What's Holding Private Money Back From Deploying Capital?

[Orlundo Hubbard]

Why is it so hard to raise capital these days? 

I have been talking to investors and discussing my interest in raising capital and I get the same response "Capital is tight", "no one's lending right now", and "Why would someone lend to a new investor?". 

So, I'm here to ask those who either have capital to deploy or have raised capital, what are the common fears when it comes to deploying capital? 

Why is everyone so afraid to deploy capital? What are the common fears of investors who write checks to capital raisers? 

Is it just this market that is bringing fear or has it always been this way?