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Who Is It That Joe Q. Public Doesn't Trust?

By
Real Estate Agent with Your Home Free

B pointing

Are you pointing at me?  Or is that the TV?  Maybe you're pointing at my mortgage bill.

I have been encountering a lot of potential clients, both buyers and sellers, that seem to be taking up a permanent residence on the fence when it comes to getting off their couch and making a decision.  Many of them are "taking things slow", want to "look at a lot of houses", make sure "it's the right thing to do".  

My first initial thought is that this is a matter of public distrust.  The media used to be the place to get facts and information about politics, health, finance and daily living.  However, with 24-hour news channels picking sides of the "aisle" to support, blogs (let's remember these are opinions of the writer!) and instant data coming at us all the time, it's hard to discern fact from opinion.  

The more I think about it though, I think that maybe there is a little bit of education and common sense finally sinking in to the American minds.  With real estate and mortgage professionals educating potential buyers AND sellers that loans aren't easy to get anymore (or impossible) with a 600 credit score and $35,000 in credit card debt, those people are sitting still and taking personal responsibility instead of getting deeper in the hole.  It might be more like your mom telling you NO and then knowing that you can't do anything about it instead of mom saying "Maybe" and you keep hounding her to let you have that piece of cake. 

As much as I want people to get off the fence, this is an encouraging sign that the people I will be working with in the future will be qualified, educated buyers who trust me and the associates I do business with.  That's can't be all that bad!

 

Joe Kenny
Realty Executive Midwest - Darien, IL
Better Than Your Average Joe

Tricia, you have hit the nail write on the head regarding the 24 hour coverage of news and I use that term loosley.  Have a great day, 

Sincerley

Joe K Realtor

Feb 16, 2011 01:02 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I think it's a little bit about everything you mention but the job security issue that make buyers where they are at.

Feb 16, 2011 04:48 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Tricia,  It's all that and more.  I have had a lot of fence sitters lately too.  Will be glad when Spring finally gets here, maybe that will help.

Feb 16, 2011 01:50 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Tricia, I do think it's a mixed bag.  Folks waiting for rates to hit bottom and realized they missed it.  I'm encountering a few people...quite a few people that can't qualify...there nailed to that fence.  I've also met some people who just got into trouble because of job loss or pay cut in half...lots of reasons.  I'm a little cynical about people taking responsibility...I have found them, but they are far and few between.

Feb 16, 2011 02:55 PM
Tricia Hoffmann
Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Yes, this isn't a black and white situation.  Each person and situation is different.  It will be interesting to see where buyers go in the next few years!

Feb 17, 2011 02:25 AM