The Market and the Media
“A market is the combined behavior of thousands of people responding to information, misinformation and whim.” – Kenneth Chang
Do you find yourself frustrated by what’s reported in the mainstream media? If so, you are not alone. Recent studies have found that many Americans are skeptical of news organizations.
Because many of us depend on the mainstream media to deliver our news and real estate market updates, we are often at their mercy. How can we be sure that the media is telling us the whole story?
I’ve devoted this month’s Item of Value to examining the role that media plays in our understanding of conditions in the current housing market. You will also find advice for putting the mainstream media’s reporting into context. Media reports can be filled with stories that focus only on the negative by using misleading headlines or burying the positive news.
It’s easy for the media to distort today’s news for its own gain, and I want to show you how you can avoid this!
One more thing in this months Item of Value is a connection to BFF Travel. This is a company that is here to help with travel needs. I know a lot of you will just ‘go on the Internet’ to book travel but there are some real benefits to working with someone who is knowledgeable and can direct you to great deals and maybe a destination you never thought of. Check them out at www.bfftravel.com. You can count on them to take great care of you. Speaking of destinations you never thought of reminds me of the difference between an old biker and a young biker. The young biker picks a destination. The old biker picks a direction. 
Call me if I can help you or your friends navigate this new real estate market. Things have changed and I am a student of the changes. Thanks for your referrals and keep ‘em coming. We are here to help.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578 Cell
We have secrets and we’ll sell them for money
I got an email offering to sell me secrets. The top secrets of Real Estate Agents in the country. Should I buy them??
I don’t think so. See, I know they are not selling secrets, they are selling hope. Hope you never really have to work again. You just have to do what is in the secrets and you’ll make lots of money and get to sit on the beach. It is not rational but it is human to want that.
You may not be a real estate agent but you know what I am talking about. Have you ever gotten a ‘check’ in the mail and once you open it you find out it is not a check. It was a trick.
Now I wonder, do they really expect to start a business relationship with us on a trick? I won’t. I want to be treated fairly and told the truth, not tricked into opening an envelope just to find out I am stupid enough to fall for a trick.
I am just on my soapbox a bit. I get tried of all the junk in my mailbox and lies on bill boards and radio ad or tv ads and I just felt the need to vent. I refuse to play the game anymore.
Want me to watch your commercial? Give me something of value for my time. Make me laugh or teach me something or show me a cool website that I can check out for myself but don’t yell at me or trick me into giving you my time. It won’t work anymore.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
Home buyer tax credit was extended!!
I am really surprised at the number of people that don’t know this happened. You can still qualify for a tax credit up to $8000 if you buy your first home by April 30, 2010.
You can also qualify for up to $6500 if it is not your first home but you have been in your current home for 5 years. Check out the flyer by Clicking Here for more details or call me at 678-231-1578 to get started.
I am never too busy for your referrals and I learned yesterday that on average everyone knows at least 10 people who are moving this year. Who do you know that is thinking about buying their first home or moving into a home that better fits their lives (more kids, empty nests, etc.). Call me with the name that just came into your head and I’ll take great care of them!!!
Thanks for all the referrals and encouragement you have sent me this last year. It means the world to me.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578 Cell
Great Opportunities Disguised as Impossible Situations
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
– Charles R. Swindoll
A lot of negative coverage has been devoted to today’s housing market. However, there are many reasons why the current real estate market may be beneficial to you.
For example, the large selection of homes and low sales prices make it a great buyer’s market.
In addition, interest rates on home loans are historically low, making now a great time to lock in a long-term mortgage rate.
Ultimately, though, these favorable conditions will go away. As inflation rises, so do interest rates. I have included this Item of Value so you can take advantage of current market conditions.
If you are looking to become a homeowner, you need to strike while the iron is hot! You know me. I am not one to be pushy and I know this sounds pushy but the current market situation cannot last. The Feds have said they will STOP buying mortgage backed securities soon which WILL allow mortgage rates to increase. Inventory IS falling and while there are some new foreclosures coming out they are getting fewer and the condition is such that many of them cannot get FHA financing so they sit. Very little new inventory is being build and some areas are seeing a shortage of good houses to buy.
If you are looking to sell that can be good news for you if you are in some of those shortage areas. Housing prices have fallen but they are on the way back up. I can show you data that says the bottom was about 6 months ago and we are coming up. With all the incentives the government is handing out and the changing market, this is also the best time to sell. After April I believe activity will drop when the 1st time buyer and repeat buyer tax credit expire. The Fannie Mae deal in the previous post will also end about that time and while we will hopefully see a healthier market by then I think a lot of the real deals will be done and it will be a balanced market with higher interest rates.
