Attitudes in Real Estate

I've noticed an amazing trend in the Real Estate Industry. While talking to other agents out there I am finding that the ones who think the market is bad aren't doing very good and the ones that think the market is good are doing great.

Some of you may be quick to say something like; well if I was doing a lot business I'd think the market was good too. However you've got it backwards. Those of us with a positive attitude are able to succeed. The power of positive thinking isn't just some catchphrase heard at motivational seminars; it's really a deciding factor on your success in any given industry.

I can tell you people are selling homes (I should bring four new homes to market in the next three weeks) and there are buyers out in the market right now like crazy. I've seen my traffic skyrocket in the last week. Unfortunately I sold most of my inventory last month and I'm only seeing the traffic increase on my three current listings.

I suggest that if you are thinking of listing your home you should probably interview several agents and if you find some with a positive attitude and proof of sales then you're going to have success getting your home sold. If the only agents you interview have a long face and talk about how bad the market is right now, keep searching. Those agents most likely aren't going to do a great job marketing your home because they are predisposed to think there is no point in their efforts.

Every time I hear an agent griping about the market I get a smile on my face. That's because I know I have one less agent to compete with :) The buyers are thinking things are turning for the better, sellers seem to notice the fact we are getting better, and I would like to know when the lion share of agents will realize the market is actually better than it's been in two years!!

Let me know your thoughts... are you seeing positive things in our Real Estate market?

Home Buyer Tax Credit Ending

Here we are with just over a week to go until the home buyer tax credit expires. I would have assumed with the way all the experts were talking there would be an absolute frenzy of activity with people trying to get under contract by the April 30th deadline.

While the market surely has improved and I've noticed substantial gains in my business over the last month, I haven't seen a crazy frenzy of buyers trying to get in under the wire. Talking to some of my colleagues they seem to be in the same boat. A lot of business, but nothing to far above the normal spring jump.

I've mentioned in the past that a lot of industry "experts" were thinking the best plan of action would be to wait until after the tax credit expires to purchase a home. The rationale being that all the buyers will be under contract by April 30th and the prices will drop substantially (anywhere from 5% - 10% depending on which expert was speaking) in the first week of May.

I have to wonder if a lot of buyers are taking this advice. I've told several buyers I have been working with that I thought rushing out and buying a home before April 30th just to get a tax credit was foolish. There are a lot of factors that go into buying a home and taking the time to find the right home, in the right location at the right price isn't something that should be done hastily.

It will be interesting to see if my remaining three listings go under contract in the next week. I've put four under contract this month but I truly think that has more to do with spring time rebound than the tax credit. Perhaps I'm being stubborn thinking that the government really shouldn't be in the market in the first place. I'm excited for the tax credit to end because I'm pretty sure the Market is on the upswing and seeing it happen without government kickbacks will convince many people who are still unsure of the market conditions.

Just wanted to throw my opinion out there as a Realtor who's in the trenches daily. I look forward to your opinions and feedback, perhaps I'm way off base... what do you think?