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Just Keep Plugging Along

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Realtors

Hi again my 2 faithful subscribers.  Today I want to talk about the media.  I feel the media had a great deal to do with the housing "bubble" and the "bubble bursting". I'm sure many of my fellow realtors feel the same way.   And I think they create, feed and perpetuate all manner of hype.  As a realtor, I've seen the direct results based on highly publicized articles.  I've heard this loud and clear through my perspective clients when they tell me they are "waiting to buy" and when they've told me they want to look only at foreclosures because they think they are a better deal. 

 The media's opinion has been changing from week to week lately.  Well, I've received a request to be interviewed by a Baltimore Sun reporter for a real estate article that will come out sometime this week (I think).  I was slightly hesitant, but I thought what the heck.  I'll provide some information that I think is insightful, that's the best I can do.  What will be made with it after that is what I'm unsure about.  What way is the press leaning this week?  Is this the week they will be saying its perfect for buyers, lots of opportunities, etc. or will it be a week of gloom and doom.  Are the current economic fears still preventing the market from rebounding; will rates go lower, will home prices continue to drop? Is the ball bouncing along the bottom?

 It is Tuesday, and I've not yet been contacted.  Maybe this reporter is waiting to see which way the wind is being blown by other media folk.  Will I be on pins and needles - no.  I'll just be doing my job, getting my future listings ready for the marketplace, lining up repairs for one of my buyers and going forward.  Life is what you make it - not what the media says it will be.

Comments (15)

Tina Allen
Exit Realty Tri-County - Mount Dora, FL

It's crazy isn't it?  I keep telling everyone I come into contact with "Stop watching the news!  They keep making everything worse!"  I hope you get contacted and can shed some light on the subject.

May 19, 2009 03:20 AM
Sean Carroll
The Get Off Your A$$ Academy - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach

Good luck with the interview. Tell it like it is. There are some awesome opportunities right now as you know. As for the media. I get my daily information in the early morning from a source I trust, and then I try to tune it out the rest of the day.

I don't think the media fueled the bubble as much as the consumer, the mortgage companies, Wall Street, and investors willing to buy these bad products, but I am certain they are not helping the market find its natural bottom by scaring people out of buying

May 19, 2009 03:23 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Greta~ I think it is pretty neat that they called you and want to interview you.  Good luck with it!

May 19, 2009 03:25 AM
greta Saliger
Long & Foster Realtors - Crofton, MD

Hi TIna, they do blow everything up  and it just continues the cycle. 

May 19, 2009 03:28 AM
John Mulkey
TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA
Housing Guru

Greta, the media are always looking for the sensational stories, and will "adjust" the facts if they can't find what they need. Congratulations on the interview; it's a good opportunity to share your views and get some good PR. I've done several radio interviews and enjoyed the process, and was able to share with people I'd otherwise never reach. Good luck.

May 19, 2009 03:29 AM
greta Saliger
Long & Foster Realtors - Crofton, MD

Thanks Team Carroll.  I agree the bubble was driven by the Street, but I also think the media perpetuated the feeding frenzy. 

May 19, 2009 03:31 AM
Harrison Painter
GoGladiator Media - Carmel, IN
New Media Consultant

Now you have 3 faithful subscribers! :)

I wish more Realtors could get their voice to be heard in the media.

Keep up the great work, and I look forward to your updates!

Have a Profitable Day!

- Harrison Painter

May 19, 2009 03:34 AM
greta Saliger
Long & Foster Realtors - Crofton, MD

Hi Vickie, Hi John,

Thanks for the confidence builder!  I'm also participating in a Media webinar later today.  I'm not sure what to expect with this.  I've done many training webinars and am having difficulting  picturing it in a form with the media.  Maybe I'll blog about that tomorrow.

May 19, 2009 03:38 AM
greta Saliger
Long & Foster Realtors - Crofton, MD

Harrison, you made my day!  I can hardly believe I now have three subscribers.

May 19, 2009 03:40 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Good luck with the interview....I was contacted a few weeks ago by USA Today and talked about our multiple offer market. It's fun!

May 19, 2009 03:45 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

If you want to get in the news it will have to be bad and probably involve sex!  How about faxing the a press release "Bad sex in foreclosed homes driving prices down."  It does not have to be true, they will probably not even check the facts.  Just kidding, keep up the good work.  I am seeing a big market turn around here, but clients are waiting to here it on the news first.

May 19, 2009 04:03 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great opportunity to tell the news the way it is. Congrats I hope they contact you so you can spread the word.

May 19, 2009 04:26 AM
Michael J. Gallo
Florida Luxury Realty - New Port Richey, FL
Florida Luxury Realty - Gulf Home Sales Team

I recently wrote a blog about a local news report about a nasty forclosure home.  They interviewd the Real Estate Sales Associate and not only did he have nothing to say, he said nothing while wearing a baseball cap.  I get the feeling that anything you are quoted will be well versed and inteligent.  Good luck with the interview and thank you for getting the word out that things are not as bad as the media is letting us to believe.   You now have 4 subscribers. :-)

May 19, 2009 05:56 AM
greta Saliger
Long & Foster Realtors - Crofton, MD

Thank you Karen, Gene, Pat, and Michael.  I just found out the reporter chose to interview a different agent who is firmly planted in the Wash, DC suburbs (I'm equally distanced between DC and Balt).  Real estate is so local, makes me really question the Balt Sun.  Oh well, c'est la vie - there is always next time.  And next time, Gene, I will make sure to somehow sneak in the sex angle! 

May 19, 2009 06:05 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Well now there Greta my friend. Seems like you were already quoted by the Baltimore Sun in an article. Sneaky, aren't they. Rich

May 19, 2009 07:03 AM