Please don’t miss this opportunity. It is perhaps the best we have seen EVER and it won’t last. Call me if you have any questions or if you know someone I can help with THEIR great opportunity. I am never too busy for your referrals!!
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578 Cell
Fannie Mae Announces 3.5 Percent Seller Assistance on HomePath® Properties
Incentive Part of Ongoing Effort to Stabilize Neighborhoods
WASHINGTON, DC — Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) announced today that people purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned HomePath® property will receive up to 3.5 percent of the final sales price to be used toward closing cost assistance or their choice of appliances. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed on HomePath.com before May 1, 2010.
“Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing the inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover. Many families are taking advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit to buy a new home so this is a great time for Fannie Mae to offer some additional help,” said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management. “Homebuyers have the option to choose between financial assistance toward closing costs or new appliances for their home.”
Properties eligible for this incentive are listed on HomePath.com and most listings include detailed property descriptions, photographs, community and school information and more. In addition, many Fannie Mae-owned properties are eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing which offers homebuyers an opportunity to purchase with as little as 3 percent down.
If you are interested in more info please call me at 678-343-6879 and I can help you get started finding that perfect house.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
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Echo Boomers
Here is a little more info about the Echo Boomers that are coming. There are more Echo Boomers than there were Baby Boomers so we are a growing demographic and that affects what we do in real estate. All those buyers are just now entering the housing market so the demand is going to be increasing and if you are looking to be in on the ground floor for this market it is now that you need to start.
Look at the eReport that I have included here and you’ll get a better picture of what’s coming. There will be a growing demand for starter homes, rentals and senior housing. Typically we have not had a huge demand for ranches and the single level home in our area but I believe that will be changing. Heck, I am going to be looking for a stepless ranch soon. I am tired of the stairs and I am almost an empty nest.
As always, call me if you have questions or know of someone looking to buy or sell. I am taking listings right now and I am NEVER too busy for your referrals.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578 Cell
Technology Tips for January 15, 2010
So, now we have WikiMapia: As its name suggests, it has turned online maps into a wiki. That means anyone can edit the maps. If you notice an error, you can fix it. You can also add new streets or attractions. WikiMapia’s maps are also interactive. There are also the satellite images we’ve come to expect. http://wikimapia.org
Visit The Websites, Skip The Browser: There are a handful of sites that you visit every day. You check the news, your e-mail and maybe a few blogs. Perhaps you refer to an online calendar. Placing useful websites on your desktop takes up a lot of space. Actually, you only need portions of those sites. It would be handy if you could cut out those portions. Snippage does just that. It’s actually a small Adobe Air browser. Use it to navigate to the site you want. Then drag and resize the Snippage box over what you want. Push the Shrink button and position it on your desktop. Free http://snippage.gabocorp.com/
Assess Your Energy Usage: Also find ways to improve it and save money. The Department of Energy has tools to help you out. Start by doing an energy audit. See how much energy you’re using-and wasting. Then, check the tips to learn how to improve your home’s efficiency. This is also a great site to visit if you plan landscaping or remodeling. http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578 Cell
Technology tips courtesy of Rick DeLuca at the Real Estate Idea Club – thanks Rick!!
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca
The housing market won’t be down forever. The time to buy is before the housing boom hits, and I believe that boom is coming soon! In recent months, we’ve already seen signs the market is cycling up again (increased home sales are one example). There are several other factors that all point to a looming housing boom, such as population demographics and new home construction statistics.
For the first Item of Value for the year (2010 January CAP), I’ve examined several factors that indicate the market is turning around again. You will find data and analysis that point to the same conclusion: the next housing boom is just around the corner.
Don’t be left in the dust when the next housing upswing occurs. I want you to be prepared!
PS. One side note, on the Item of Value is a coupon from one of my favorite vendors. Mark Hinshaw of Get ‘er Done Handyman service is offering a $25 off discount on your next job. Call Mark at (678) 758-0651 and tell him I sent you. This offer is good through the end of February 2010.
Thanks for listening,
Jerry Robertson
678-231-1578
Last thing, please remember to call me when someone mentions real estate. Let me have their name and phone number and I’ll do the rest. Your referrals allow me the time to focus on my clients when they need me the most instead of having to look for my next client with cold calls or door knocking.
I want to do the most I can for those that need help. Check out CarrierOfHope.com too if you know someone that is in need of advice when facing foreclosure. There are options for them but they have to ask.
Search Vintage Ads
I got a great site from Seth Godin where you can search vintage ads. Here is one that I found when I looked for a Lincoln Zephyr. See what you can find!!
Jerry Robertson
Welcome
