Answer to people who ask, 'So how is the "market" these days?'

[Mary B. Relotto]

Every day people ask me how I could possibly get into Real Estate considering "the market" and then assume the market is bad. Some friends in the business have even tried to persuade me to not get into it! My answer to them is that it is either a buyers market or a sellers market. At least there is a market in which to do business! You certainly can't say that about all industries.

Keep the faith everyone! The buyers and sellers DO exist. Your success is going to depend on your personality, customer service, loyalty and honesty.

Yours in all that is possible!
Mary B.
Real Living HER, Columbus Ohio

[Candace Robinson AZ REALTOR®]

Mary - absolutely! It's a market, buyers or sellers. 'Just Do it' as Nike has so proudly claimed! Just Do IT!! I like your attitude. Much success in your real estate career and I hope you go and prove all those nay sayers wrong! Hear's to a prosperous New Year 2008!

[Elaine Reese]

I think 2008 will be better. We just have to continue to get the facts out to override the media hype as CBR wants us to do.

[Manny Reynaldo]

Hi Mary,
I n reponse to your post, here in South Florida I find it difficult to find buyer's in the lower price points ie. between $150,000 to $500,00, mostly not because there aren't any willing participants, but beacuse of the credit guidelines that have been re-adjusted by the lenders that remain in business. In the other hand there is a number of available buyers looking and taking advantage of opportunities in the higher priced properties ie. $500,000 and up.
Manny Reynaldo
Prudential Florida WCI Realty
www.2bocahomes.com

[Mary B. Relotto]

Manny....You're right....credit guidelines are makers or breakers.
I'm in Naples, Fla. for the holidays and lovin it! When I'm ready to buy here (give me a few years!), I'll give you a ring!
By the way...how easy or hard is it to get licensed in Florida?
Mary B.

[Donna Yates, Realtor]

Mary: I think you are so right and I can't imagine doing anything else but real estate. It is my passion and I am sticking with it through thick and thin; for better or worse - oh wait, that was a vow I made for a different reason :-)

[Elaine Reese]

Donna ... I think the "honor & obey" goes along with it too, if you ask our clients! ;-)

[Joyce Logan]

Hi Mary,
I agree, everyone has to have a positive outlook on the real estate industry! There are still buyers out there and sellers needing to sell their homes. Maybe we should form a focus group? If anyone has interest in the Columbus area, please let me know.

Best wishes to all for a wonderful New Year!

[Mary B. Relotto]

Joyce....tell me more about your idea on a focus group for Columbus. You could start a Ning Group for Columbus Realtors in general.

Hope you are well! Let's make a plan to meet soon!

[Chad Vincent]

It's all about positioning yourself in this kind of market. When the market turned upside down in NorCal I took seminars in short sales, now I have plenty of listings to keep me busy. Likewise, with the growing popularity of FHA loans with increasing loan limits esp. in declining markets, I just jumped into it like no tomorrow. We are all flexible and we easily adapt to any situation when we put ourselves into it... So my ready answer? It's a great market-considering I get to help people save their credits and help first-time buyers!

[Jeff Selan]

I reply that the housing market in this area is reported to be up 6% over last year. I could still be more busy but it beats other areas of the country.

[Kathy "Kat" DeLong, REALTOR]

This is an excellent post. You should include it, if you haven't, on Active Rain.
It's always difficult to come up with the "right" answer. I tell the truth and say; A little slow...or, like now, we're seeing some activity.