"Don't Watch, Read or Listen to the News If You Can't Handle The News"

There's not a week that goes by that I don't encounter an agent who uses "The market is bad" as an excuse for inactivity.  There's also "I'm waiting for the market to stabilize."

I've referenced these phrases in previous blogs, so please forgive the redundancy.  Phrases like this (in the aforementioned contexts) are an immediate indicator of an agent who needs help.  Not everyone who becomes a real estate professional understands that they are not an employee, but are basically in business for themselves.  You can't wait for something to happen...it's up to you to make it happen.

The news media is notorious for filling the airwaves with gloom and doom about how bad the market is and how it's getting worse?  I'm going to steal a couple of phrases/quotes from Rory Wilfong, co-founder of the company I work for (GetMyHomesValue.com):

"There has never been a time where people stop buying houses."

"Don't watch, read or listen to the news if you can't handle the news."

In a "down" market, SOMEONE is still getting business.  If it's not you, ask yourself 'why?'  Transactions are still happening all over the place.  The successful, career-minded agents look at a market like this almost like a cleansing process...it effectively weeds out agents who aren't willing to put out the effort.  I know it sounds harsh, but it's the reality of any competitive vocation.

With that in mind, it's refreshing that REALOGY is trying to combat all the negative press with an ad campaign to encourage buyers.  Click on the quote below to read the full article from RISMedia, written by Beth McGuire:

"The company is spreading the word through a national advertising campaign in USA Today, which began this past Wednesday and will run again on Feb. 13th and 20th. This is Realogy’s second national push in as many years to take a strong stance against the barrage of negative press directed toward the real estate industry over what is reported as the declining condition of the housing market. "

If all the negative press is affecting your drive and your performance as an agent, don't listen to it.   Make adjustments for a more competitive market.  If you're not getting transactions, prospect and you will find new opportunities.  They're out there waiting for a good agent to make the first effort...it might as well be you!