There's a question that we agents are being asked on an almost daily basis. And it is one that is sometimes very difficult to answer. It certainly shouldn't elicit a one-word response. There is a good and bad side to every market and depending on whether the one inquiring is a buyer or seller, they may have different feelings about the information you reveal.
If you ask me, today's market is pretty exciting. We have had some interesting corrections lately and the mortgage industry had a large hiccup (okay, more like a drunken belch). However, for a buyer the market is fantastic, especially since we are seeing signs of future stabilization. Even for sellers, the conditions are not bad if you price and market the property correctly. This means taking full advantage of the Internet, since 80% of buyers begin their search there.
I know that it was easier for agents a couple of years ago when you just put a property on the MLS and then it sold that weekend. However, it was not much of a challenge to do that. It was certainly more challenging to represent buyers during that time but it was also risky because you would have to represent buyers who were paying more than the house would be worth in the future.
I'm not a masochist, but I enjoy a challenge. I like to work on a transaction and get the satisfaction of a job well done. I am also a problem-solver. It is very rewarding to me to help a buyer find just the right home. It is also exciting to be able to work with a seller, take good photos and market the property effectively to end up with a satisfying sale.
In our current market, I am becoming involved with short sales more and more. This is gratifying because I am able to help sellers avoid foreclosure. On the buy side, it is wonderful to work with individuals and help them purchase a nice property at a good price. So the market may not be as "easy" as it was in the past, but it is still an exciting place to be!
See also:
Short Sales: To Buy or Not to Buy?
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