just fall of the face of the earth?  I am located in central NJ and I had a little spurt of active about a month ago and now nothing!!  trying to get my sellers to drop in price AGAIN is not an easy task!!

Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate

I go in cycles.  Just when I think it's really dead I get several call me at once.

Jun 18, 2008 02:37 PM
Gretchen Faber
The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek - Denver, CO
LifeStyleDenver

I was just visiting western NJ last week, and our limo driver from the airport was a Realtor!  It must be tough out there.  Hang tight.

Jun 18, 2008 02:37 PM
Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team
Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

I have to ditto... April hit we were busy then last 2 weeks FOR RESIDENITAL sales I have to call myself determine if the phone is working...however we side step went for another market with 40 clients... that keeps us busy.. good luck.

Dallas homes for sale, Call 972-699-9111 Lynn 911 Dallas Top Real Estate Agent, Dallas homes for sale, Dallas home foreclosures for sale, Dallas homes for sale, Dallas foreclosures, Dallas apartments for rent, Dallas apartment rentals, http://www.lynn911.com , http:// dallasapartmentforrent.blogspot.com/

Jun 18, 2008 02:38 PM
Mitch Ribak
Mitch Ribak - The Real Estate Success Network - Melbourne, FL

Hey Lisa!  There are lots of buyers out there, you just have to be the best at capturing them.  We do all our marketing online and only online.  From there I can track my dollars and basically know that for x amount of money I will capture x amount of leads and convert them to x amount of sales.  I have 25 Agents that are busy all the time because of our understanding of the Internet.  Feel free to call me if you want me to check out your site and give you advice.  I spend half my life doing this for people these days!  Good luck!

Jun 18, 2008 02:41 PM
Steve Dawson
J. Rockcliff Realtors (#01723588) - Walnut Creek, CA

Start marketing to the buyers who are looking for deals, like short sales or REO's.  That's where all of them are around my town.

Jun 18, 2008 02:48 PM
Mike Kelly
Sellstate Advantage Realty - Cape Coral, FL

Lisa, The buyers are all reading the paper and all the doom and gloom! I just did a training seminar this morning in Northfield, NJ and the agents who I spoke to who have a web presence have buyers! Also the agents with listings are getting sign calls!

So here in NJ just like most areas, I guess it is a website or listings to find the buyers! They are out there, but you must find them!

Mike Kelly

Jun 18, 2008 02:53 PM
Debbie Hughes
Keller Williams Realty - Pleasant View, TN

Hey Lisa,

I am a new real estate agent and would like to ask you how you attract, find, and capture buyers? I have a listing already, but I would also like to be involved in finding buyers.

Jun 18, 2008 02:53 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

I'm with Chris...as soon as I start to panic, and it gets slow, is when the deals start to flow again.  I just need to ENJOY the down time.  I did that today.

Jun 18, 2008 03:01 PM
Paul McDuell
Realty Benefit - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Ditto marketing to buyers looking for deals. That's what I would be doing if I was looking to buy. Closed sales also show the trend that better deals are typically the ones that sell, though not always.

Jun 18, 2008 03:02 PM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

The buyers pull into town on buses, I am convinced..there is the $200 and under bus, then there is the short bus for the $700 and over crowd..... :)

Jun 18, 2008 03:02 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

The buyer's are there and here. The problem is the advice from their friends, who listen to the new's...not the market. They don't understand this is the time to buy...the mortgage interest rate's are going up...Not a big deal for a small loan, but however, it is for the JUMBO buyers...

Listen to a professional, not a friend...unless, of course they have secret's we don't know about. JMHO. 

My buyer's are in the $500-$700 range....they are smart customer's...just need to let us help!

Jun 18, 2008 03:10 PM
Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

It will pick up again, I am in Florida and June, July, August and September were always the slowest month

Jun 18, 2008 03:11 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Anne,

Really?  I find that customer's with families want to buy in the summer.  I was alway's told that this was our season..at least the one's with children...they want to buy and move when the children are out of school???

I've been busy as heck this week????

Jun 18, 2008 03:13 PM
Tom Davis
Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE
FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

I recently heard from a NJ home buyer that she didn't like the NJ goverment, I have heard complaints from NJ folks....Thankfully Delaware has a great reputation for the local beaches we have....although I am seeing less and less traffic everyday now....whew!  Our economy is in a crunch so just ride it out!  Good Luck to you!

Thanks,

Tom Davis

World Class Delaware Realtor

Jun 18, 2008 03:14 PM
LISA BELL
Better Homes Realty - Old Bridge, NJ

Thanks everyone for all your advice.  I do like the idea of going after buyers that are looking for deals.  I do have a listing for a gas station and a handyman.   Once the buyers start to call again, I will try to turn them into clients.

 

Tom, I know our goverment here horrible!!!  Alot of new jersyans are leaving here and going to Delaware!!

Jun 19, 2008 01:24 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Its never a good thing when you have to drop the prices on your listing. Its funny your name is Lisa Bell. There is a real estate agent in my office name Lisa Bell. Matter of fact,she is one of the few people who accepted my invitation to Active Rain. Great post.

Jun 19, 2008 11:35 AM