But Will I Love You Tomorrow?

The one word that describes this market climate most accurately is "Certainty". The whole world seems to be a tipping point.  Will Yellowstone blow up?  Will the Mayans be right and the tipping of the earth's axis fling us off the planet? Will the Magnetosphere crumble under the weight of historic solar storms and we will burn up like a marshmallow too close to the heat?  Will the US computer system get hacked?  Will water supplies get a dose of  a lethal something?  Will Iran pursue a nuke?  The list is endless.  So dear readers, when it comes time to buy real estate, what the heck metrics do you use to gauge your risk-o-meter? 

Well, whatever you choose to use as a guide, you want certainty!  Buyers want to know will this house appreciate? Will the bank approve the short sale?  Sellers want to know if this buyer will perform or get skittish and vaporize after 6 months of tedious on line entries to Equator and emails to the black hole called the negotiator!  Will the house appraise? Will the trustee postpone the sale?  There is NO CERTAINTY!

THAT  is the only thing that is certain. Fagetaboutit!

So as a buyer, how do you get an offer accepted?  Strut your stuff.  Write the letter of your life about why this is THE house for you, after exhaustive searching this is the one. You will not get frustrated and find another house.  You understand the bank process is more snarled than than a lion deprived of red meat for a month!  You swear, on a stack of disclosures, you will hang in.  Then you bring a suitcase of money to the seller. ALL CASH is king.  Sorry, but there it is... 20% down, nice but no cigar.  Lending conditions could be different by the time the bank calls with an approval.  Your loan could go poof, you might spend your down payment  on a  depression correcting shopping spree.

If you are a regular nice guy owner buyer, you could get lucky.  Your agent could be a dream influencer and charm you into the heart of the listing agent.  It can happen, but don't count on it. And if you are financing, it will be harder to drive the discount chuck wagon.  They will punish you for not having cash.

Here is  the certainty you can rely on~~  it is certainly going to be a tough ride.  But keep trying, what is it they say about blind squirrels?  There are lots of opportunities.. Keep your hand in the pie, you will eventually find your plum!

America Is Much Better Off Than Reported!

Consider this:

In 1941 there were only a dozen democracies worldwide, now there are over 100. For four centuries prior to 1950, the global gross domestic product (GDP) rose by less than 1% a year. Since 1950 it has risen by an average of 4% a year, and billions of people have been lifted out of poverty.

In the first half of the 20th century we saw the two most destructive wars in the history of mankind and in prior centuries, war among the great powers was almost constant. In the last 60 years no great powers have taken each other on, in fact, our era is best known for the war that never happened, between the US and the Soviets. But we sure heard a lot about it to engender fear in the populace. (sound familiar?)

China's economy is predicated on sheer numbers of people. While it certainly is the largest economy, it is not the richest. In fact, China , as I've written before remains relatively poor. The US, Germany and Japan have per capita GDP's of $40,000 whereas China is ranked at $4,000.

Moreover, despite the latest economic upheaval we have all been through, America's position in the world has not changed all that much. Its share of the worlds GDP has held remarkably steady. And this steadiness was not only over the past decade but over the past four decades!

In 1969 the US produced roughly a quarter of the world's ecomonic output. Today it still produces approximately that same number.

Americans are , by nature, optimistic, innovative and resilient. We find a way when there is no way. "The measure of intelligence, is the ability to change" Einstein

Ojos Contacto, Sign Here!

I have recently been very concerned that in our quest for efficiency as Realtors, and the crushing weight of the minutia driven bank's on line platforms for clearing distressed properties, (and which give no quarter to the distressed owners), that we are making a grave mistake. In fact, it could send our industry to the grave.

Buyers and sellers need emotional time to process what they are doing. Sitting at a kitchen table and working through the signature lines is the best line of sight to airing out fears, feelings and excitement. From the beginning of a contingency release signing party, to the end, often the buyers have moved light years in terms of resolve. But only because they can muse and reflect on this momentous event as I am sitting with them. I watch as the mental clutter comes out and we take each conflicting thought and find a home for it. I neutralize irrational fears, agree with rational reservations, review the game plan, review the product and at the end of an hour or more, everyone moves forward. The sellers are relieved and start packing, the buyer is confident in their decision.

But now with on line signatures and the time demands and the feeling you are not an effective agent if you are not demonstrating your digital savvy, we rush through email signatures without the benefit of breaking real estate bread together and letting the emotional body butter the sandwich.

AND, reading online documents is not the same as holding a paper in the hand. I can't tell you why, whether it's the angle or what, but I absorb detailed documents when I can tough them and read every line for a hidden bomb delivered by the bank, lender or inspector.

If we can commoditize the sales process , then anyone can do it. What the good agent brings to the table is the wisdom, life experience and knowledge of how humans make decisions to GUIDE the client through their own unique process which allows them to making a comfortable and informed decision. To make the process less stressful and confusing. To hand hold, affirm, review and reveal.

I miss the long coffee chats when signatures were required. I think I may just have to move past digital signatures and ask for 'ojos contacto' at key points in the transaction. I miss looking deeply into the eyes of my clients and reading their souls as they sign on the dotted line.