Battle Between Buyers and Sellers Is Not a Life and Death Struggle - But This Is!

A new cycle has begun in the battle for supremacy in the New York residential Real Estate market between buyers and sellers. For a very long time sellers have had the upper hand over buyers but now that may be reversed. According to blogger True Gotham:

Buyers and sellers alike are indeed digging in their heels. Having said that, I'm seeing more motivated sellers on the market right now than those who "test" the market to see if they can get their price (inflated usually). I have also experienced many sellers pulling property off of the market as they have made the decision to stay where they are and "ride out the storm." If there is going to be a storm, and that remains to be seen, then perhaps this is the calm that precedes it?

And:

So what do I see happening in 2008? Based on the plethora of economic data that I have been watching, certain segments of the Manhattan market may see the current imbalance of inventory and buyers tip slightly more toward the buyer's favor.

Or as reported in the NY Times, at least a stalemate has emerged:

Now, brokers say, they see a stalemate developing between buyers and sellers in Manhattan, especially for apartments in the $1 million to $5 million range.

Remember, though certainly an important factor, the residential real estate market does not rise to the level of life and death. Keep your perspective.

This is a life and death struggle that has had over 20 million views on You Tube. The Battle at Kruger is simply an amazing sight to watch. Do yourselves a favor and watch the entire video which is a little more than 8 minutes. It will be worth it.




My question is, who does the Lion and Buffalo represent - the Buyer or Seller? We know the crocodile is the broker.

UPDATE: 12/21/- Maybe the crocodile is the foreign buyer taking advantage of the stalemate between Lions and Buffalos, I mean buyers and sellers. From today's NY Times:

While natives remain wary about real estate and worry about bonuses and the economic climate, foreign tourists are keeping brokers busy with their eagerness to buy up Manhattan apartments, which many see as investments.