I have been looking for a long time and can't seem to find anything! Why?

There are several possibilities here.

First, do you have a competent Buyer Agent working for you? Or, are you "freelancing" and just calling on magazine and newspaper ads? Calling on your own usually results in you finding out the home is already under agreement, right?

You need a skilled agent that can search daily for you so that you can be one of the first ones in the door. Freelancing does not work. Find a skilled agent and get him working for you.

Second, you need to ask your self this question: "Are my expectations and goals realistic?" A skilled agent can help you answer this question.

I like to sit down with any buyers I am working with and do what I call a "reverse search". This is where we take your requirements with regards to price, house and land size, location, etc and instead of searching to see what is on the market now we search and review what has sold in the last 6 months that would have fit your needs. This will give you a very good look at what you can expect to see come on the market in the next 6 months. If there is nothing that has sold in the last 6 months that meets your needs chances are your expectations do not fit the area/market.

How can an agent help you if your expectations are not realistic? IN many ways really.

He can give you sound advise regarding your expectations. Why spend a year or more of your life searching for something that is not going to appear?

Creative thinking is required here. Perhaps you want a horse property but nothing fits in your price range. Consider a home with enough land and have a barn built or convert a detached garage? You really want a home but can't afford it? Many people use condos or mobile homes very successfully as a stepping stone to home ownership.

The bottom line is don't go out there without a skilled agent on your side and make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself.