For the past year and a half, we have heard about how much excess real estate  inventory there is here in Southwest Florida. We have heard that the foreclosure markets in both Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral are nearly the highest in the nation and if you look at the numbers, you would probably agree.  If this is the case, and I am not saying that the numbers lie, then why is it so hard to buy a home in this market?  Over the past few weeks I have engaged in numerous conversations with our agents here at Treeline Realty Corp as well as outside our company about the difficulties that we are going through in securing a real estate transaction for our buyers.  It reminds me of the days back in 2004-2006 when you had to get in line to purchase a vacant lot.  At this rate, does this mean that prices are going to skyrocket like the lots did, or are buyers going to be patient and wait for the right deal to come along?  I encourage my buyers to stick to the plan, be patient, and wait until the right home comes along at the right price.  Whether it be a short sale, a bank foreclosure, REO or corporate owned property, it is still a great time to purchase realestate here in Southwest Florida.  How long will it last? That is anybody’s guess.   For now, we press on and hopefully our diligence pays off in the end.