Wall Street fear factor chills market

From the October issue: It’s a tough time for buyers and sellers. With financial news headlines about Wall Street’s meltdown ratcheting up the fear factor, both sides are cautious about plunging into the real estate market. As a result of the turmoil, those who work at financial firms are backing out of deals because they are unsure of their job security. Meanwhile, sellers are seeing their units sit on the market longer and are pulling them off. Other buyers who want deals are holding out, thinking prices will come down further. And buyers who are willing to pull the trigger now face greater financial hurdles getting mortgages.