Ardell~ You are so right about having to work smarter and harder.  Those that are doing the same as they have always done, are very likely to not be here next year. There a re many changes that we as agents must keep up with in order to be the best in out field. 

Ardell, our numbers too are showing about 30% of the active inventory selling but after a much longer market time.  I no longer believe it is price, buyers need a shot of confidence. My personal opinion is that here in the greater Seattle area, the slowdown is all about consumer confidence rather than any true economic factors.

I am working a lot harder for the same amount of deals too.  Thats okay. I will be better for it in the end.

Ardell,

Thanks for telling it like it is...

...and, as a vendor, I am trying to work smarter, but may be genetically prohibited from doing so.

Steve

Ardell,

We just need to make some better choices in listings and buyer clients.

I guess those things fall under the "Work smarter" heading.

Let the other folks have the "No Sales" and the lookie-loo's."

Hey Ardell

I was reading this very interesting article on this press-shy broker in NYC and how she treats her job and her obsessive desire to know everything about the market.

It's a great article.

http://ny.therealdeal.com/articles/top-townhouse-broker-speaks

Good article Ardell. I like the way you are personally dealing with it by taking matters into your hands and making it happen. That sure beats sitting around and crying in a coffee cup while aggressively i for the telephone to ring.There are many people who, instead, try to follow that path to success.

Hmmmm...

I just looked at my market... June of 2006 was the highest number of sales in Thurston County at 502 homes sold that month, but the 6 month average of that summer was about 400 per month. We are selling about 250 homes per month now, maybe a little less. That is a 39% drop in numbers of homes selling. That is a lot of extra work!

Yup Sarah, that's a little worse than our King County Average of 32% fewer sales.  Some areas are doing very well...so others are doing much worse to make the overall number 32%.  There's a neighborhood in Redmond that seems to be selling as soon as a house hits the market, unless they are really overpriced.

Ardell - Our sales in Nashville were down 28 percent last month, and inventory was up 20 percent. I have noticed a lot of activilty this month, and buyers have been buying home, at least mine. I think the tide has turned in this area.

I do expect to become a much smarter real estate prefessional because of the lessons I learn here at active rain. Keep showing us the way.

I am so tired.  I agree, working harder for less.  Sales are 50% less in some areas in Westchester County year to date over last year.  The good news is that I am busy.

Ardell - We've been working 66% harder for 2 years... Central Florida is littered with agents who've given up and left the business!  I've given up watching television to work and spend endless hours prospecting for new business... I think that there will be 66% less REALTORS when the market turns around here.

The truth is the truth. These are some taxing times. Best wishes in all your efforts. Don't overwork yourself and foremost remember to manage your life and enjoy.

Dionne,

I am overworking myself, but I don't have a choice at the moment.  Looking forward to a big break somewhere down the line.