It is Not Me, It is We!

From an outsiders's point of view, it surely seems like it is a 'they' kind of problem. It is all too easy to point the finger at someone else or at them. Yet, we all know that when the focus is on 'them', there is very little if any ability to actually resolve the problem.

In the case of the United States housing market, there is ample evidence, data, and support to point the finger at 'them'. The 'them' being a proverbial myriad of characters and companies and agencies which contributed to the current predicament we are struggling with to one degree or another. Even as the cast of 'thems' grows, it does not change the outcome. Each and every one of us is not only impacted by the 'results' which occured from the 'thems' actions, we are left to deal with the results and resolve the results.

As I was chatting yesterday with a very successful Realtor in Chicago at an appointment, she appropriately pointed out that 'their' problem is her opportunity. While many of her fellow professionals complain about the 'state of affairs' in the real estate market she continues to identify new market opportunities. In the short hour or so that we were together for the appraisal of a property under contract, we came up with at least two actions that we both will take to assist each other and put 2012 on a more profitable path for our clients and ourselves. In the short course of our hour together, it was quite apparent that we are doing something about resolving the 'results' of the 'thems' and not pointing a finger at the me's hoping that a change, shift or improvement shows up miraculously.

In the case of our conversation, I am introducing her to a client of ours, Cherry Picker Investments, who has inventory of real estate that her client is seeking (turn-of-the-century houses on higher density sites). And her client is slowly, but successfully bull-dozing those turn-of-then-century houses and constructing new mid-priced single family homes which the market is absorbing.

She is introducing us to her team, at Coldwell Banker Residential, because we provide a specialty appraisal, aptly named, Agent Accelerator Appraisal, that allows motivated Realtors like her to get their long-dated listings closed in a timely manner and assist the homeowner get into their next house sooner. Hence, velocity can now exist where stagnation did exist.

It is not me, it is WE! And together, the more WE in real estate pitch in to help each other, the more WE are going to resolve the 'results' the 'thems' caused.

Each and every day that I read through a couple posts by our Active Rain community, there are multiple encouraging examples that WE are resolving this housing market problem.

Michael Hobbs, PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy