Gas prices in the stratosphere. Many people look for alternatives.

Indeed.

I suspect that the McMansion in the far suburbs will be losing buyers when folks realize that their gas bill will be $20 a day just to get to work and back daily. 

I live in the suburbs of Loudoun County and my closest grocery store in VA is an $8 round trip. 

My vehicle doesn't get miles to the gallon.  It gets blocks.

LH,

If something isn`t done soon to adjust prices, this country will become crippled as a nation.

Our entire infrastructure isn`t geared for high gas prices...

The price of gas is affecting us in more ways than one. Retail sales have come down and buyers who used to go to open houses on Sundays just for looking have slowed down.

Gita,

Good points.

The market is in turmoil and it reflects our entire economy.

i can`t believe how this administration allows this to continue.. 

Good point on video.  And agents with video skills (or services that offer video) will probably become much more important.  Also, perhaps this will cause staging to become more important as well.  Fewer showings, more viewings online - but if you know your home may be eliminated by video, you'll want to make darn sure that video shows the home in it's best light!

Scott:  I've been thinking of investing in a video camera for tours but, you've raised a very good point that's just pushed me to do just that!  You're absolutely right and we're not hearing that there's any relief in site for the gas prices so, it's best to get a jump on this.  Thanks for the 'push'!

I have had to make travel days. I only go to certain towns on certain days.

Shaun,

yep, you have to plan ahead nowadays.

Debe,

When gas goes to $5.00 per gallon, we`re all in trouble.

Penny,

Staging in a whole new light!

I've made a video clip for a few of my listings. Your post just made me realize that it may be time to do it for all of them. Most of my buiseness is done via internet and phone. It is a rare day when I'm driving all over town. The cost of everything is going up and homes are not selling- not a good combo.

Rob,

In order to move forward in marketing a home is realizing what people or in this case the consumer is actually "Thinking".

Many seek alternatives to a changing market.

The other reprocussions effect buying itself. We are starting to see people who woould have bought and commuted for a year or 2 before retiring now say they are going to wait

Scott,  At $4 a gallon maybe the buyers will only want to see 2-3 homes before making a decision. I never drive them around, I have them follow me and burn up their gas as well.

Jerry,

That`s the entire point. People soon will stop wanting to burn up a valuable commodity such as gas and attempt to utilize other alternatives. 

Black Gold, Texas Tea, remember?

I needed something to push me over the edge to do video tours, it makes sense with the price of gas now

Scott, I would be happy if the cost of gas would stabilize. I think $4 is a wish. I now believe the stop point is $6 per gallon. So to answer your point, I agree we need to be in front of this curve. Use more video and only except listing that are price right. In the past advertiseing was the cost now we are faced with gas prices. Also another point to think about is your areas. Do we market in towns that are 100 miles away? Finally, all bets are off if a tropical storm or a Hurricane hits in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season starts in 10 Days.

This nation's energy policy has been written by the Sierra Club for far too long.  We are at a critical juncture now, and exploration for new supplies needs to be allowed.  Asking the Saudis to pump more oil only adds to our national deficit.

$4.00 gasoline may be the only thing that can spur us back to sanity.  If we had opened up ANWAR ten years ago we'd already have an extra million barrels a day supply.