Home Ownership in the U.S. is Still Alive
We have just experienced the greatest recession of my lifetime which, for all practical purposes, was the Great Depression II. Regardless of what we call it, most of us in real estate suffered, as we have in every previous recession. We will recover as we always have, and home ownership will continue to be a part of the American Dream. The Dream is still alive!
RISMedia reported the results of a recent survey done for Coldwell Banker by Harris Interactive, and the results were notable. Even with all of the foreclosures and problems homeowners have faced in the past several years, the survey found that Americans still recognize the importance of having a home of their own. That has not changed. How people buy homes and what they will buy is undergoing continuous change, presenting us with significant challenges, but it’s my hope that you will share this good news with your friends and contacts to make them feel more comfortable with the decision to own a home. Here’s the link for you to pass along: http://rismedia.com/2012-05-15/coldwell-banker-real-estate-survey-of-consumers-finds-shift-in-americans-homeownership-views/.
As for how people buy homes these days and what you can do to reach them: this blog is an example of a short but informative post that any of you reading a newsworthy article could use to brand yourself, stay in touch with your SOI, and market your listings. Don’t be afraid to try new things; for example, this website takes a different—and effective—approach in that the blog, in addition to sharing news and information, actually presents their listings: http://santabarbararealestatevoice.com/. Try different ideas until you find what works for you!
Speaking of trying different ideas, the very best way to find new things to try is to take a class and learn something! Let’s talk about a seminar for your company or association for this fall. Our 2-hour Express Seminars are both affordable and extremely timely, and they allow you to choose from a variety of topics. No matter what you choose, remember: Americans still want to own their own home, so take a class, try something new, and be the one who helps them achieve the American Dream!
The information provided by Mobile apps take a lot of the pain and misery out of buying a home by providing a wealth of user friendly information available to both the agent and the buyers or sellers. This blog, “Mobile Apps for REALTORS and Their Customers,” contains a link to an outstanding article from the Washington Post,