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Cautiously Optimistic....

Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate Sl0225073979

September 30, 2008 02:42 AM

Yesterday my day was dominated by my cell phone. I had calls about listings, land, and what our market is doing. It was a noticeably busier day. I spoke to a colleague and she also had a lot of calls and appointments lined up. Hmmmm.....

I also had a call from my mother in-law who has property for sale. She also has money market accounts. I found what she had to say very interesting. What she said was....

I think I will hold onto my house ( it was for sale) and maybe buy more. I know where my money is ...I feel like it's ( her money) safer in the house, prices are low, and it is an investment. I have made money with the houses and land we have bought over the years.

Yesterday I also met up with an out of state buyer. She, on a whim, had flown down to check out the area. Her comments were also interesting....here is part of what she said:

Don't even get me started I am soooo sick of the stock market! I think now is a good time to buy.

I will remain cautiously optimistic.... (and am very interested to see if this trend continues)

What is happening with your market are you noticing any subtle changes?

For more information on market areas, local events and real estate I can be reached here where I am At Home By The Gulf

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Betina Foreman

WJK Realty - Austin, TX

Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

You have to be optimistic in this business. You can't let the doom and gloom media get you down.

;)

Sep 30, 2008 02:44 AM

Jim Curry

Long & Foster - Frederick, MD

I've noticed an increase in activity; some of my buyers that have been pssively looking are actually putting offers in (Maryland). Hope it's just the beginning.

Sep 30, 2008 02:48 AM

Lanette Branch

Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD

Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

I'm always cautiously optimistic.

Folks will always purchase real estate since folks will always need shelter.

That's just the bottom line.

Sep 30, 2008 02:48 AM

Anonymous

Jeff Sellers (The Sellers Realty Lubbock,TX)

Yes, people are sick of the stock market and are leaning towards investing in real estate. We know of investors especially from out of state looking to buy land, multifamily,etc. Real estate is an awesome and relatively very safe long term investment. Look past the rain for the rainbows!

Sep 30, 2008 02:52 AM

Bill Ladewig

LoanOfficerSchool.com - Escondido, CA

Experience Is Your Advantage

Optimism is the difference between life's winners and losers.

Sep 30, 2008 02:58 AM

Michael Wayne Jackson

Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA

Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

Yesterday was extremely busy for me too. I wonder if it's just because it was monday. I'm sure the bailout flop had something to do with it.

Sep 30, 2008 02:59 AM

Kay Bennett

First Realty Company - Cookeville, TN

Your Best Cookeville Area Agent!

Being optimistic will bring us out of this situation. Hopefully we wont see a negative panic and things will get back to normal soon

Sep 30, 2008 03:00 AM

Rebecca Schrader

Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

Shannon,

You absolutely have to be optimistic (cautiously so)...Business is booming here...and we've been burning the candle at both ends lately...it's just silly! But we're loving every minute of it...Positive people attract positive people (the same can be said for negative folks attracting negativity)...so we are very optimistic that our business will continue to prosper...what other choice do we have? Go home and crawl into bed and wait until the doom and gloom is over...? NOT!

Sep 30, 2008 03:25 AM

Joe Cafasso

Real Living Wareck D'Ostilio Real Estate - New Haven, CT

Shannon,

That was a great blog. You're right, this whole stock market fiasco should help our business. I've been working with a few buyers for the last two weeks who haven't even mentioned the stock market!

Joe

Sep 30, 2008 04:49 AM

Shannon Gilmore, CRS

Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA

Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

Betina and Lanette you are both right optimism is so necessary! Yes people will still need a roof over their heads. Let's hope they see the value in putting their money in second homes, vacation properties, and investment homes as well.

Jeff That is the good news and I love the expression about looking past the rain for the rainbows.... sounds like a good post title to me :-) Glad to hear that investors are making moves...YAY compared to what is going on real estate is looking like the safer bet!

Bill Thanks for the kind words ... I am a WINNER - Hooray :-)

Mike Thanks for sharing what was happening in CA. Interesting - I agree I think it was related. Let's hope it continues ... I appreciate the comment!

Kay Good point ! I think we are the most optimistic profession that hangs in there and does a lot to stay positive and focus on reality. We often don't get portrayed that way but despite all the doom and gloom homes continue to be bought and sold and YES it will get better!

Sep 30, 2008 07:23 AM

Shannon Gilmore, CRS

Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA

Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

Rebecca Great news - thanks for sharing and it must feel terrific to be busy ! I agree negativity only begets more negativity. I choose to take the positive, optimistic road and feel excited to go to work in the morning. I think with your attitude and some new focus on what a good buy real estate can be you'll continue to prosper! Super for you! Thanks for the positive story!

Joe Oh thanks so much! I'm glad you are busy with buyers! A little clear thinking and optimism can go a long way. Nowadays why NOT real estate? Thanks for the comment1

Sep 30, 2008 07:28 AM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Shannon: What I have run into a lot more this week is people who come up to me with the question "so I guess it's a challenging time to be in real estate"? So I tell them our local market is not anything as dire as the national news. Then they launch into questions regarding what do I think about the freaky national economic situation. I am amazed at the attention I'm getting because people want answers from somebody. I wish I knew those answers. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out!

Sep 30, 2008 12:07 PM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Shannon it is hard to see the glass as half full right now but we just have to keep doing it. Reading Shannon L's post tonight it sounds like your market is doing pretty well. Up here is Mass it is the worst I have seen it since I got in the business 22 years ago!

Sep 30, 2008 02:43 PM

Greg Gorman

John R Wood Properties - Naples, FL

Naples Florida Real Estate

Fun email and I love the graphics. Good things are happening. We had 6 sales last month (that used to be our weekly numbers!) and October looks great as well. We have a lot to look forward to in Naples and you are already experiencing the positive changes. We're lucky to be on the same page and I'm inspired by your positive ehthusiasm...opps I mean your cautious optimistism.

Sep 30, 2008 10:45 PM

Shannon Gilmore, CRS

Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA

Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

Hi Ann After all of this time I don't understand why so many people just let the news dictate what is for them... Real Estate is a local market - national trends are interesting but don't tell the story of what is happening in Birmingham or Naples - I'm always so shocked by this.. I had someone from TN tell me it was a rotten time to be in real estate here....although he know nothing of what was going on in sales - just the perception . I do understand people want some answers and I guess with the lending situation think you have them. Wouldn't it be great if we did ??? - I 'd publish Sh-inman news :-) Anyway thanks for sharing... It will be interesting - let's see what tonight brings!

Bill I am sorry to hear that it is still so slow up there... remember also though we work on a unique calendar and often our busy season is your slower season - although this year has been kinda whacko with more activity this summer then last... anyway stay positive and we are pulling for you! Watching the Today Show this morning I heard the guests who supported leaving money in 401k's say the stock market was " cyclical" doesn't that sound oddly familiar????

Greg Hooray for Team Paradise... we'll take the small improvements , 6 SALES is AWESOME and yes I'm ready to go! I am postively and ethusiastic optimist!

Oct 01, 2008 12:59 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

SHANNON, I spent the last two days following up on all the people I have on automatic notification. I was amazed at how many emailed me back telling me they were still planning on making a move or moving here within the next year. So yes I was cautiously optimistic also yesterday.

Oct 01, 2008 02:27 AM

Shannon Gilmore, CRS

Long and Foster Real Estate - Warrenton, VA

Real Estate Sales Associate with Long and Foster

Marchel That is excellent news and hooray for your automated systems! ( I think there is a post in there :-)) I hope you we are right and that things continue to improve ... hey just having electricity now that is an improvement!!!

Oct 02, 2008 07:21 AM

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