Don't Try to put Lipstick on that Pig!

Sometimes, there's just nothing you can do to make it look better... "heart designer frames", "your mother's pearls", and "lipstick" won't make this pig look any less like a pig.

There are those who tell us that we have to be circumspect, when talking with the public about our housing market.  We've all heard our managers, and regional managers telling us when the public asks "how's the market" the stock answer is "Unbelievable".  We're never supposed to tell the public that the market is down, or the market is slow, skittish, sporadic, or any terminology that would mean anything less than wonderful.

But the public is pretty smart, and perceptive.  And there's no hiding what's been going on in the financial markets recently.  The truth is, people have been holding their breath, waiting for something to happen, and the best thing we can do is to be honest with them, in my opinion.

When asked that question, and everyone is asking these days, I've begun telling people "it could be better".  I've had a decent year, better than many, and worse than some.  My family won't go hungry this year, and we're not in danger of losing our home, or cars so I consider ourselves lucky.

But it hasn't been a "banner year" for me, and the market is a bit skittish, and I don't think there's any harm in telling our clients. That doesn't mean there aren't deals to be had... there are.  For properties, in our area, that are priced competitively they are selling.  The house behind ours, just sold in 9 days, and the house down the street is under contract after 90 days. Homes are selling, and there are still buyers out there.  They are just a little more skittish, and are searching for the perfect property.

So don't try to put lipstick on that pig.  (It's not particularly popular these days) Call a pig a pig... there are a lot of positive things about the "other white meat". I've even heard that some of them have special skills.

What do you think? What are you telling your clients?

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate