More gloom and doom for the new media .... all is lost.

Total nonsense.

I honestly have more great deals than buyers to snap them up. Allow me to also address some of the publicized "problems" within the real estate market.

1) Credit is tightening !! You can't get a loan.

Wow - is that wrong. Loan programs exist for nearly everyone. Low income, poor credit, you name it. I CAN find you a loan, and some still can be done for no down payment. And yes - at very competitive interest rates. The scary junk you are hearing about applies to less than 5% of the general population. And Banks are extremely interested in your business. It is what they do. They have no intention of stopping. (I just found a 6% loan, fixed for 30 years, for a client with a credit score of 550. And we are doing it with no down payment.)

2) Home values are falling !

Wrong again. Some homes are not appreciating as fast as they have been, but that is normal - and usually pretty short lived. A home is still the single best long term investment you can make. Those that view these investments as short term windfall opportunities, well...that is very rare. Always has been.

3) Joplin has a tremendous over supply of new homes.

Ahh - no. Has "Spec Home" building slowed a bit? Sure - it had to. And it will pick back up. New home prices have gone up at a steady, if not somewhat moderate, pace.

4) It is a Buyers Market !

I love this one. Unless you live is San Francisco - it is ALWAYS a buyers market. They have the money ! It is always their market. A little more than usual ? Maybe. Become a buyer!

5) Using a Real Estate Agent to buy or sell my property costs me money

It makes you money. Period. I'd be happy to show you how. Those that attempt to do it themselves may as well go to the casino with a blind fold on. Especially now.

Peace -

Mike Johnson

Missouri Licensed Realtor

Charles Burt Realty