Is it really a buyers' market? Not according to recent survey results from ""J.D. Power and Associates,"":http://www.jdpower.com/ which demonstrated that sellers are more content than buyers in the current real estate market.
[IMAGE]The study looked at three key areas of the home-buying process: real estate agents, real estate offices utilized, and auxiliary services. On the home-selling side of the market, the survey examined four major factors: home marketing, real estate agents, real estate offices utilized, and auxiliary services.
The report, which was designed to gauge buyer and seller satisfaction as it relates to overall real estate company services, showed that most home-sellers feel positively about the experiences they are having in the marketplace, while buyers' sentiment is becoming more negative.
Findings among sellers indicated a 5 percent improvement in general satisfaction year-over-year, and in terms of home marketing, sellers showed dramatically increased sentiment, with a 62 point rise in those that felt their homes were well represented.
[COLUMN_BREAK]As for real estate entities, ""RE/MAX"":http://www.remax.com/ ranked most highly among sellers, with ""Prudential"":http://www.prudential.com/view/page/public coming in a close second.
Buyers positivity dropped by around 1 percent between 2010 and 2011, and the decrease is attributed to a 14 point drop in real estate agent satisfaction numbers.
Commenting on the buyers' findings, Jim Howland, J.D. Power and Associates' senior director of real estate and construction practice, said, ""Although the current real estate market - with the confluence of low home prices and historically low interest rates - creates the perception of a buyers' market, there are still traditional barriers to purchase in place, which could be negatively affecting buyer satisfaction with their agent.
Agents who properly manage client expectations around the home buying process and communicate with clients about potential challenges - such as higher requirements for down payments, tighter loan standards, and additional costs on top of the monthly mortgage - may be better able to keep clients satisfied.""
It's worth noting that RE/MAX also holds the number one spot with home buyers, with an overall satisfaction score that bested sellers rankings by 14 points. ""Coldwell Banker"":http://www.coldwellbanker.com/ took the second place position among buyers preferences.
J.D. Power and Associates is based in Westlake Village, California, and its operations include global marketing services that meet the research, forecasting, and performance evaluation needs of diverse industries worldwide.