I believe it is a great time for buyers. This is San Francisco and we seldom see a buyers market in this city. Right now you can negotiate with sellers and you have a lot of inventory. Why is it like that? Well, the changes in the mortgage market have tightened lending power. So, if your clients have a good down payment and are qualified encourage them to go into the market right now. Things will change and we will go back to the bidding wars sooner than later.

Hi Rob. Welcome to Trulia Voices. I think the problem with the current market is that we just don't know how long the downward trend will last. When we see prices go up again, we'll know that it's over, but by then it might be too late for your buyers. I also think that buyers should not just buy because it's a buyer's market. Unless a buyer plans on holding on to the property for at least 5 years, it may not make sense for them to buy. I think every buyer has to carefully evaluate their personal situation and a financial planner might be able to help with that as they'll be able to help them to see the big picture. I personally think that the market will not turn around for at least the next 2 years as we'll see more foreclosures and that will affect values all around.