The Tides-they are a changin'

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Avalon 0789718

In 1964, Bob Dylan wrote a song titled The Times They Are A Changin' and 50 years later the times are still changing.  As a real estate agent, I am often asked about market conditions and inventory status.  There is a phrase in this business that all real estate is local, and it is true, to a certain degree.  Mortgage rules and regulations, federal housing laws and compliance issues are not necessarily local and apply to all homeowners.  State laws, transfer taxes and disclosure requirements are also applied equally to transactions throughout the entire state.

"Local" is what matters to buyers and sellers in their town, in the moment.  The area I service is on the southern coast of New Jersey.  It is not far from Atlantic City but what is happening to "the world's playground" may barely cause a ripple just 40 miles down the coast.  The towns of Avalon, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle and points south are full of summer visitors and second home owners.  The knowledge they need from a real estate agent is what is going on in their town at that moment that would affect a decision to buy or sell.  

A good agent will have the knowledge or the resources to gather the information necessary to assist in the sale or purchase of a property.  A good agent will know whether it is high tide (sell) or low tide (buy) and a great agent will know if the tides in the market are a changin'.

Comments (32)

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

An excellent post... you said it all in this quote.

"A good agent will have the knowledge or the resources to gather the information necessary to assist in the sale or purchase of a property.  A good agent will know whether it is high tide (sell) or low tide (buy) and a great agent will know if the tides in the market are a changin'."

Feb 04, 2015 12:53 PM
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Very true Marilyn.   Things are always changing, and I've got to keep up with it on the lending side, too.  Love that song, by the way : )

Feb 04, 2015 12:57 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Marilyn O'Donoghue - It seems to me that the tides are almost always changing in real estate.

Feb 04, 2015 02:35 PM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Its always been a big part of our business to keep up with not only local rules, and laws that affect real estate transactions but also any other conditions that might help or hurt the housing prices.  Companies closing or downsizing has such an enormous ripple effects like the Cities of Detroitm Dayton etc... Always helps to keep in the know if any new developments occuring in the market.

Feb 04, 2015 07:38 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Real estate is fixed position, local but your buyers better not only come from close by. Your market is the four corners of the World... delivering to them instantly, out in the wild blue yonder audience is critical to be timely. Like speed of thought quick like a bunny as used to tell the kids when time to hurry scurry.

Feb 04, 2015 08:02 PM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Not only is real estate local, i.e., town to town, but sometimes street to street!  A skilled real estate agent will know the nuances of their market.

Feb 04, 2015 08:29 PM
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Good point Kat Palmiotti . Street to street is right, especially in my neighbourhood!

Feb 04, 2015 09:03 PM
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

Thanks to all for a great discussion.  We are never alone in the RAIN

Feb 04, 2015 09:07 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

We have to keep our pulse on the market at all times. Even within my city of Gilbert there are so many vast differences from neighborhood to neighborhood and it's my job to educate my buyers of those differences so they can make the right decision for them.

Feb 04, 2015 10:57 PM
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

The one constant in life, learn to love it.

Feb 05, 2015 03:31 AM
Evelyn Santiago, Managing Broker Heart Realty Group, Inc.
Heart Realty Group, Inc.. - Oswego, IL
Passionate About Real Estate & Our Clients!

The more information that is available the more analysis that we have to do and keeping up with "local" real estate can be a challenge.  Having a good Association makes a big difference in assisting us keep abreast of the market...while a walk around the area and participating in local town meetings assist us in keeping in touch with our local market.

Feb 05, 2015 07:10 AM
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

Great point Evelyn Santiago, regarding our local associations.  I am fortunate in Cape May County, NJ, to have an active board and supportive staff in the office.

Feb 05, 2015 07:25 AM
Chuck Willman UtahHomes.me
Utah Homes - Alpine, UT
New House Utah - Utah Hero Homes

Not only do the times change but the market sometimes seems to turn on a dime. I don't know how many times I've heard agents say that there's too much inventory available in a city that has little inventory.

Feb 05, 2015 07:44 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

It even amazes me how quick the tides change in our business.  Real estate is definitely local.

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Feb 05, 2015 01:20 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Marilyn and well to Active Rain. This is so true. Well written and interesting. You service a great area too.

Feb 05, 2015 09:19 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Great topic and yes, a good agent will have a firm pulse on their local market.  I do not like the hijacking of your comments by the solicitor in #27.  They haven't learned this important guideline here in the Rain.

Feb 06, 2015 12:00 AM
Karen Mathers - REALTOR®
Keller Williams Vero Beach - Vero Beach, FL
When it Matters, Choose Mathers! 772-532-3221

It seems that you know your market.  I love totally original content from bloggers and your opinion came across well.  I hope you see good times ahead.  

Feb 06, 2015 05:14 AM
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

Karen Mathers-you are so kind!  Thanks for your best wishes

Feb 06, 2015 05:43 AM
Marilyn O'Donoghue
Long & Foster Avalon - Avalon, NJ

Thanks Sheila Anderson.  I used to live up your way when I worked for Bambergers in Newark.  Yes, I am dating myself!

Feb 06, 2015 05:44 AM