REALTOR as Trusted Advisor: Get Beyond the Lender Greed Factor

Beyond Greedy Lenders
Are your clients surprised that mortgage interest rates are climbing higher? You can position yourself as a trusted advisor by not parroting the "greed" factor. Instead, become acquainted with specific world events that are causing the trouble. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

1. The US Dollar is falling vs. other world currencies. Japan owns more than 12% of outstanding US debt--more than any other nation. With the sliding Dollar vs. the Yen, their investors have been hammered, losing more than 7% of the value of their US Treasury holdings since January of this year. If you were in their shoes, you would do what they're doing. You would sell US Treasuries. In order to sell, the yield has to rise, attracting buyers. You're mortgage rates rise as well.
2. The Euro appreciated more than 14% against the dollar in the past 12 months, and investors are selling US Treasuries in order to buy European debt, which is more attractive.
3. The US economy continues to seek direction. Is it contracting? Is it expanding? No one really knows for sure, and markets hate undertainty.

Use Uncertainty to Your Benefit
As a Real Estate Agent, especially those of you along our northern border and in the snowbird states, you'll benefit by focusing on Canadian buyers. One Loonie buys $1.07 or more right now because of the uncertainty in world markets. Real estate can benefit your buyer.

Focus on Cosmopolitan Markets
One Tucson REALTOR brought me a buyer from France last week. That buyer is leveraging her appreciating Euros to invest in Tucson, which is increasingly attracting foreign buyers. Do you sell in a cosmopolitan market? If not, can you refer out? There's more than one way to turn a buck.

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender.

Think of me as your local expert.