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What constitutes a negative real estate industry post?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

What constitutes a negative real estate industry post by Richard WeisserI have often been accused of being a “doom and gloom” writer that focuses on the negative aspects of what is happening in the real estate industry.

But my critics tend to lose sight of the fact that real estate is a business, and all business owners must face the reality that market forces can affect the future of their enterprise.

To ignore these changes would demonstrate a lack of due diligence of behalf of those responsible for making the right decisions for perpetuating their company’s growth and competitive survival.

To suggest that adaptation to change is the remedy for all market maladies and is the cure all for every business ill may be short-sighted.

Adaptation is reactive.

With the proper information in hand businesses can choose to be proactive and businesses owners can choose to direct their own destiny, rather than trying to keep up with changes after the fact.

Keeping that in mind, the dissemination of pertinent and relevant information can be considered as a POSITIVE benefit to decision makers.

 

Knowledge is power. And armed with knowledge and foresight, a business can take positive action before it is too late! 

Comments (38)

Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, We've got a responsibility to ourselves and our clients to have the pertinent knowledge.  Some things I can be proactive with, other things more adaptive.  What I can't be is stagnant.  That just won't cut it in a volatile profession such as ours.  Bil

Jul 30, 2014 12:42 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Richard, I think we all need a big dose of reality - not realty.  I sometimes react to the rosy posts with a great big AAAAARGH!

Jul 30, 2014 01:09 PM
Randi Brammer
Randi Brammer, Acctg. - Hinckley, MN
Accountant & Tax Preparer

Not everything in Real Estate is all rosy.  It has to be talked about to make it better.

Jul 31, 2014 12:59 AM
Chandler Real Estate Liz Harris, MBA
Liz Harris Realty - Chandler, AZ
#ChandlerRealEstateAgent

Fantastic blog post today, thanks for contributing to the Active Rain community, look forward to the next one!

Jul 31, 2014 02:01 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Richard:  I think it's a fine line.  Processing the reality without getting bogged down in the negativity can be hard for some.  Some see the reality as motivation and inspiration.  Others ... a reason to grab the meds.  Ultimately it's the individual's decision which way to lean ...

Gene 

Aug 02, 2014 02:45 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Richard, I like that you can think outside the box and you clearly demonstrate your business accumen. I surely don't see that as negative, perhaps the better word would be instructive. 

Aug 02, 2014 02:53 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Surveying the environment is key to staying in business.  I don't view your posts as much as negative as thought provoking.

Aug 02, 2014 02:58 AM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Richard, thanks for the post

Aug 02, 2014 03:01 AM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I thoroughly enjoy good constructive discussions and exchanges to the betterment of it all. There is much to learn from others, as well to reinforce current knowledge, even if you don't agree.

Adaptation is also good business planning [a result of, as well] and foresight into developing the right strategies, tactics and actions of tomorrow.

I was reading the AZ RE Dept latest bulletin last night, and licensees dropped by 15%.

Aug 02, 2014 03:04 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

The road of ife can be hard, but it is easier when you look forward, try to see the potholes ahead, and figure out how to avoid them.

Aug 02, 2014 03:33 AM
Sandra Paulow
Aspen Properties, Inc. - Pinetop Lakeside, AZ
REALTOR, Associate Broker, GRI, SFR

Richard, I have always found your posts informative.  To approach Real Estate with Rose Colored glasses is to ignore the reality of the industry.  We have been through some very rough times in our industry and the market has changed dramatically in the past several years.  Change comes to fast sometimes and it makes it very difficult to adapt so quickly.  I am like you, I put it out there like it is.  I don't make promises I don't feel I can keep and I tell people the truth even if it isn't what they want to hear.  Most of the time they appreciate the honesty and those who don't are probably not people I want to work for/with anyway.  

Aug 02, 2014 04:51 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

There is the idea in our culture that change is always good. Not all change is good; some industry changes benefit one group over another. Pointing out what might be considered the down side is not negative. During service to my clients, I am not Rebecca from Sunnybrook Farm; it's my job to point out scenarios that could be viewed from their position as "negative." That way they won't be blind-sided if and/or when something comes up. My clients say oh, yeah, you told me about that, or that that could happen. I don't propose to say I know everything, because I don't, but I have to communicate what I do know. I don't think that makes me negative, but honest.

Aug 02, 2014 06:17 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

I have trouble with the word "negative". I am not sure what it means, but I think it mostly means "I do not agree with you".

Posts that point out possible problems or difficulties can be very useful to me, as I might not have considered them from that point of view.

Knowledge is power --  or so they say, so I am always happy to pick up some more knowlege. Keep it coming!

 

Aug 02, 2014 06:25 AM
Anonymous
R Bean

I feel your post is right on target.

As an appraiser it amazes me that most home owners and real estate agents are looking through rose colored glasses. I have to look at the good, bad and ugly of the market and the subject I am appraising. I have no vested interest because my fee is paid regardless of the outcome.

In life or business we should look at all of the facts available to make good decisions and offer good sound advice to our clients.

Keep up the good work.



Aug 02, 2014 06:49 AM
#32
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Knowledge IS power Richard whether it's positive info or negative. It enables the one seeking it to make informed decisions. Clients (the majority I've had the fortune to work with) appreciate honesty! They ask honest questions and deserve & expect honest answers.

Aug 02, 2014 07:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I can understand what you mean.  I've spoken the way you've written. But this industry is filled with pot holes and navigating them is paramount to a successful sale, transaction and client relationship.  It's part of doing business!

Aug 02, 2014 08:32 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I used to get Michael Masterson's Early to Rise newsletter. For at least a year before the housing crash he was telling his readers that it had to happen. "Sell now - prices will plummet." He was, of course, advising that then was NOT the time to buy. 

He didn't have a crystal ball - he was just watching the world and making predictions based on what he saw happening. 

Aug 02, 2014 10:00 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

There's always an opportunity regardless if our industry is experiencing a positive or negative condition. It's simply up to  us to recognize when and how to use the circumstances to our benefit.

 

Aug 02, 2014 06:43 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Truth is truth.  It is important to give people your best.  I was taught there are no good markets or bad markets.  Just different markets.

Aug 04, 2014 02:26 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

I think the key is to discuss the challenges we face, yet not get bogged down in the weeds. Rather spend the majority of the time addressing the issue, then focusing on the solutions.  Great discussion. 

Aug 07, 2014 04:11 PM