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Finding the Good in Bad News

By
Real Estate Agent with Chuck Willman 9334967-SA00

Morning Paper by Cris Watk - http://www.sxc.hu/profile/criswatk

Today the Fed cut the overnight lending rate by .75 points.

The stock market responded with the highest gains in five years.

A reporter has a choice:

  • Explain the pitiful state of the economy that requires such drastic measures.
  • Analyze the the move as a demonstration that there are still many buyers in the market.

I remember a Finance professor in the Arizona State MBA Program who said that psychology can always be found behind the moves in every market. He explained that there are opportunities in upside down markets. In each market, every seller finds a buyer... even if "the buy" is perceived to be low.

We are in an economic downturn- about that there is no speculation.

But in this downturn there are opportunities.

Here's some more "bad? news":

New Home construction fell by .6% ... the experts expected a .2 % drop. The news outlets will most likely report this as further proof of a horrendous new homes market. My take on this information? Great news for builders. Maybe they can unload more inventory rather than flood the market with more new homes.

Even more "bad? news":

We may already be in a recession. For Arizona that usually means we entered the recession sooner than most of the nation. The good news in this? It has been Arizona's history to springboard out of recession sooner... each time with impressive growth.

I'm not an advocate of ignoring the news.

I am an advocate of looking at the big picture and figuring out what some of the markets signals really mean.

This is the way to find bargains and investment opportunities.

-----

Chuck Willman is the founder of USA Vest network- a collection of investment minded individuals who specialize in real estate. He also helps first time home buyers join the home ownership ranks by assisting them in finding low money down homes.

Chuck Willman: 480.292.0600

www.azvest.com 

Comments(7)

Lori Lincoln And Associates
Top Agent Serving Dighton Taunton, Rehoboth and more! - Taunton, MA
Top Agent Taunton,Dighton Rehoboth &more
Finding a rose among the thorns..there is so much opportunity in this market. As humans when we pay too much attention to the negative, we miss all the opportunites presented to us!
Mar 18, 2008 12:43 PM
Deb Jamail
HomeLife Southern Properties - Galveston, TX
Galveston County Real Estate
Chuck..Thanks for that look on the bright side.  There is a rainbow after every storm!!
Mar 18, 2008 12:46 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Lori: I love that expression... and plan on using it soon!

Deb: I completely agree.

Mar 18, 2008 12:57 PM
Paul Francis
Francis Group Real Estate - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Real Estate Agent - Summerlin Homes

Chuck,

My finance teacher taught us to buy low and sell high :)

The overall psychology of the general population is to follow. The truly wealthy go where other people are not looking and seeking opportunities created by bad news from journalists who can't even give you the proper definition of an investment to begin with.

(Oh.. according to Moody's, Arizona is right with Nevada and already in a recession -- and as you rightly point out, we generally bounce out of it first.)

Mar 18, 2008 12:59 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
Thanks for the corroborating evidence Paul!
Mar 18, 2008 01:00 PM
Jose Gonzalez
Tu Casa Real Estate - Salem, OR

Great post. I believe everything has a good and a bad side. 

 Please don't apologize for "advocating ignoring the news".  I always encourage people to look at the positive side of any bad news.  In our business it can mean a lot of opportunity. 

This post reminds us of what our true role as Real Estate Professionals.  To help people!!

So, we MUST find the solutions for them.  In my market, we are investing a lot of time EDUCATING, and inturn we are being recognized as a valuable resource for anything Real Estate. 

Actually......... I do spend a lot of time ignoring all the bad news!

Apr 14, 2008 04:20 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Jose- we do live in a time where there are silver linings to the bad news.
Apr 15, 2008 05:04 AM