Alan

Hey Telmo. You are coming across as an idiot. The real estate market is not like the stock market. It moves much much much more slowly. My suggestion is that you take your spam elsewhere. Sometimes real estate is "loco"lized as you say. Like from 2001-recently. Now things are trying to return to conditions that are less insane. I'm sorry that hurts your wallet, but it's best for the country. - Tue Jul 15 2008, 20:30

Steveand Tascha,

Honestly, this is the "best answer" you can come up with?

"BEST ANSWER
Now is a great time to purchase. Maybe the market will go down however maybe it will go up. To be honest our market has not suffered as much as some other parts of the nation. In fact in some neighborhoods, homes are selling for as much as 95% or more of list price. More and more sellers are pricing their homes correctly for the market."

"Maybe the market will go down however maybe it will go up", so you better buy now? That's your answer? Your "BEST ANSWER"? And you are real estate experts? Are you kidding? There is no one with any sense who has looked at any trends or statistics who thinks the market is going up. So why are you saying people should buy? Could it be out of greed and lack of scruples? Even when the market bottoms, it's going to stay there for a while. Why not advise the OP to wait a while? You base your assertion that now is a great time to buy on the fact that we aren't the Inland Empire or Vegas or Florida or Phoenix? You think that because sellers can get 95% of asking price in the Spring peak selling season that the OP ought to buy now? You make no sense. You haven't answered the OP's question honestly. But you have shown your greed and self-interest.

It's just disgraceful and disgusting. Period. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 14:50

Randy,

Your attitude seems to be the exception rather than the rule and is much appreciated on this board. Unfortunately, many others in your profession do not seem to have the same scruples. - Mon Jul 14 2008, 14:39

Tori, did you not bother to read anything in this thread. You are exactly the problem. "Everything sucks, but realtors and home builders say it's the best time to buy ever!!!"

"Is there any doubt that now is a great time to buy?" Uhhh...yes.

Oh, and if I want to get wealthy, I have to buy a house right now??? Dan harps on that.

And of course, it's all the media's fault.

Yet at the end of the presentation we hear, even from a self-interested head of a realty company, that prices are not going to increase until 2010.

Tori, both you and Dan should be ashamed of yourselves. - Sat Jul 12 2008, 06:32

All you realtors still calling bottom, both locally and nationally? - Fri Jul 11 2008, 19:07

Hey Julie,

How can you say you are listing your house now for the same price that you would in ten months? How can you possibly know that? - Fri Jul 11 2008, 17:35

Stephen,

I'm calling into question the honesty of the Harry Norman big shot and others who knowingly give misleading information. I am not referring to you. I just wish we could get some candid assessments from agents. My whole point to begin with is that agents always say it's time to buy, buy, buy! I'm not saying that there aren't good reasons to buy right now or even that there aren't values to be had. But how about more candor?

Answer this question for me, Stephen: do you honestly believe that from this point forward things are only going to get better in the housing market not only in the Atlanta area, but nationwide, as the Harry Norman guy claimed?

Regards. - Tue May 27 2008, 15:45

Stephen,

The housing marking is being hurt by many different factors, fuel being just one of them, as you know.

It's one thing to say that there are various opinions. True. It's another completely to ignore all the data coming out and to call bottom. That is misleading at best.

Last, It would be appropriate to be honest.

Regards, and good luck. - Tue May 27 2008, 15:15

Sorry, should have been "Case-Shiller" - Tue May 27 2008, 14:08

@ Lisa and Stephen - Today while driving I was listening to a local radio station which provided the opportunity for a big shot from Harry Norman to respond to the Case-Schiller Index numbers released today. The realtor basically said, citing that the Wall Street Journal opinion piece which Stephen brought up, that we are at bottom now, and that while we might stay at the bottom for a while, everything was going to be heading back up. Lies!!! He was lying and he knew he was lying and he did it anyway out of personal interest. The WSJ opinion has already been cited and discussed. It was written by someone with a vested interest in the quick recovery of home prices nation wide. It is turning out to be overly optimistic, to say the least. That is why people who take the time to educate themselves on what is actually going on object so strongly to real estate agents trying to spin and manipulate for their own gain while pretending to represent the interests of the buyer (or seller). If you want people to have more respect for you and your profession, begin with honesty. - Tue May 27 2008, 14:02

