Best Answer on Trulia . . . thanks to my AR Market Report . . . well . . . and my answer 
A few posts ago, I wrote about not answering ALL Trulia questions. Why I Don't Answer ALL Trulia Posted Questions
The other day responded to a question on Trulia because it was a good one. "CJ" wanted to know if the lull in inventory, the 'thin pickings', had to do with the time of year.
I chimed in, and added a market report I had done on Active Rain a few weeks earlier . . . Portland Housing Market Review October 2011
My report WITH GRAPH showed how listings (current actives) were down in the Metro Portland market by almost 25% . . . comparing Oct. '10 to Oct. 11 active listing, pendings and closed sales.
In the Trulia answer, I mentioned the market report was done for the month of October . . . not the start of the 'slow season.' So, while "CJ" may be noticing the slim pickin's . . . it wasn't "seasonal" -- we are down almost 25% in inventory in the Metro Portland market in October.
To my surprise, not only was my answer given the BEST ANSWER, but I received a lovely email:
| Hello Carla, You answered a question of mine on Trulia about home inventory in southwest PDX. I really liked your answer because it seemed like you were trying to inform. The data you offered was directly related to my question. My wife and I will not be ready to buy for another 12 to 18 months, but we plan to fill that time with educating ourselves. We are data and intuition driven and take our time with big purchases. We are looking for a realtor with the heart of a teacher. If you enjoy teaching people and don't mind a slow sale, please let me know so I can put you on our shortlist of agents with whom we'd like to work. xxxxxxxx and xxxxxxx got similar emails because all of you seem to have a spark of teacher in you. Happy Holidays! CJ |
| Thank you. |
I share this with you NOT TO BRAG. I didn't sign them up as buyer clients, as you'll note these folks aren't buying right yet. I just wanted to acknowledgethat there are people, consumers, potential clients who LIKE to be INFORMED . . . not "sold to" as most answers on Trulia are more about "oh, pick me, pick me." YAWN.
If I get nauseated with reading "Oh, you just moved here from WHEREVER. WOW, my sister has a friend who's mother lives in WHEREVER! I would love to help you," then PEOPLE, CONSUMERS, POTENTIAL CLIENTS get nauseated with it too!!
INCLUDE your ActiveRain market reports, blogs, and tie it all in . . . to INFORM and EDUCATE. Consumers really like that!
Comments(15)