I was showing a home to a client a couple of days ago. We had just finished and were getting in our cars when someone drove up. He got out of his car and asked if I was the real estate agent. I told him I was "a" real estate agent, but not the listing agent for this property.

This gentleman went on to explain that he's been calling and leaving messages for the listing agent for months, trying to get in to see the house. All his calls have gone unreturned.

Have I mentioned that this house has been for sale for more than 450 days?

Real estate agents get discouraged too. I understand that. But a potential buyer who is this determined would certainly seem worthy of a returned phone call.

I wonder if the owner knows there's a potential buyer who's having trouble getting to see the property.

By the way, this is one more reason (if you needed one) to never, never call the listing agent on a property!

I'm wondering if one of the results of the recent subprime issues will be an increase in offers by sellers to carry financing for would-be buyers?

While there was a time when owner financing was very common, we haven't seen much of it at all, even during the last year as sales fell. But then, interest rates are still historically low and as I've said, if you had a pulse you could probably get a mortgage!

But with that changing, I wonder if sellers will step up to fill the void? Clearly it's a risky market. How desperate are sellers or how desperate will they get?

What do you think?