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SnowBoarding And The Real Estate Market!!!

By
Title Insurance with Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.

 The Real Estate Market...it's like the weather...kinda!!!

It's Monday morning, and I usually get some serious business thoughts in my brain that wind up as my first post of the work week! I don't feel those kind of vibes this Monday morning...there are plenty of serious posts on Active Rain, so if you need to start off your week with some 'hard core' real estate information to wash down with your morning cup of coffee, feel free to drift off to another blog!!!

For many months we have been whittling down our title business, cutting out any 'fat' or non necessities, streamlining for greater efficiency, renting out extra space in our building...anything to increase revenues and reduce expenses...and most of it works to improve operations...but like many of you out there, operating at less than full velocity mode is not very satisfying...you can get tired of cruising in 'first gear'!

 Actually, I think we're in 'second gear' thanks to favorable January and February months back to back...who knows, if March is as good, we may even be able to shift into high gear once more...maybe not quite 'overdrive' yet, but nevertheless steady improvement!

And that's the point of this post!

Many of us have been awaiting an epiphanial event, a stroke of the government pen, a broad brush to immediately right the course of the real estate market, to instantaneously come popping out of the 'slump box'! Well, the stock market may act and react that way, but not the real estate market...you see, the real estate market is a behemoth...it has a lot of drag...a long tail...it is not a streamline plane designed for slippery sailing...but rather a huge 'time machine' that put puts along at its best...a kind of a hybrid of sorts, but not a very efficient one...first operating on fuel, then on electricity, then on batteries, then concentrating on recharging, then back to fuel, and so forth!

 My kids learned this weekend after our first over 3" snowfall of the year...that 'slippery slope' they enjoyed snowboarding down in less than 10 seconds, requires many minutes and a lot of energy to scale back up the hill for the next ride!

Let's learn a lesson from our kids and nature...let's not unrealistically think there's a magic wand that's going to get us out of this mess, anymore than there's a magic way for a kid to get back up on top of that snow covered hill as quickly as he went down!!!

If you don't agree with this scenario, try Googling 'snow boarding'...even a hint of getting back up the hill won't become apparent until page 13!!! We always see the glamour side of things portrayed, but rarely the 'hard work' side!!!

All that excess baggage that the 'real estate express' gathered in the years after 2001 is now loaded onto a huge vehicle at the bottom of a hill... the hill is long and slippery and the load is heavy!!!

                                                           

 

Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Fran

We just need to keep standing on that snowboard. It is happening.

Sincerely

Tom bRaatz

Feb 25, 2008 01:06 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Tom,

You eternal Wisconsin optimist!!! :) Thanks,   Fran  

Feb 25, 2008 01:40 AM
Rob Robinson- Lehigh Valley PA
Bertrum Settlements (Title & Abstract) - Allentown, PA

If those dang blasted Realtors would get their buyers a movin'......

:^)

It has been a great time to improve efficiency !

Happy Monday. 

Feb 25, 2008 02:21 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Rob,

We've become so stinkin' efficient we can't wait to prove it!!! LOL Thanks,   Fran

Feb 25, 2008 02:49 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

The ride is always more fun that the work that it takes to get to the ride. The same thing applies with Disney land, you wait in line for an hour for a 3 minute ride. Is it worth it? Most think so including myself!

Another great post Fran,

Feb 25, 2008 03:32 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Todd,

Just goes to prove how dumb we Americans are!!! :^) Thanks,   Fran

Feb 25, 2008 04:18 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Most of us with any sense have stremlined and pared down to a point where, when business does go up, our profit picture will be better than ever. 

 

Feb 25, 2008 10:37 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Lenn,

I can't wait to take advantage of that!!! Thanks,   Fran

Feb 25, 2008 01:57 PM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK
Great analogy, Fran.  Many folks are facing a major uphill climb... let's hope their memory of the past few years keeps them warm. :)  Best to remember history lest we repeat it, no?
Feb 25, 2008 09:57 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Jesse & Kathy,

What burns me up is how we let other economies control ours when God has blessed us with so many 'natural' resources...I don't like seeing so many families hurt by overwhelming debt partially caused by rising oil and gas prices...especially those on fixed incomes!!! Thanks for letting me rant,   Fran

Feb 25, 2008 10:25 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor
Fran - you just burst my bubble by telling me there is no magic wand! Does that mean my magic broom also has to be retired??? How will I get around???
Feb 26, 2008 02:05 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Barbara-Jo & Bill,

No comment...I know when to keep my mouth shut!!! LOL, Thanks,   Fran

Feb 26, 2008 02:14 AM