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You Can Put Lipstick On A Pig, But It's Still A Pig!

Team Rhino I've often been accused of being TOO OPTIMISTIC for my own good (and I can't argue with that for the most part). I just find it interesting how many different viewpoints we can get on the real estate economy from agents operating in the same geographical market.

When the topic of "How's Your Market"? comes up, the answers range from:

It's Declining
It's A Roller Coaster
It's Stabilizing
It's Fabulous
We Haven't Been Affected By Recent Trends (good for you, I'm jealous)!
I Don't Honestly Know (those agents scare me)
Sales Are Down But Prices Remain The Same

Ok... So, for the most part - all of those answers are reasonable. Although I have heard opposite answers from agents in the same market, it really comes down to perception doesn't it? But let's talk about the last answer. This one baffles me & I have heard it more lately than ever before.

a) If Sales Are Down, Your Supply & Demand Is Out Of Balance
b) If Supply & Demand Is Out Of Balance, That Means Buyers Do Not See Value In The Prices And Therefore We Just Have A Calm Before The Storm Situation.

Team Rhino I'm all for putting a positive spin on things. I'm definitely a "Glass Is Half Full" kind of person. But saying your sales are down but prices are stabilized is maybe a "tad" too optimistic in my opinion. Maybe even bordering on "denial".

I'm just saying... You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

Posted by Team Rhino Couer d'Alene Idaho Sue Nelson & Terry Nachtergaele on 12/02/2007 11:02 AM

Comments (7)

coeur dalene idaho, real estate, houses, homes, team rhino, buying, selling, sue nelson, terry nachtergaele

7 Comments on You Can Put Lipstick On A Pig, But It's Still A Pig!

You definitely have a way with words!

I don't really see the market as "stabilized" in any way right now. We are definitely seeing a downswing in the market and will have to learn how to deal with that. Those folks that are in denial will face the a hard cold fact when they stay with "business as usual".

12/02/2007 11:07 AM

by Tim Nebergall - Internet Marketing Web Design CRM Custom Programming (Will2Design, LLC)

We don't want to scare anymore consumers with doom and gloom. So a realistic answer could be "it depends". It depends on whether you are a buyer, a seller or an investor. Each of those have different needs in this market and different perspectives on what the current market conditions mean to them.

12/02/2007 11:12 AM

by Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World)

Tim: I agree. Those staying "status quo" may be in for a surprise.

Cindy: I don't want to scare anyone either. However, the truth is what it is. Although I was speaking more about the agents in denial than clients.

12/02/2007 11:15 AM

by Team Rhino Couer d'Alene Idaho Sue Nelson & Terry Nachtergaele (Keller Williams Coeur d'Alene)

I'm still seeing prices dropping, buyers waiting for the bottom to fall out and sellers in denial.
But I'm not giving up!!!!

12/02/2007 11:38 AM

by Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent - Nancy Rivera (RE/MAX Leading Edge in Roswell Ga)

Nancy: Atta Girl! We can't control the market, but we can control how we react to it.

12/02/2007 11:39 AM

by Team Rhino Couer d'Alene Idaho Sue Nelson & Terry Nachtergaele (Keller Williams Coeur d'Alene)

There are pockets in every market that swing in opposite directions. So if your overall market is down, you may working an area that is actually up. This way 2 agents from the same geographical market could have different opinions.

12/02/2007 11:40 AM

by Realty First Real Estate and Mortgage Services

Joseph: That is a good point.

12/02/2007 11:41 AM

by Team Rhino Couer d'Alene Idaho Sue Nelson & Terry Nachtergaele (Keller Williams Coeur d'Alene)