Republicans and Realtors (both are registered trademarks)
There was a time when being a Realtor was virtually synonymous with
being a Republican, but not anymore.
Why is that? Is it because if you want to work in a Liberal enclave, it is
better to be "one of them"? Or have we forgotten on which side of the
bread our butter in on?
The simple truth is that we are a very diverse community. We welcome
everybody without regard to sex, race, creed. political philosophy, or
intelligence.
But, it is time we re-think this "openness."
They say that a mind that is open at both ends is probably empty.
And so it seems with a lot of these people that consider themselves
Realtors (because they belong to our association) also support politics
and politicians that have created a situation that is anathema to the
practice of real estate.
For us to practice real estate (that's what we are: Real estate
practitioners) we need several things. We need strong property rights.
We need a vibrant economy. We need a healthy mortgage market. And
we need to have faith in the future.
It is time for all of us to re-examine our own political leanings. Are
they consistent with what we need to continue our practice of real
estate? Can we be "Liberal" and still consider ourselves "Realtors"? Is
our way-of-life at risk?
Isn't it time that we look at things objectively? The government has
been lying to us for years about the state of the economy. Things are
NOT getting better. They are getting worse. Everything this
government does impacts our industry negatively.
Statistics
I remember a quote from Mark Twain about statistics: "There are lies,
damned lies and statistics."
Everybody, by now, knows that the unemployment rate is fictitious. But
do you know that the housing starts number is just as flawed? It
includes rental units (that the "smart money" is building) to take the
place of individually owned single family residences. How can this be
good for us? And mortgage rates are low, but many cannot qualify
because they no longer make enough money to qualify.
With the lack of real housing starts, the existing stock of houses will
continue to increase in value until nobody can afford them. This is not
a healthy market. It is a sham. If conditions allowed new housing
starts, then the existing housing stock will fall in value to reflect the
cost of new housing. How will that affect you? Can you honestly advise
someone to buy NOW because it will cost more tomorrow?
Destructive Trends
Do you think that an increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour
will help the economy or hurt? Some people will undoubtedly make
more money, but many more will suffer loss of employment as
businesses adjust the way they do business to account for these
increased costs. More jobs will be automated, kids will lose the
opportunity for "summer jobs," prices will be increased for everybody,
and some businesses will be forced to close. Over all, the economy
will take a hit.
John Kennedy said it best: "Arising tide lifts all boats."
We need policies that actually employ more people, not less. We need
to make things, not import them. We need to encourage
entrepreneurship, not just give it lip service.
Believe me, not since the American Revolution can it be said with more
truth and fervor, "These are the times that try men's souls." Thank you
Thomas Paine.
All true Patriots must stand up now.
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