Bankrate.com's article on home seller stress levels is interesting though painful to read if your home is on the market right now. Some psychologists liken the stress levels and seller reactions to PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They also mention "catastrophizing" as one of the symptoms. The homeowner magnifies the possible negative outcome. It certainly isn't a time when you take on the task of selling a home on a whim. And, with many only considering it due to their upside-down mortgage situation, it's not the pleasurable experience that it used to be.
When it comes to catastrophizing, many of us do tend to magnify the possible negative outcome of a situation. If you haven't recently had an appraisal done on your home, you may be magnifying your problem. Even if you're not, if you are still employed, affording the payments, and normally wouldn't have wanted to move, then waiting for better market days is definitely a strategy to consider. But, if selling is what you must do, don't just gather information from real estate agents and appraisers. Give us a call and ask what the realities of the buyer side mortgage process are right now. We'll be glad to give you information as to how your home might fair with a willing buyer looking for a mortgage.
Of course, if you're a buyer, these low prices can look very attractive. Couple that with low mortgage rates, and you have an opportunity to get a great home with payments you'll be happy about for years to come. It's all about which side of the deal you're on right now, but there are still homes being sold, with a win-win deal for both sides.