Interest in the properties remains high, even though the actual number of bids received has been low, according to brokers interviewed by GlobeSt.com. When the sale of the churches was first announced, many anticipated an active market, particularly from residential developers, institutions and churches from other denominations. Brokers acknowledged that the properties presented challenges due to location and zoning restrictions, but as one broker told GlobeSt.com in November, "developers are looking forward to the challenge of what to do with them."

One of the unanticipated challenges of the church sales apparently is the backlash from the public, mostly displaced parishioners. Most brokers contacted for this report, whether involved in the deals or not, declined to be interviewed or asked not to be identified. One broker tells GlobeSt.com, "We're keeping a low profile. There's a lot of baggage with these deals. We want exposure for the properties, but we've got to be respectful of the process. There's still a lot of hard feelings from [the parishioners] in the neighborhoods." Another added, "This story is not just about real estate, it's a lot bigger than that."

While the backlash may have something to with the lack of bids, there is no shortage of interest in the properties from developers and institutions. "There's been a ton of interest," Lisa Campoli, senior VP at Meredith & Grew, says. "We just don't expect bids until the end of the month. We're going to ask people for bids at the end of the 90 days, but our emphasis is on making sure that everyone who has an interest in the properties has an opportunity to consider it."

"We're in the showing stage right now," one broker adds. He says that his team has been doing little else other than conducting tours for the past two weeks and expects it to pick up from there. "We don't anticipate getting many offers this soon, but we expect to see offers rolling in by the end of the month, and continuing into the next."

The Archdiocese put the original 16 churches out to bid on Nov. 15 and will review the terms and social considerations of the proposals after the 90-day period has passed. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese declined comment on the current status of the process, but says that the 90-day period is a minimum only. "It's an open market, but the Archdiocese will not be commenting until a sale is complete."