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Observing Reality In The Economy

By
Real Estate Agent with BCR Realtors 262359

I don't watch a lot of television but really do enjoy the finance and business specialty news shows. It is truly amazing to me how different the views are these days among the numerous commentators and guests who appear on these shows really are. Some still say to invest in safe and proven mutual funds. Some say look at Gold. Some say diversify on individual stocks, some say buy safe tax free municipal bond funds.  Some say put your money in CD's and money markets. Basicaly it has become like a crap shoot to me trying to decide what to do.

And what I don't get is ..... with all the volatility in the world stock markets and banking industry,  is why don't those investors with hard cash come out more than they have been, and start making a bigger go at real estate.  Are they waiting for a particular reason?  Or are they just thinking that perhaps real estate will decline more and offer even better opportunities to pick up a bargain? Unfortunately about the only sector of the economy many investors trust anymore is the inside of a mattress! Or are they just afraid to risk their cash at all?

Another really good way I have found to see how the local economy is doing is to just go on an observation shopping trip. Go to several stores and just see for yourself what the retail business is really like. I seem to have observed a definite decline in the number of retail shoppers lately. I hope this is just temporary!

 

Comments (5)

Lynn Johnson
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, MN Real Estate

Trey - your observations are good ones.  The retail activity says a lot about the local economy.  Our community has a diverse manufacturing base, but we've seen 250 jobs lost and companies shutting down for weeks due to lack of sales and orders.  Hopefully things will be on track soon.

Jan 24, 2009 03:30 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Lynn

There is one facility in my area that laid of between 700 and 800. If you count all the family members that is a lot if, they all leave the area seeking jobds elsewhere.

Jan 25, 2009 10:08 AM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Trey -  Good points made.  In Ohio we have seen a number of business move out of state and numerous jobs lost.  Unemployment has risen to 7.8% and will most likely increase in the months ahead.

Jan 25, 2009 11:43 PM
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

I seem to have observed a definite decline in the number of retail shoppers lately.

I see the same thing in Southern CA.  In addition to the decline in shoppers, we have stores and restaurants that have closed.  We even have less traffic on the freeways!  So it's not all bad.  :)

Jan 28, 2009 03:33 PM
Don Eichler
Eichler Properties - Granbury, TX

Trey, It is a little scary out there in our business but I still think that there a lot of investors that are buying at this time.  I just wish more of them would come our way. Here in town Mooney Aircraft laid off about 400 within the last year. That is a lot for the size of this town.

Feb 01, 2009 01:42 PM