Brinette Holdren - Residential Licensed Broker

Maybe you'll all think I'm the anti-Realtor for saying this, but I do believe this is the market to make some great deals for my buyers! After all, hundreds of listings in our area linger as they lower prices $20k here and even $100k there. Is this because they priced them unrealistically in the first place? Were they really meant to be sold $300k less than the owners ever expected? The answer is NOT in the comps.

Buyers, get out there and start writing offers of any kind! I've got buyers offering $400k under asking. Are we getting anywhere? Well, that's the big question. Some people are interested in negotiating and some people aren't. By some people, I mean the some that know they need to get rid of their property before things get worse and the some people who are still holding out for top dollar.

What are they waiting for? Short Sale? Foreclosure? What kind of person wants this on their record? Do they believe the government is just going to wipe all this clean under Obama mama? I for one hope not. I don't believe it and I won't believe that it is good for the market.

I am always amazed at how insulted owners get at a lowball offer. But I am not afraid of those ninnies! Give me a brave buyer who is willing to offer on a property at a price that seems like a good deal and I will write that offer with pride. There is no shame in it.

Shame is in the owner, developer, builder who can't seem to get over the price per square foot from 2008! Even 2007! You local agents I've been dealing with lately know who you are! Don't be weenies! Get your clients to negotiate.

Manhattan Beach may be special, but it's not immune to the woes of this market. Many people are leaving for the Orange County where they find helpful and flexible home builders willing to make a deal.

So, owners, if you must sell, then sell! Everyone's taking a hit in this market. Whether it is the stock market or the housing market, everyone is going to take some kind of loss. Just take it and move on! Let's get on with the business of selling houses to buyers!