The Gobreskis still have not sold the Queen Village house, which they've owned since 1996 and spent much money to make structurally sound. But they've had lots of lookers, on a street where there have been two $500,000-plus sales in the last month.
"It is a great time to buy," said Susan Gobreski, 41, state director of the League of Conservation Voters, who added that she and her husband are managing to balance the two mortgages. "There just aren't a lot of buyers out there."
Gobreski said the Queen Village house is worth what she is asking based on comparable recent sales. She believes the economy will recover, and isn't going to lower the price.
"The fundamentals are sound, and homes will retain their value," she said. "Why should I lower the price $10,000 when I can keep it and rent it and make that much and more in a year?"
On the other hand, prospective buyer Tehmaas S. Gorimaar of Doylestown, who is looking for another house there, believes the economy must be overhauled before buyers are comfortable with making a purchase.
"The only alternative," said Gorimaar, 57, a pharmaceuticals-packaging executive, "is for the government to create demand by doubling the interest and property-tax deduction for people who buy a house, say, over the next three years.
"Buyers must see a significant benefit to this bubble," he said. "Without that, they are going to remain on the sidelines. Who would want to make his biggest investment in this climate?"
