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How's the Market?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Bart Vickrey & Co Real Estate

How's the market?  Has anyone been asked that questions recently?  They ask me that question with a grimace on their face like I may be in pain.  And sure the market is different than it was a couple of years ago but in our area it's not too bad!  I am in Northwest Indiana and specialize in Valparaiso, Portage, and Chesterton.

Several areas of the country experienced sharp appreciation over the past several years.  Northwest Indiana wasn't necessarily one of those markets.  Sure we appreciated during that time and the real estate market was solid in our area, but we were at around 5% a year in appreciation.  So now that markets are adjusting the media has swarmed with a doomsday message that real estate has imploded and we are now in a recession.  Media has delivered this message for going on two years now, and in several areas of the country has succeeded in driving down the market.

But here in good old Northwest Indiana we have no legitimate reason for a slowdown.  Sure the implosion of subprime eliminated a number of buyers, but they should not have been buyers in the first place.  Our local economy is good, we are close to the third largest city in the country, our property taxes (especially in Porter County), are not bad, and our schools are very good.  So don't let the media dictate your life, now is a fantastic time to buy a home!

When I'm asked "How's the market", I reply that I hear there is a real slowdown but I have chosen not to participate.  Real estate is local and it always will be.  Buy!  Buy!  Buy!! 

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes
We are very busy here...not sure about the other Realtors...I have not had time to look back.
Mar 21, 2008 11:11 AM
Kevin Teeters
Kevin Teeters Realty LLC - Hickory, NC
Hickory NC Realtors

Business is booming in our region, too.  Sure, foreclosures are up, but the demand for new homes and the supply of them keeps increasing.  I think it has something to do with the fact that NC is #3 in the nation for population growth.  I'm grateful to be in such an ideal location right now.

Mar 21, 2008 11:14 AM
Abe Do
Olympia, WA
Great post, wish everyone felt this way.
Mar 21, 2008 11:15 AM
Bart Vickrey
Bart Vickrey & Co Real Estate - Valparaiso, IN
I have a friend in Frisco Texas, Mike Reese, he said they are doing great!  How close are you to Frisco?
Mar 21, 2008 11:16 AM
Show4you Realty Redefining Full Service with our Limo
Show4you Realty - La Canada, CA

Here in Southern California the market did take a turn for the worse at the end of last year. We have alot of short sales and alot of foreclosures. However we have seen a pick up, at least for our company. More and more people are ready to buy...and that is great news. The market is finally coming around full circle at least for us. People are still really scared to buy a home right now! It is not 100% back to where it was a year ago but we are slowly getting there. Hang in!

Mar 21, 2008 11:37 AM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru
Bart, welcome to ActiveRain. I hope that you find your time here as rewarding as I do.
Mar 21, 2008 12:29 PM
Benjamin Clark
Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT
Buyer's Agent - Certified Negotiation Expert

Welcome to Active Rain! For some tips on how to get started here, check out my blog entry at ActiveRain Fast-Start Tips for Quick and Easy Points

Happy blogging and good luck!

Mar 21, 2008 05:08 PM
Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Hello Bart,

Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!

-Keith

Mar 21, 2008 06:28 PM
Dorene Shirley
The Mortgage & Property Connection - Campbell, CA
Silicon Valley Real Estate

Bart - Welcome to the Rain, make sure that you browse the site and become familiar with everything this site has to offer.  The more you browse the more you will learn.  I have found this site to be really helpful to me.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me, I will do whatever I can to help.

http://www.doreneshirley.com/

Mar 21, 2008 10:20 PM