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The difference between selling and salesmanship.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

 

The difference between selling and salesmanship.There is a difference between selling and salesmanship. The waters of the real estate market are a lot more turbulent these days, and so it is necessary to establish a good balance between the pros and cons of buying.

The most often asked question that I get there days is: “Have we reached the bottom yet?”

The second most asked query is: “If we bought it today at this price, how much do you think we could sell it for in five years?”

And the answer to both questions is “I don’t know and I can’t say.” I do NOT have a crystal ball, and any answer that I would offer would be an educated guess at best. I have seen things happen in the last five years that I have never seen happen in times past.

But what I can and WILL say is that you have to live somewhere anyway, and with prices and interest rates at their current levels, purchasing a home is a very attractive option.

When the property, the price, and the interest rate make sense to the buyer and override all reservations, the home sells itself.

And no salesmanship is needed!

 

Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

I couldn't agree more ... people want to know and they want us to assure them that they can buy with confidence.  We don't have any crystal balls here in Nevada either ... but ... I do think that the emotional return needs to be factored into what buyers consider as they calculate a purchase.  If a buyer feels they will be happy to wake up in a home and pend the next few years of their life there ... I advise them that is an important aspect of their decission process.

Jun 26, 2011 02:35 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning, Richard. There is a huge difference between the two...

Jun 26, 2011 02:49 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Good points once again Richard...you are one smart cookie!  Have a good one!

Jun 26, 2011 03:21 AM
Gay E. Rosen
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY
As Real as Real Estate Gets!

i Richard:None of us can make blanket statements...we all wish we had that crystal ball -  but homes can be purchased at wonderful prices and with great rates so all good..

Jun 26, 2011 03:24 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

I too get this question from clients all of the time.  I do believe the housing market will rebound but exactly when and by how much it is impossible to predict.  My crystal ball doesn't work either!

Jun 26, 2011 04:32 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

I bought my condo back in 2002, just as the bell curve in prices was ascending. Little did I know just how far they'd rise. My fear at the time was prices in the complex were already higher than the previous few years by 15 to 20%. Was I getting a good deal? I was renting a unit already in the complex when one came up for sale. A little simple math revealed to me that I could buy one and save a little over $50 a month. Well, that wasn't really true, because as a homeowner I now had the annual tax benefits, so I was saving even more.

As the cycle continued and peaked here similar units to mine were selling at twice what I paid for mine. Then as the castle of cards fell apart and values crashed I look at my unit's value and I have equity. Not a whole lot, but not bad and if you drew a straight line from what I purchased it for and today's values you'd realize a steady gain over time of roughly 5% a year. When I look back over the years, that 5% was more in line with traditional appreciation rates.

As you so amply state: "You have to live somewhere." It may not be my dream home on Puget Sound waterfront, but it is a very comfortable and a well located place to live. It is home.

Jun 26, 2011 05:59 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
The diffirence is Professionalism. Profesialism brings in return sales aand continued service
Jun 26, 2011 07:29 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

We can talk about today, trends and what the economists have cited.  No future can be pre-determined.  All we know is that the rates are phenomenal and if it appears the bottom has been hit unless... All the best for a great Sunday!

Jun 26, 2011 08:07 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I usually answer that question with... well you can hope you do better than the folks who bought 5 years ago and want to sell now.

Jun 26, 2011 12:34 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Richard, I have never considered myself a salesperson.  You can't sell something to someone who doesn't want to buy it. Especially a home!   I'm catching up with some of my buddies tonight.   I've been spending too much time on facebook and not enough time reading all of these good posts! 

Jun 26, 2011 02:51 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Selling is such a small part of what we actually do; I wonder why they call us salespeople?

Jun 26, 2011 08:25 PM