I only have two pre-approved buyers in 2026, I'm primarily a listing agent these days here in San Diego, CA. And actually both are pre-approved with Jason E. Gordon - so he may be able to add to this...

Buyer One has been dabbling in buying (lives in LA) for 1.5 years and has a Costa Rica property she's trying to sell to be a stronger buyer or even a cash buyer. She's only toured 5 properties in 1.5 years.

Buyer Two is a local school teacher that claimed she wanted to buy this summer, got started gettin preapproved in the Spring, concluded it early summer with Jason and then asked me not to rush her as this was her first purchase ever and she was nervous - I'm sure the rollercoaster rates have not helped either.

Neither have done a thing and I'm busy with multiple listings so "not pushing them" is easy (not my style anyhow).

I have several pre-approved Buyers in Southern California who have been hit with a barrage of variables increasing their costs to purchase. Between steadily rising property values over the past few years, to the majority of the county being flagged as fire zones (incerasing homeowners insurance premiums), to increasing HOA dues, and of course, rising interest rates (as this image shows). 

I still believe that Buyers should be active NOW and purchase at a time where Sellers are more inclined for pricing reductions, making requested repairs and/or contributing to closing costs & rate buydowns.

Thanks for the shout Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP 

People still think there are a lot of overpriced homes on the market, and there are.

Like Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner, mortgage rates were the biggest deterrent before I retired. Here currently in Oswego, Illinois new construction is moving like popcorn without hesitation. 

Before I retired, it was the rates - equating to a higher house payment they were unsure of.

Uncertainty.

Honestly? My buyers aren’t afraid of the mortgage payment. They’re afraid of accidentally paying $715,000 for a house that sold for $389,000 back when people thought Tiger King was quality television.

They’re financially qualified. They’re pre-approved. They’ve got the down payment sitting there behaving itself.

What they don’t have is the emotional strength to tour a 1,200-square-foot ranch with avocado-colored bathrooms, learn it needs a roof, septic, windows, and a priest... and then hear, ‘We’re expecting multiple offers.’

Right now buyers in Southeastern Massachusetts are stuck in the world’s least fun game show:

‘Do I buy now and wonder if prices will soften? Or wait and discover rates dropped, 47 other buyers came back, and I’m fighting over the same house with a guy named Chad who waived everything including common sense?’

So the biggest reason they’re hesitating?

Not affordability. Not qualification.

It’s the nagging feeling that after signing a 30-year commitment, they’ll wake up three months later, open Zillow, and say:

‘You’ve got to be kidding me. THAT’S what I rushed for?’

In short: buyers aren’t frozen by finances. They’re frozen by uncertainty, sticker shock, and a market that keeps sending mixed signals like an ex who texts ‘Hey stranger’ at 11:47 PM.

Inna,

They are plagued by doubt, fake news, their own fears Inna & that is easy to overcome if one does their diligence & then dives in with no regrets Inna Ivchenko 

Inna Ivchenko good morning, Inna... in my case, every single one of my buyer clients who has raised a hand to buy in 2025 and 2026 has purchased a home. No one was sitting on any fences.

Politics- both local and national (and how it's impacting the economy). New York, NY.

Silicon Valley, CA, Santa Clara County. 

I rarely work with Buyers these days. 

However, my sense is hesitation due to uncertainty and/or, much like investing in the stock market, they are waiting for the bottom to invest when there is blood in the water. 

Inna Ivchenko very rarely do I work with Buyers, I am mostly a Listing Agent. I have helped about three buyers buy land this year and all of them were cash. With all my other listings, there was a buyer's agent involved except two.