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It is time to set the record straight about the 'REAL' real estate market!

By
Real Estate Agent with The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group 209227

NO...the sky is NOT falling! The world, as we know it, is not coming to an end. Neither is the real estate industry coming to an end. In fact, things may be a whole lot better than the national media has led you to believe.

You've heard reports of the vast numbers of foreclosures across the country, the widespread drop in the number of home sales and the record-breaking decrease in property values. As a result, many potential buyers are terrified of purchasing a home now...for fear that it will be worth less than the purchase price on the day of closing. On the other hand, many home owners are reluctant to place their homes on the market because they have heard that it is a buyers' market...that they will have to ‘give their home away' if they want to sell.  

If your mother was anything like my mother, she probably told you NOT to believe everything you hear. Your mother was right!

So...to whose voice should you be listening?

Who is telling the truth?

Who can you trust to give you accurate information and sound advice?

  

The answer is simple...TRUST the EXPERTS who KNOW the FACTS!

 

The following chart shows the TOTAL number of closed real estate sales for the Durham, North Carolina area between 2000 and 2007. In general, the graph shows a steady increase in total sales from 2001 to 2006...with a slight overall decrease by 50 sales in 2007.

This data was taken directly from the Triangle Multiple Listing Service. It represents ALL sales that were closed with a licensed REALTOR® who was also a member of the Triangle Multiple Listing Service. The data does not reflect 'For Sale By Owner' transactions.

 

Real Estate Sales for Durham, NC 2000 thru 2007

 

In December, I wrote two other articles that address the challenges of our current market...as it relates to both BUYERS and SELLERS. I've included the links to these posts for those of you who have not read them.

REAL ESTATE MARKET IN TROUBLE??? It's just a matter of perspective!

Real Estate Market in Trouble? Part TWO for SELLERS!!!

 

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Homes for Sale

Lance Cutsforth
RoboDocs - Newport Beach, CA
Unfortunately, SHOCK sells, not always the TRUTH.  I firmly believe that most journalists are working on their own agenda (i.e. sell the story) instead of seeking to report all sides of the story.  We're seeing a correction in the marketplace, which is to be expected after it heated and ran for so long.  We're also seeing those who monger in bad news capitalizing on the situation, to the detriment of the economy.  Thanks for being a voice in the wilderness, Elizabeth!
Jan 18, 2008 08:24 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Elizabeth,

Fear and panic-mongering is much more newsworthy than stability and truth.  In the mainstream media it's all about ratings and market share.  A national news network won't hold either of those honors if they don't spew spectacularly alarming 'news'.  

Our market is stabilizing.  The inventory is dwindling a little at a time.  And buyers are starting to find their comfort level.  It just takes perseverance on our part.

GBU my friend! 

Jan 18, 2008 08:34 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369
Elizabeth, this is the busiest January I've had. I've worked with four different buyers this week and I sold a house on Thursday. I don't see it letting up in Lynchburg anytime soon.
Jan 18, 2008 09:17 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
I'm really busy, so not all bad here, all a matter of perception. Could it be better? Yes, it could but it looks like you all sold more homes this year. Are you going to family reunion?
Jan 18, 2008 09:23 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Elizabeth, It's true, fear sells....if you think about it, the news tries to scare us with everything.  I rarely if ever see something positive on the news!
Jan 18, 2008 09:33 AM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
It's up to us to do our own research, from multiple sources, in order to see the big picture. We all know we can't trust the media on ANY subject!
Jan 18, 2008 10:26 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Wow, Elizabeth..an Excellent Market Report.   I read a post by Renee Burrows out of Las Vegas which also expressed the same sentiment.  Most people don't know...myself included until I read an article in the last January 21, 2008 Newsweek entitled "Lollipop Economics 101," that even at the height of the real estate boom, the real estate market only accounted for 5.5% of economic activity in the United States.  To hear the media blaming everything real estate related as associated with the recession they are hell bent on creating, is to totally discount this salient fact.
Jan 18, 2008 10:26 AM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Elizabeth,

It looks like things are pretty good for you in NC. Our numbers reflect the same trend, with a steady increase and then a leveling off last year. So far, it's been a slow start to the year, but it's no less than it was last year. The media is trying real hard to push us into a recession right now. We'll just have to see if the general public believes everything they see and hear.

Jan 18, 2008 10:54 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Elizabeth, GREAT POST!!  You let the facts speak for themselves. 
Jan 18, 2008 11:44 AM
Desiree Daniels
RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

You tell em'.   Don't buy into the BS you hear in the media.  Ask your LOCAL expert what the housing market is doing in your area.  <exhale>

Hope ya had a great holiday.  And a happy belated New Year!

Jan 18, 2008 11:49 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
Elizabeth it seems we are all on the same page!  I did a simlar post for my area and Adam did one for Long Island!  It's time we Realtors® start fighting back and set the media straight!!!  Nice job!!
Jan 18, 2008 08:34 PM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate
I don't know about the rest but if it is such a bad market then how come I have been busy since the holidays? Go figure.
Jan 18, 2008 11:20 PM
M A
Boston, MA

I just got hit by a chunk of sky!!!!  Ahhhhh!!!!!!

(Yet another new Meez!.... busy blogging with your back to the football game.... I like it!)

Jan 19, 2008 01:15 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

LANCE-  I truly believe that IF we listened to the media and trusted them, we'd all pack up and leave this business. ME...oh no! I'm gonna tell it like it is...regardless of who does/does not like it. At least, I know I've got you (and ALL the other commentators) on my side! Thanks for stopping by!!

CAROL-  Well EXACTLY! IF they did not report bad news...they'd have nothing about which to talk. Wait a minute! Can you imagine that? You turn on the news, and the reporters are like, "Well...things are so great...we just wanna tell you how great it is!!" Oh well...NICE THOUGHT!! GBU TOO!!

DEBBIE-  I'm so happy for you! I'm sticking to my campaign slogan:  "2008 is THE YEAR OF SURPRISES!!"

MISSY-  Like you said, I've been much busier. However, there is work for those who actually want to work here. Many people would rather talk about the problem than do anything to change it.

CAROLE-  Honestly, I don't really watch it regularly. I do keep my ears to the ground for the important stuff, but I'm not interested in hearing how many gang bangers got arrested. It is just too depressing!

LISA-  I'm giving you a BIG HIGH FIVE!!!

LOLA-  EXACTLY!! In essence, they are manipulating the news to make more news. Doesn't sound right to me. What about you??

 

Jan 19, 2008 07:33 AM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island
ELIZABETH - Great job of telling it like it is in the Durham area of NC.  The buyers and sellers in your market should be looking at this information, not the national news that use a broad scope to discuss the market, and have no clue as to what is going on in your area.  Nicely done!
Jan 19, 2008 08:26 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.
Great post Elizabeth.  Our market in Bryan College Station had very, very similar results.  When someone asked about a being in a recession, I had them compare last years numbers to data from the 1980's where sales fell almost 50%.  Huge difference between now and then. 
Jan 21, 2008 05:00 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Elizabeth,

Another fine post. I see that you posted to localism. Can I assume Google picked this up and where can I see it on Google and for what search term. I'm starting to figure out how google operates! 

Jan 21, 2008 05:08 AM
Tom Plant
WINEormous.com - Murrieta, CA
Elizabeth -Amen. Tell it, sister. What a great post. We are the ones with our fingers on the pulse.
Jan 25, 2008 02:59 AM