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June 11, 2012 03:45 PM

Commencement speeches are tailored to reach graduates, but often lend inspiration to every day people, long out of college.

And this one phrase from a commencement address has done more to summarize my frustrations of our business: I don’t understand everything I know

I know this is a great time to buy a home and get a loan, but I have trouble understanding why more families aren’t standing in line.

Sharing the pain? Consider these numbers from Integra Realty Resources (IRR):

While 85 percent of potential buyers indicated that market conditions are favorable for purchasing a home, unemployment and job instability make many respondents reluctant or unable to buy a home.

Potential buyers are worried about bigger things than missing out. So while effective in a market where buyers feel good about the home buying decision, I dont think the buy now before its too late resonates in this market.

Some other numbers:

According to the study, 21 percent of respondents are not planning to buy a home due to an uncertain economic outlook, While 24 percent are afraid of making a bad investment. Thirty-one percent are not planning to buy a home because of a lack of a down payment. As banks and lenders have become more stringent, down payments have escalated to a point where many Americans cant afford to make the investment. More than three-quarters (76 percent) of those planning to buy a home who are age 30 or older cited I have always dreamed of owning my own home as their reason to buy

The 21% who are facing an uncertain economic future SHOULDNT buy now. We dont need more delinquent loans or foreclosures.

We can help the 24% worried about making a bad investment, by sharing our expertise that real estate is and should be considered a long term investment. Focusing on short term price changes only re-enforces the bad investment mentality.

The 31% who dont have a down payment have solutions, But unless were out there spreading the word, how will they know?

The American Dream of homeownership is still alive, but at least 31% of the population believes it is beyond their reach.

If the best real estate market ever is just around the corner, it’s our job to spread the word that homeownership is affordable and that we can help with the down payment problem.

Simple enough!

Read the complete AG article for more information on the IRR study