Slappy the Clown's Happy DanceHappy Talk
I am under increasing pressure from my real estate peers to stop being gloomy and start reporting happy news. Ever eager to please, I looked up recent listings going to contract and compared them to last year. From June 15 through September 17 of 2007 147 houses went to contract, compared to 101 this year. That's a drop of 31%, more or less. In the shorter period of August 1 '07 through September 17 2007, we saw 64 contracts vs 33 this year.
So what's the happy news? I dunno - I suppose we could have sold nothing, and wouldn't that be a bummer.
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6 comments:
Not suprising that you are under pressure to say good things - but honetly - what do they expect you to say?
That reminds me of watching CNBC earlier today listening to some of the reporters trying to sound "positive" while the numbers were tanking. I am starting to hate this saying but..."It is what it is"
The numbers don't lie
Chris,
The problems facing real estate are a function of the fundamentals: value, availabilty of funding, tighter lending requirements, among other things. It has nothing to do with whether the media (or honest folks like you) talk "down" the market.
All you have to do is look at the NAR and all the public relations nonsense they tried to spin to see fundamentals drive markets and not polly anna spin. NAR has been trying, with no success, to keep the market up for the last two years, and it hasn't worked.
In the end, dishonest real estate brokers (those that are trying to pretend the market is okay) are only doing their future earnings a disservice IMHO. On the other hand, honest brokers (like yourself) will be remembered for their wise counsel and will be rewarded with customers who know they can trust their opinions.
Keep up the "honest" good work, you will build your client base. And someday (don't ask me when, though it's a ways off still) people will return to buying homes and your approach will be remembered. I know I'll use you.
Retired IB'er
claudette Rothman has left a new comment on your post "Slappy the Clown's Happy Dance Happy Talk I am un...":
continue to tell things the way you see it. If there is nothing good to report..........., brokers will just have to deal with it. THis is why you have a good following.
The radio this morning (9/18) is full of comments such as, the housing market free-fall is only halfway over, and much worse is to come. So I guess your "friends" want you to say, "Hey, folks, we're already halfway through the slide. Isn't that great news? Whoopee!"
Rumor has it - that is Chris - in the 'Clown Suit' - Going to 'Open Houses' - hee hee hee!
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