Bad News Is In the Eye of the Beholder
By Stacey Moncrieff
We have friends visiting from Germany this week. They confirmed for me the news I read in last week’s New York Times about the “housing slump ‘contagion’ ” with slowdowns and price declines now hitting Europe and Asia. Prices ran up so high in my friends' neck of the woods (a couple hours south of Hamburg) that buyers are now sitting on the proverbial fence fearing they’ll be stuck when the time comes to sell.
Of course, what sets successful real estate practitioners apart from the rest is that they can find opportunity in any market. On that subject, check out Bernice Ross’s column, posted last Friday at Inman News, which offers a convincing argument for “getting buyers off the fence.”
Subscribe to this blog's Web feed
Comments
Yes...I agree any average agent can always find opportunities in any market. I'm in Australia and we are not isolated from the change in markets. Our market has also slowed, which means it's a fantastic market for buyers to increase their property investment portfolios as the slow sales market increases the rental returns. It's also a brilliant opportunity for brokers to get smart and offer a full service agency including leasing and management services. Don't shy away from property management, it's your guarantee of staying in business and holding onto listings in a slow market. Property Management has changed. We have finally come of age. It's really time to see how it will enhance your business no matter what the market conditions are.
Posted by: Jo-Anne Oliveri | April 20, 2008 06:21 AM
Fence sitting is just fine, as real estate in any market - or country is a LONG TERM investment. Renting is much smarter option in declining markets, not unless you get tax breaks for buying.
Posted by: Dr Boyce | May 2, 2008 07:52 PM