As a real estate agent in the Joplin, Missouri area, I hear it a couple of times a week, "Isn't the market terrible right now?" If it is so bad, then why do I work every day of the week? Not that I am complaining, quite honestly, I am one of the few people on earth that actually enjoys going to work everyday. Maybe it is because I have the enjoyable job of helping people buy and sell homes, or maybe I just got a "workaholic" gene. Regardless, I am fascinated when people tell me that business is bad right now. How much more busy would I be if business was good?
I attended a Women's Council of Realtors meeting at our local Board of Realtors office back in January. We had three different appraisal companies visit with us about their jobs. One gentleman said that they are still reporting Joplin, Missouri as a stable market. That is great for us! Of course business was a little slower around the Christmas holiday, but I have noticed a steady increase in the amount of calls I receive everyday from both buyers and sellers since about January 2nd.
I would advise sellers, "Don't be afraid!" Of course as agents, I do believe we have to work harder for our clients in this market, but as long as you have an agent that is willing to work your listing with proper advertising and exposure and as long as the house is priced correctly, then now is a great time to sell. With interest rates low, more and more buyers are learning the value of owning a home.
I am sure other agents would agree with me when I say, "Keep us busy!"
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Valery,
I had written about this a couple of months ago and I know what you are going through. I have learned a lot here on A/R and I remember this very clearly - You need to schedule a day to take off. I actually look at my calendar and schedule a day off every two weeks - Just one day, and I try not to do anything that is real estate related. I personnally like to spend it with my daughter. Good luck
Valery: Great post and SO TRUE!
It's a great problem to have! I'm working 10 hour days, only 8 hours Sat. & Sun. As my friend Joe says at my Thursday Networking Meeting, "Dan did not get the memo that the real estate market is not well".
We keep doing what we do, only better!
Hi Valery - I agree! I am crazy busy!
Glad to hear you are so busy. I am curious though, where do you get most of your business? I have been calling a ton of EXP's and FSBO's and haven't had much luck yet. I will admit though, a lot more people are stopping by the office and calling.
The Johnson County Kansas Market is still moving as well. We have more inventory then usual but things that are priced properly are still moving well. Real Estate is local but the media normally only reports it on a national level which makes consumers think that every market is in free fall. Unfortunately NAR doesn't help either, Here is a link to a blog I did recently about NAR's outlook for 2008:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/369979/NAR-s-2-7
Great post. Good for you that you are busy. I am very busy too, but never to busy to check out the rain. I have a lot of calls, but they all seem to come when I am out on appointment. Like today, I had an open house, and eight calls came in during that time, and one wanted to write an offer on one of my listings. Cool, huh.
Me too..I guess while everyone else is sitting around complaining...we're out working.. :) :)
The business is always what you make of it. Congrats for being busy. 2008 is going to be great.