"So How's The Real Estate Market?" What's your usual answer to this question these days?

A lot of your instructors and managers will tell you to say "Unbelievable".  They can interpret that any way that they wish.  Next subject please!

I like to ask a question back and test what they are looking for.  Are they wanting to sell to buy looking for a deal.  Personally it doesn't matter which direction the market is going we sell it and get paid.

I agree with Tim the best way to deal with the question is with a question.

Ralph,

My question them. Why do you ask? You need to investigate to find out if they are asking for themselves, friends or relatives. I feel that when people ask a question like that they asking for assistance.

Someone asks me instead if BS -ng them I tell them how it really is in their neck of the woods. Real Estate is local and what I have noticed since November of 2009 my market has been smoking. My closings will confirm this. So I d not need to use the "..unbelievable..." answers.

I just took a class last month where the instructor gave us a great response ... "That depends. Why do you ask?"

Hello Ralph and the market is doing very well in Las Vegas and the Thai food is great in Thailand, commenting to you from Thailand this is Vegas Bob & Nu Nu!

VB ;-)

I always say people are selling and people are buying, why are you thinking of buying or selling? Usually when people ask, they are either asking because they are worried about you or they are planning to buy or sell in the near future.

I tell them the market is AWFUL, and quickly follow up with "may I borrow a few bucks"? This tends to cut back on future inquiries.

Ralph, I say what it is, it is not bad.  I am doing well, still selling and buying.  Most of the time, their response is kind of shock to hear the market is not dead.  But some are glad to hear that, so it all depends who is asking, and I don't pay attention why they want to know.  I think most of the people like to hear depressing stories than happy stories.

Ralph...I think being honest is the best policy.  If they want to sell, the answer is one thing, if they a wanting to buy it is another.  It is a buyers market in a large part of the country, so it may be easier to get a value purchasing than it is to get top dollar on a sale.

"it depends if you're a buyer or a seller... it's a great time to be buying!"

Hi Ralph... my standard opening line is "Like nothing you've ever experienced before!"  And then I go on from there.

People tend to avoid eye contact when this question comes up....we greet it with a smile and say....we are doing well...how can we help anyone you know to take advantage of the great selection and interest rates....

Ralph,  Funny you should ask.

I just received a marketing nugget from Joe Stumpf going over how to respond to this very question.  He has a video where he explains some specific language that is useful.