Hackney's Houses

Let's get real for a moment...

The media loves drama, sex, and negativity...not always in that order and sometimes not mutually exclusively of one another, but those elements seem to sell. 

Real estate case in point...yesterday huge headlines about the down turn in the market...three days prior a one paragraph blurb buried on the last page about the record low interest rates. 

Has the market slowed?  Absolutely....to healthy and normal levels.

Three years ago we complained there was not enough inventory.  Now we've got plenty of inventory and people don't like that.

As a buyer, this market is ripe with opportunity.  Large selection, low rates, and a generally squeamish public opinion.  Can you say CHA CHING?! 

I've always joked that if you want to get rich in America, do the exact opposite of what most of America is doing.  When you stop to think about it though, it holds a great deal of truth.

When asked whether now is a good time to buy.  My answer..."It Depends."  (No I am not running for public office).  What I mean is that if you are buying for personal or investment and plan to hold it for more than 3 years, I say ABSOLUTELY!!!  If you are looking to flip something, then I can't answer it with any more knowledge than the next guy on the street. 

If you are selling a home then you do have an interesting scenerio.  Several factors now come into the picture.

1.  Price the home correctly and competitively.  It doesn't matter what sold 3+ months ago or what your neighbor's house is currently listed at.

2.  A Strategic Marketing plan.  Some things plain don't work, yet most agents are unwilling to think outside the box and get creative with their approach. 

3.  A Real Estate Professional.  Notice I did not say a real estate licensee.  This is a true professionals market.  You want the best going to bat for you and you want an agent that other agents respect.

I think this is an exciting time in real estate for both me as an professional and for my clients.  Not because of what we'll see instantaneously next week, but for what will happen 3, 4, 5+ years from now when the things we did TODAY blossom!

Don't follow the masses...go the road less traveled!

It's A Good Life

Sean