Think the economy is improving and homeowners aren’t desperate to sell? Think again.

This motivated seller is obviously dissatisfied with his Realtor’s performance, and decided to sweeten the pot with by throwing in his Benz as a freebie.

Desperate? Yes. Effective? Time will tell.

I realize this example is a bit extreme and might not be representative of the U.S. economy as a whole, but in a period of 10%+ unemployment, banks raising their loan qualification metrics (even more so for jumbo loans), and peak bubble buyers whose motives went from making boatloads of cash by flipping properties to simply saving their credit report, times are tough for anyone who wants to out of their mortgage burden.

Conversely, it’s a buyer’s market if your credit score is above 620 (so the mortgage lenders tell me), you have consistent and provable income, and have a few thousand bucks saved away for a down payment. I’m not saying it’s a market bottom by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m just saying it’s a good idea to sniff around for a good deal when many are panicked and desperate to get out.