Buyer agents in August: A field report

Late summer is a jumpy time for Americans. Many are still on vacation, some have returned, some never went, some spent their summer vacation driving their children to colleges. Workplaces run with smaller staff, substitute staff, or just do less work. Children's camp is over; now, children remember their summer reading assignments. And... all the therapists are on the Cape and Islands!

In the financial world, the credit markets have tightened. Interest rates are up, especially on larger loan amounts -- or are they about to go down again? The stock market...let's not try to make sense of the stock market this August!

MassBuyerAgents.com has a chat group for members. Here's the August field report: Business increased or no change. No one reported an unusual slump. Several reported an increase in "short sales" and bank-owned (foreclosed) properties up for sale, but the prices were not low enough to entice a smart buyer.

My last two clients made offers in competition, according to the listing agents. I have a normal level of inquiry, not reduced by economic instability or the season.

Home prices are down a little and the interest rates are up a little. Times are confusing but, there is no need to panic. My colleagues and I are enjoying a steady business because informed buyers want to work with agents whose focus is helping buyers, not sellers. We are popular in insecure times.

Alas, I'd rather be on the Cape with the therapists. However, duty calls.