It's not doom and gloom sentiment, Stephen, it is caution and realism. The numbers really don't lie. The WSJ did not delve particularly deeply into any technicals, and it was written by someone trying to save his job. You and I just have a different definition of "clarity". - Mon May 19 2008, 13:06

Carlos, let's not be disingenuous. Just because you didn't directly solicit doesn't mean it's not in your best interest to encourage buying. Just like the NAR campaign dripping with emotional appeals. The prevailing climate is one of uncertainty and apprehension. People are hesitant to buy, and with good reason. But agents have inundated Trulia, and the mantra never changes. A couple years back it was "buy now so you don't get priced out of the market." Now it's "It's a great time to buy - hurry or you'll miss out!"

Why do you say that prices are low, Carlos? Although not a bubble zone, plenty of places in Alpharetta experienced a runup that far outstripped inflation. You know that. You also should know that no one is predicting a runup now. Unless I''m very much mistaken, t's not going to hurt to wait 6 months to see how things shake out. - Mon May 19 2008, 13:03

"perhaps the Wall Street Journal gives more clarity on the housing market."

Stephen, I thought your point was to give more clarity on the housing market. I don't think that you have done that. - Mon May 19 2008, 11:14

And this:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/more-awful-housing-inf… - Mon May 19 2008, 08:36

And though Alpharetta has fared and will continue to fare much better than many other parts of the country, what do you think about this article, Stephen, which includes not-so-sunny news from the NAR and NAHB, the concluding paragraph of which is

"Robert Toll, the colorful chief executive, summed it up this week: "We don't believe this will last forever, although I can give you no indication that the end is in sight, or that the light at the end of the tunnel is not the train coming toward you." ?

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/its-official-spring-sa…

Sorry, wouldn't let me put it in the Web References section. - Mon May 19 2008, 08:31

Hi Stephen,

I'm glad we are speaking of opinions.

I am under the impression that by mentioning the Wall Street Journal you feel more weight may be given to your opinion. Did you notice that the word "opinion" appears at the top of the article you cite? Do you know who wrote that opinion? An REIT manager. Objective? Hardly. I will admit that it is nice to see someone backing up his opinions with some statistics and facts. There are, however, in my opinion, some serious problems with his arguments, specifically his glossing over the impact of foreclosures and tightening lending standards. Then there is this brilliant nugget:

"The next question is: Even if home sales pick up, how can home prices stop falling with so many houses vacant and unsold? The flip but true answer: because they always do."

Hmmm...hardly inspiring of confidence to someone hoping to not purchase a home which will then depreciate.

There are some places in the nation where prices may be nearing the bottom - places where the bust began first and that have seen significant price drops already. That does not mean that that is the case for all areas or Alpharetta in particular. No one says that Alpharetta is going to see a bust. A slow decline for another year or two? Possibly. Stagnant prices? Likely. A slow rise? Maybe. But nothing to warrant the "you've got to buy now, don't delay, you'll be priced out in Alpharetta!!!" cries. Nothing even to warrant the "no one knows when we've reached the bottom until its too late" nonsense. Consider this excerpt from the opinion in the link you provided:

"For starters, a bottom does not mean that prices are about to return to the heady days of 2005. That probably won't happen for another 15 years."

Much of what I've read suggests that there will be continued declines in prices in many places, even in Alpharetta. Calling bottom now is in my opinion, very, very premature. - Mon May 19 2008, 08:04

And John is pretty much right on with everything I've read. - Sun May 18 2008, 12:58

Hey Lisa,

You began the ad hominem. And if you're going to describe yourself as "smart" and "professional" you probably actually should do a better job spelling. I didn't bring up all your errors - just made sure I cited you properly. Feel more than free to point out all of my spelling errors. It won't take you long.

I'm not sure why you are taking this so personally. I got on my soap box after reading a bunch of industry b.s. from people trying to make a buck while pretending to have an interest in the well-being of the home buyer. Here's a prime (and concise) example from Carlos:

"Man,

Read this: http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-i-2008-04-10-171546.1121… stop hesitating, and pull
the trigger."


As to the rest of your post, here are some other points:

"If the agent is professional and has ethics they qualify the buyer. Qualifying the buyer doesn't only mean qualifying whether they "can" purchase a home but whether they should be purchasing a home at this point in their life."

