January 28, 2008 at 9:39 pm · Filed under Sparks from Sparky
Today, as I was driviing across the Tacoma-Narrows Bridge on my way to Bellevue, a multiple vehicle accident occured just a couple car lengths ahead of me. I slowed and pulled over to the railing, dialed 911 on my cell, and stepped out to assess any injuries. Fortunately, even though two of the cars were completely totalled, there were no injuries.
One of the drivers was obviously shaken. She stared at the twisted metal and cried, “I’ve poured 2 years of my life into this car!” I tried to reasurre her that everything was going to be alright, and gave her a comforting hug.
It immediately reminded me of something our pastor said in church yesterday. We’ve been going through a series on “Margins,” how we tend to crowd so many things into our lives, and lose sight of the things that are most important (you can listen to the series HERE)
This week we were looking at money and possessions, and how we can easily be controlled by pursuing wealth and the accumulation of ’stuff.’
To illustrate his point, he said that whenever we find ourselves coveting what others have, and desiring more, we should just say, “It could be worse!”….
Life is like a vapor, a brief lingering mist that quickly disappears. There are no quarantees. Death is no respecter of persons. All the more reason to ponder the deeper questions of our existence, and to ask what lies beyond the vail.
As this woman cried into my shoulder, I said, “It could be worse!”…..
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January 9, 2008 at 12:46 am · Filed under Bites of Kitsap, Bremerton Real Estate, Silverdale Real Estate, Port Orchard Real Estate, Poulsbo Real Estate, Real Estate Bites, Buyers, Sellers, Sparks from Sparky
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,
nor the Son, but the Father only.” ~ Matthew 24:36
Okay, let me start off by saying that I mean no disrespect here. I am just as anxious for the 2nd Coming to happen as the next card-carrying evangelical fundamentalist (Come quickly, Lord Jesus!). But it seems that lately, we’ve had just as many people attempting to forecast the future of real estate as we do those who’ve attempted to predict the date and time for the return of the Son of Man.
In both instances, it’s simply a best guess. No one knows for certain what’s going to happen and when. Certainly there are indicators and previous cycle patterns to analyze and compare. But the reality remains, no one knows for certain.
But in real estate, there is one thing we can say with confidence - “No Two Markets are the Same!”
Just because some Wall Street ‘wannabe’ claims that the 2nd Great Depression is looming right around the corner, doesn’t make him right. Those guys earn a living on speculation! And if one more TV News Starlet, scratching her way to higher ratings, refers to the current housing market as a ‘Holocaust,’ I promise I’m gonna hurl!
Are there areas in the US housing market where things are tough? You betcha! In some places, prices are dropping, valuations are decreasing, and foreclosures are rising at an alarming pace.
But there are just as many housing markets, if not more, that are experiencing ‘normal‘ conditions. By ‘normal,’ I mean, experiencing the usual cycles historically associated with the real estate market. Every 8 to 10 years or so, we go through a market adjustment. After enjoying several years of very fast or brisk activity, the market begins to slow.
It is during these downturns, that the pessimistic media naysayers of ‘doom & gloom’ act as though these kind of cycles have never happened to us before. The constant bombardment of their incessant negativity begins to affect us, and their created perception starts to become our reality.
Certainly, if one lone trader can adversely affect the cost of crude oil, then the constant negative bombardment of media hypesters can easily influence our perceptions over the current real estate market.
The real truth is that real estate is bad in some places, but not so bad in some, and still fairly good in others. Please, don’t allow the Media’s broad brush strokes to paint an incorrect picture of YOUR market. If you’re looking to buy or sell, consult with your local real estate professional. No one is better equipped or knows your market more intimately than someone who is actively involved in providing expert representation in your specific area.
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