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Look at it 'this' way

By
Real Estate Agent with Five Star Real Estate

We had an interesting company meeting last week.  Our guest speaker was Ralph Roberts, and as always he was interesting, informative and provided a strong nudge that will cause me to take another, closer look to the way I do business.  Always a good thing.

 One of the owners of our company quoted the 'other side' of the statistics that we hear in the media so often.  Here are a few that might be of interest:

  • 98.7% of mortgages are NOT in foreclosure
  • Interest rates have dropped .25% recently
  • In our area, sales were higher in July 2007 than July 2006
  • New Construction- there are 300 fewer new homes sitting on the shelf waiting for buyers
  • Overall, consumers of Real Estate services are generally satisfied
  • Even in the State of Michigan 93% of residents ARE EMPLOYED
  • Opportunity is everywhere

It's so easy with the daily banging of the media drum about how bad everything is, to get caught up in the hype.  Yet there are people in my market (and probably in yours) that are having a GREAT year.  (Karen and I are on track for one of our stronger years). 

As we've tried to respond to a changing market, we realized that the days where if you could cloud a mirror you could survive in real estate are over.  So we've been inventorying our tool box, sharpening our presentation and becoming more pro-active with our clients.  Homes are selling every day, more than ever, we are doing everything we can to position our sellers to be part of the group that is successful this week.

 

Al Maxwell
Keller Williams - Marietta, GA
Real Estate Agent
I like it! The glass is 98.7% full! Not 1.3% empty! Thanks for turning this around to a positive!!!
Aug 20, 2007 12:55 AM
Wayne McMullan
Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty - Belleville, ON
Quinte Real Estate
Great post Eric. The NAR as well as local boards need to get the word in a more effective manner. It's time everyone knew these stats.
Aug 20, 2007 01:01 AM
Danielle V. Lewis
DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY
DDR Realty
There's always another perspective to view...Thanks for the reminder.
Aug 20, 2007 01:11 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
Good post. We have to keep the "good news" flowing in the right direction.
Aug 20, 2007 01:26 AM
Eric Webster
Five Star Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty

Thanks everyone. 

I believe that if 1,300,000 Realtors started looking at the bright side, and would start communicating that message (and demanding a balanced report in the media) it could help the perception that the public holds.

We probably all have clients who (despite our best advice) went into adjustable mortgages that are getting ready to bite them.  Another opportunity to reach out to our past clients to educate an help them find an alternative that will keep them from financial harm.

Aug 20, 2007 01:31 AM
New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ

Great Post Eric, It is always good to point out the positive.  The news media is not going to do it for us.  From what we can see the news media is going to bash who ever it is currently trendy to bash.  Currently Realtors and the Real Estate industry have a big target on their backs.

Keep up the Good Posts.

 

James Boyer

Realtor Associate

Keller Williams Real Estate

Summit, NJ 07901

Aug 20, 2007 01:38 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hi Eric, Getting "our message out" is one of the reasons that I think blogging can be a very effective tool for real estate agents.  If we don't tell our story...other's will and they may not choose to emphasize what is important to us or even what is true and right!  Thanks for sharing some great information.
Aug 20, 2007 02:49 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Excellent stats Eric. I love reading posts like yours that show the strength of the West Michigan market, and it is truly strong! We have such interesting and diverse growth making this area a great place to do business and a wonderful place to live! 
Oct 03, 2007 10:24 AM
Eric Webster
Five Star Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, MI, Five Star Realty

Mary,

Like so many things, it's largely a matter of perspective.  The media feels it's their job to awfulize everything. If there's no real crisis, they create one. 

We all need to work hard to get the truth out there.

Thanks for your comment.

Oct 03, 2007 10:32 AM