Notice the "If" - does that have anything to do with the current housing mess or the point I am trying to make?


"both the buyer/seller and I benefit."

I was asking who benefits, you or I, if a buyer buys in a declining market. The answer is that you benefit. It won't really affect me much. But the buyer may very well NOT benefit if the market tanks and something happens and the buyer can no longer make the payments or must sell for some reason. Do we have to go into that?


"Something else I'd like to point out is that you seem bothered by the fact that I get paid for my hard work. Of course I benefit when my client buys/sells a house...it's called earning a living."

I'm not bothered at all by your earning a living. I do think your commission level is excessive, however. I would venture to say I'm in the majority there. I will say that in the current market, sellers' agents may very well deserve what they earn. But now that agents no longer have a monopoly on info, commission levels are beginning to come under attack, no?


"For some reason people like you have this crazy notion that my hard work shouldn't be compensated....When was the last time you felt someone should give a portion of their "paycheck" to you for bad service or a bad product?"

When did I say that your hard work shouldn't be compensated? I really have no idea what your fourth paragraph even means.


"I'm sick of people like you bad mouthing an industry when it affects many good people. Yes, there are bad agents...but there are great agents too."

Why do you think so many people are critical of your profession? Why do you think real estate agents are generally held in such low regard? Why are they so frequently viewed as dishonest, greedy and opportunistic? Why not spend some of your time being the voice of reason and objectivity on boards like this instead of attacking people who dare to stand up to the NAR company line constantly spewed out?


"Also, even in a terrible market where we don't know when the bottom will happen, it is still a great time for some buyers/sellers to move. It depends on their individual circumstances."

Finally a realtor who admits that the market is terrible. Exactly what should happen here. And I don't particularly disagree with that statement.


"So, why don't you relax and live and let live for a change?"

I'm relaxed. Just fighting the monopoly. But I do think it's funny you chose to end your rant with those words. - Sun May 18 2008, 12:56

Not angry or bitter at all. I lead a very happy life and I have been very blessed in a myriad of ways. I just think it is disgraceful how many many agents are so self-interested that they can't bring themselves to be honest. I have used one agent several times, as have several other members of my family, who is honest and honorable. Most of the replies you see on Trulia from agents simply reinforce the widely held used-car salesman stereotype - it's always a great time to buy!!! And of course, anyone who objects to or contradicts the false sunshine gets "It's too bad you have such a hostile attitude, hopefully it doesn't pore (sic) into the rest of your life...you wouldn't be too much fun to be around," while describing themselves as "smart, professional, ethical, hard working and who put their clients' best interests first (even when they may or may not get paid for doing so)". Tell me, Lisa, which one us, you or I, benefits financially when someone buys, even if it were a declining market and they would have been better off waiting? If I were an agent I would be embarrassed by they way the NAR and my fellow agents regularly portray themselves. You have done nothing to change that portrayal. - Sun May 18 2008, 04:55

By the way, Carlos already supplied a link citing that article. You're a little slow. - Sat May 17 2008, 16:44

It might be a good idea to reassess your bias. How accurately did CNN call the bubble across the nation? Exactly. - Sat May 17 2008, 16:40

Terry, you should know that a 1% change in median price means nothing, especially when sale volume is way down. Citing statistics like those makes people distrust real estate agents. - Wed May 7 2008, 09:47

Wow. Great article, Carlos Castro. Very convincing. Are you kidding when you cite things like that? Why would you trust the CNN Money source? Did they predict the runup or the bursting of the bubble? Why not cite a source that has some credibility. - Wed May 7 2008, 09:41

Wow. Not single realtor said that it might be wise to wait, despite all the indications that a major housing correction is on the way. It is not true that Alpharetta was not part of the bubble. Just take a look at the info that Trulia provides. Sure, we didn't see 300-400% appreciation in 7 or 8 years, but we definitely saw prices increase above normal. Check out the rising inventory levels, rising foreclosure rates, DOM, YOY stats, and higher lending standards and you will see that there is no reason to think that Alpharetta will come through this correction unscathed. Housing prices do not work like stocks. Stocks can rise and fall in a day (especially fall). The housing correction will be slow. With current conditions, you can be sure that there will be no spike in prices, and they may even decline, contrary to what those with a vested interest in your money say. - Tue May 6 2008, 19:09