I received this email yesterday afternoon as a heads-up for today’s show (tune in to WNRN at 11!): · Are you reliant on increasing sales figures(value) to be successful?· Are you worried about a recession?· Do we or do we not have housing surplus?· Things that help/hurt the sales economy?· Have lenders (bank, mortgage) gotten tighter in this area too?· People say we have a strong ‘service sector’. How does the low unemployment rate and many unfilled service jobs affect real estate sales and satisfaction of new residents?· Many folks refer to the University as why our area will not suffer an economic recession, or at least just a minor bump if the rest of the nation suffers greatly. Please explain.· Can’t the University (and our local businesses) suffer if students and their families have less credit and tighter overall budgets?
Browsing Category Shameless Self Promotion
Real estate radio in Charlottesville on Sunday
I’m going to be on WNRN’s Sunday Morning Wake-up Call on Sunday, 20 January to discuss the Charlottesville economy, and the real estate market in particular. One thing I like (and fear) about live radio is the immediacy – the thinking-on-the-fly aspect. There’s no spell-checking, no proof-reading, just honest dialogue.What questions do you have, or what topics would you like to have covered? Last time, Rich nailed me – we’re still not technically in a “declining market,” but we may be close (I’m working on such a story).As a real estate buyer or seller – do you see or perceive a difference between someone paying to have a real estate show or being invited to be on a show?I’ve been on the radio a couple of times before – in September of 2007, May of 2007, and May of 2006, and it’s always fun.
Today’s C-Ville Weekly
There’s a story in there where I have a couple of quotes. As I’m out of town and their Abode section isn’t online yet, is it any good?
Speaking in New York City this week
I sat on a similar panel last fall in San Francisco and am privileged and honored to speak again.The panel is titled “Blogging, a Fresh Take on Client Prospecting” with Pat Kitano, Johnathan Butler and Frances Flynn Thorsen. The best part of going to Inman is the chance to connect and reconnect with others in the real estate world.My secret for “getting clients” through blogging?… Be consistent, honest, transparent and provide the best local real estate information…. Is there anything in particular that would cause you to contact a Realtor because of his or her blog?
Appearance on local TV in Charlottesville
Channel 29 did a not-so-terrible story today on the local housing market. Even better, they shot my interview at a house I am marketing.The creaky sign at the beginning was classically ominous. (I wish I could embed the video)What will the shift do to real estate consumers’ psychology?No Better Science than you’ll find in VegasAnd no, I’m not going to say that we’re in “trouble;” here’s why.*If you’re a mac user, you need to download this video player. And change the user agent in Safari to say you use Internet Explorer.** This is the second time this year that I’ve been able to market a property via the local news.
The HooK’s recap of 2007
Looking over her predictions of 2007, Madam Hook notes:”I see young people in houses,” mused the Madam, explaining that the once red-hot housing market would stay cool, with median home prices remaining stable for the first time in years, and making it a good time for first-time homeownership.Did she say the market will “stay cool”? It actually seems downright frosty these days, what with a nearly nine-month supply of houses for sale and average days on the market lingering at over 90 days. Still, who are we to argue with a psychic?
A big day
Honored and humbled to be sharing the stage/platform with the rest of the Bloodhound writers.This blog has long focused on the Charlottesville/Central Virginia real estate market, client representation, technology and the implementation of same in the real estate world and local politics that pertain to real estate.I welcome the opportunity to expand my reach further.Hugh Macleod has a pertinent post today in which he states:If I have noticed one thing to happen in the world of work these last twenty years, it is the massive blurring of the lines that separate work you get paid for, and work you do for free. These days, it’s not uncommon to meet people who work 30-50% of the time for free, especially among the bloggers.I write because I enjoy writing. Writing provides an outlet and a forum for some of my passions – real estate, politics, education. What price could one set on fulfillment?I hope to live up to the expectations set upon me by myself, Greg and everybody at Bloodhound.One thing is certain – my writing will, by necessity and fear of failing on a much grander scale, improve.I look forward to the opportunity.