Is the Market HOT or NOT?

This question just won't go away. Folks are scared to sell their homes and buyers are scared to purchase. Others think that they can "Steal" a house right now. I just don't agree. Here in Greenville, our market is steady. I have listed and sold a lot of homes through this "Bad Economy". I think Greenville is and will remain strong due to the steady fluctuation of people. After all we have an enormous Medical district and East Carolina University. Not to mention it's just a great place to live. As for the "house theives" that I mentioned. These folks are out there thinking that they can prey on a situation that doesn't really exist. In their mind they should be able to find a market full of $200,000.00 homes they can buy for $10,000.00. That just isn't the case. And Foreclosures?? Fuggetaboutit! They are few and far between and the ones that are on the market are priced at retail, because the banks won't listen to reason, or they were priced appropriately and, hence, were snatched up in a flash.

Sure our market is "off" a little right now, but I have to say that I attribute that to the "conception" of the market produced by the media. If folks would look at the facts instead of listening to wide spread panic, they would see that right now is the best time in decades to purchase a home. Not because prices are down, but because the incentives are up. $8,000 tax incentives for 1st time buyers (this on has been beat to death) or how about the lowest interest rates in many decades. What about the 100% (LEGITIMATE) financing programs available through programs like USDA? You can't tell me the bank's aren't lending either. Otherwise how did I sell over a Million dollars worth of homes smack in the middle of the "market downturn"? And this wasn't in a couple of $300k homes, this was average 70k to 200k transactions, most of which I was Dual Agent? You see I didn't let the media babble psych me out. I went harder than ever before, because my people deserved to get the service I promised. No matter what!

Question: Can you think of anywhere better to put your money, that will give you higher return in faster time frame, than investing in Real Estate? If so, please let me know about it. I'd like to pass it on to my client's who have pulled all of their funds from the Stock market and the bank to invest in Real Estate.

Bottom line: Sell it! Buy it! Invest in it! Whatever you do do it NOW! (preferably with me)