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How Bad is the RE Market?

By
Real Estate Agent with Americom Realty

Every day we're innundated with negative news on the RE market.  The national media have forced many buyers to stay on the porch and "hunker down" to weather the storm in response to the blitz of negative reports of negative market condtions.

However, in middle Georgia, things are not all grief and gloom.  Property, priced correctly, continues to move.  And we continue to prove that market conditions are local phenomena.  Fact of the matter, our local market is pretty darned good.  We've got a large military community which moves a number of families on a cylical basis, creating both supply and demand.  We've got a favorable environmental climate and an attractive business climate, both of which continue to draw folks from other parts of the country.  We've got a reasonable cost of living which is attracting neighbors from surrounding states and urban centers.  And, we've got exceptional schools which is a magnet for, well, everyone.

Our challenge is to get the smart money off the porch and back into the game.  We need to carry the message that our local market is in good shape and does not mirror what's on the national scene.  Even in a bad climate, the real estate market, like the stock market, appreciates over time.  Even a slumping market will recover in time and show a postive gain.  In our community, what better time to buy than now?  Interest rates are still favorable.  And absent some catostrphic event, in 3-5 years a current purchaser could reasonably expect to have a decent return on an investment in residential real estate.

I welcome anyone else's thoughts.

Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA
What's your local absoprtion rate?
Mar 13, 2008 02:57 PM
Dave Woodson
Dave Woodson - Chesterton, IN
Not the Average Agent
things in nw indiana are pretty darn good as well, just ask someone who is out working it
Mar 13, 2008 02:58 PM
June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
If it bleeds it leads and unfortunately if it's a great story with positive over tones it often gets buried on page 27.  Our market is in good shape in Maryland too but you'd never know it to read the papers.
Mar 13, 2008 03:20 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production
Let's be honest...things aren't as good as we'd like them to be.  However, I think that things aren't nearly as bad as te press wants us to be.  We're really busy, but we could be busier.  With all that I hear from everyone else, I think that we're doing awesome.
Mar 13, 2008 03:20 PM
Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

I'm glad for you but it is not the case here in Ocala Florida.  Things are picking up though.

It always helps to look on the positive side.  The negative view will only make things worse.

Mar 13, 2008 03:21 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re
Our sales remain constant and as we get into the spring market I expect sales to continue higher than last year.
Mar 13, 2008 03:22 PM
Stacy Boudreaux
Americom Realty - Warner Robins, GA
Unquestionably, it's a buyer's market.  But, both new construction and resales move.  The key for us is pricing right for the market.  Appreciation has flattened out for the last year; but it's not negative.  Considering all the negative national press.  I consider that good news.  And we're getting ready to hit our stride with normal Spring and Summer moves.  I know some markets out there are hurting, especially those rapid growth areas over the past many years.  But, it's refreshing to hear other markets seem to mirror our own.  Good hunting!
Mar 14, 2008 02:29 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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Sep 24, 2015 01:29 PM