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Industry
associations such as the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) or
the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) frequently put out
public statements that appear to be nothing more than self-serving
statements full of positive spin about what a great time this is to
buy a house. And, let's be honest, that's exactly what a lot of
them are. They have every reason to try and persuade people,
especially now, that it's a great time to buy.
And, many real
estate agents have been heard making similarly upbeat statements. I
know that many of you think it's the same sort of self-serving
claptrap!
Anybody who has been
reading this blog for any length of time knows that I'm certainly
no industry apologist. But I do believe that my fellow agents and I
are often falsely maligned by such accusations.
Yes, there are
agents who would say anything to get someone to buy a home. But I
still maintain that they're in a minority.
Real estate agents,
like other self-employed individuals, are by nature, optimists.
Trust me, no one would go into this type of career, and take the
kind of financial risks we take unless they were optimistic by
nature. Real estate agents are, by nature, people who will
automatically see the glass as half full. I personally, veer
towards a three-quarters full view on a regular basis. Extreme
optimism helps a lot in markets like this! It keeps people in this
business who, if they had any sense at all, would go get a job that
pays better, has actual benefits and more regular hours!
And, any savvy
business person learns early on it never does your business any
good to say things are anything but "great". Announcing to the
world that your business is suffering is unlikely to attract more
business! And, besides, any decent optimist knows things are
turning around tomorrow!
So, give that
absurdly optimistic real estate agent a little slack. If you're a
seller, isn't it a little reassuring to hear a little optimism
when there's so much gloom about the market everywhere you
turn?
I've got to go take
my happy pills now!
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