I am happy to be part of the ActiveRain community. I look forward to interacting with my peers and sharing ideas, strategies, thoughts and general market information.
So, with that, my first post is my take on today's business conditions....
The Reality
This year has certainly been challenging for the real estate industry. Realtors have been forced to make a choice. Do I get out of the business or sit on the sidelines for a while, because after all, everyone is telling me how terrible things are? Or... Do I stay in the business, put my work boots on and fight, dig, and scrap for business? For those of us that this is our profession AND career, we choose the latter.
The truth is, there is business out there. It doesn't come easy, but what truly does. Let's look past the 2 or 3 years of excessive appreciation and realize that the successful Realtors have always been the ones choosing to work hard everyday. These are the Realtors that can weather the bumps in the road.
In the end, the Realtors continuing to work everyday will be the Realtors that the buyers and sellers will choose to represent them as they recognize that we are not the Realtors who gave up when things were tough, we understand how to be successful in a down market, and we were able to achieve results for our clients during this time.
This holds true for us in the Southwest Florida real estate market.
The Good News
Living in Southwest Florida, we are in one of the most desirable areas of the country to live in. That is something that has not changed during this transition in the market.
It is a buyers market. Builder inventory is almost non existent now. Re-sale inventory is moving, even if it is the short sales.....IT IS MOVING.
We have seen a leveling off in pending and sales prices over the last 6-8 months. Really? Yes! That is not Mark's opinion, those are simply the facts.
The buyers who have been patiently waiting are now more comfortable making a decision to buy.
Sellers have become more realistic in their pricing.
The Bottom Line
We have seen an improvement in our business at Estero-Naples Realty since May of this year. Is there an expectation that we are going to start setting records...absolutely not.
But, getting back to good steady business, with more normalized pricing and expectations from both sides is occurring.
With a solid marketing approach and dedication to hard work, we can all continue to be successful.
I look forward to hearing how business is for you in your particular area.
Mark Berry
Estero-Naples Realty
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