The market is “adjusting,” as everyone likes to say, but that’s not a reason to spend time griping about those things that can’t be controlled by the little guy: shaky mortgage companies, gloom-and-doom media coverage and the like.
It’s good to see that the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors isn’t wasting its time on excuses or, worse yet, doing little or nothing. Glenn East is a veteran Realtor and he’s been through downtimes before, and he’s had his staff working on ways to help his members.
Their efforts have to be working. There was excellent story in a recent Times-Union about NEFAR’s work at retaining membership. Yes, it’s down as expected, but it’s nowhere near the bleeding that some feared.
The latest to cross my desk is a “white paper” that provides agents with plenty of good information to help them sell. Obviously, a lot of work was done as they’ve pulled together information from sources ranging from the media to universities to government research.
It doesn’t gloss over the problem. Everyone knows there’s slowdown, and everyone knows that potential buyers are leery about making big decisions.
The “white paper” speaks like it should: straightforward. It takes the facts and turns them into ammunition for the agent. And, it cites the sources.
For instance:
“A recent report by the state’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research estimates ... values in Duval County will climb by 3% in 2008. Duval and Leon, which includes Tallahassee, are the only two counties in the state that will show positive growth in those values next year, according to the economists.”
That’s good stuff and it’s properly done — the agent can pass this along and the client knows it isn’t something invented.
Or:
“In the Jacksonville MSA, the number of jobs has increased by 7,000 over the 12 months through November 2007, equaling a growth rate of 1.2%. Not good, but a lot better than a lot might expect.”
The document cites the source: a UNF study.
You’ve probably gotten a copy of the “white paper.” If you didn’t, it’s at www.nefar.com and it’s good education for you and your clients.