Creating New Buyers for Today's Buyer's Market!

How many of you know someone that fits this description:

Young professional - single or divorced - renting - good credit - not sure they're ready for home ownership but know they're paying a significant amount in rent - possibly more than a house payment may be.

Sound familiar?

Most of us have family or friends, or friends of friends in this category. I have an office -mate that fits this description. She's in her mid -30's, with kids, and admitted to me when I was talking to her about my real estate background that she was probably wasting money on rent.

As I spoke with her about the benefits of home ownership and asked if she had considered buying her own home, it became clear she was lacking the COURAGE to take that step. She clearly recognized the benefits, and added she was also receiving regular child support payments in addition to her own salary. Her reluctance to go for what she stated in the moment she wanted led me to wonder if there was something we as an industry are doing to dis-courage this group of potential buyers (I have had the same reaction from several similarly situated folks).

With the constant chatter about over-valued properties, subprime foreclosures, is or isn't the Fed going to lower interest rates, are we becoming part of the problem? Are we perpetuating it?

A review of the MLS listings in Tallahassee reveals a healthy selection of entry level homes, townhomes, etc., that are there for the choosing. Perhaps we're standing in our OWN way of seeing first home ownership happen for people; of helping them achieve their own dream.....

What do you think.....?

Any suggstions for our timid, potential first time home buyers out there?