RSS Blog FeedWhat is in Store for 2007?
Posted at 10:43 AM, Jan. 26, 2007
Discussions at a recent sales meeting at my brokerage firm confirmed for me the predicted outcome for 2007 will be another year of reality. While 2006 was the year of coming off the high of quick sales and escalating prices, we as professionals were again faced with the facts that buyers and sellers were not on the same page. Many sellers, still believing their home was subject to a market shift, or better yet, not accepting there was one going on, and buyers refusing to jump the guns with offers for fear of being too haste.
What has always been the burden of real estate professionals is that the actual consumer market still lags considerably with market changes. You would think with the information age, this would not be the case. Sadly, it still is. I find many of our helpful, consumer advocated websites (so they claim) perpetuate the problem with a revolutionary attitude and less about unity.
2007 will continue to be a year of correction. Every market has one. This is ours. Thankfully, we are not experiencing severe overall losses other that false expectations. Where we cannot compromise as an industry, is setting a standard to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. Sellers need to be educated with pricing and presentation, and buyers need to be educated with deciphering choices and realistic approaches to offers. What we cannot allow ourselves to do is coddle or enable crippling consumers. Do not take over-priced listings. If you can't make them see reason in the first place, you will not be able to later. You will only add another stone of mistrust and disgust for our profession. Sellers rarely see themselves as being at fault for the lack of success. Do not work with buyers that want to behave like jackals. If their primary goal is to "clean up", you are participating in what will most likely be a sour experience (if it actually makes it to close) for everyone involved. Fair and reasonable behavior will be respected by all.
Let's challenge ourselves as professionals to hold the higher ground and not only demand the best from ourselves, but from our clients and partners as well. May prosperity be a part of your 2007!
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