Unemployment, stauration of the market, anticipated financial market conditions and personal financial aspects of a buyer all play a part in current hosuing markets, these factors bear greater weight than anticipated increasing interest rates as we have seen, there is a lack of buyers with an over supply, very strange, and as confidence builds, buyers will react, demand will increase and supply reduced.

Perhaps going through the option contract with them line by line would help clear up any misunderstanding.If the sellers are investors, then I agree with Brian that something sounds strange.

I find the question kind of strange actually.

In terms of the widening gap between US and Canadian house prices since 2006, this seems to be a strange economic phenomenon. 

I find it strange that HCAD has it listed as a Single Family residence with a 0 SF lot size.

She did not want a strange man in her apt. without me being there.  

Its strange here.

Another strange thing my broker friend showed me was fraudulent bank statements, he'd received as POF.If you zoomed in, you could see where they'd photoshopped the account balance.I thought it was scary someone like that was going into business.

People are strange and often what they want does not align with reality.

This puts me in a strange position because I initially planned to purchase SFH and duplexes in the 35-55k range.