Please vote in this poll using the sidebar.
The real estate business needs more... (select the most important)
- transparency. (38%, 48 Votes)
- fancy technology. (3%, 4 Votes)
- regulation / government oversight. (16%, 21 Votes)
- competition (discount brokers, etc.). (40%, 51 Votes)
- blogs. (4%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 128
This poll will be active and displayed on the sidebar through 07.26.2008.
Jump to the bottom to add your comment. ↓
6 responses so far ↓
1
Chris
// Jul 21, 2008 at 11:41 am
The industry has good transparancy for anyone that takes the effort to do a little reading and research. What it needs is open competition without colusion. As discount brokers gain more market share I think we will start to see more of this. The big name brokerages (Winderemere, John L Scott, CB, etc.) are a racket together, there is no competition with them. Redfin, et al, will make a big difference as long as they are competent and provide reasonable service.
2
Kevin
// Jul 21, 2008 at 1:02 pm
There’s a missing option in the survey: less government intervention. There’s a great op-ed on just how corrosive the government backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has been along with affordable housing programs such as Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Check it out at http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/07/18/fannie-freddie-regulation-oped-cx_yb_0718brook.html
3
Ray Pepper
// Jul 21, 2008 at 9:32 pm
As Jack Nicholson said in Batman 1.
“This profession needs an enema”……..
Well, thats what I heard at least.
Ray Pepper
Broker
http://www.500Realty.net
4
jon
// Jul 21, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Kevin,
The problem is that the government has given lenders access to taxpayers’ money. Given that mistake, the regulation is essential. Had there been sufficient regulation, we wouldn’t have lowlifes like Indymac. Certainly some of the regulation was misdirected, and made the problem worse, but the main problem was either lack of regulation or lack of enforcement. The fraud and everything else was inevitable given the loose controls over taxpayer backed securities.
5
old timer
// Jul 22, 2008 at 3:10 pm
For the Joe Avg, like myself, I’d like to see more education about the nature of Real Estate as an investment vs a place to live.
When everyone thinks their home is a winning ticket to El Lotto Grande, with cashout nuggets along the way, we get into real trouble.
Sure, well located parcels, with good cash flow, will, over time, make some genuine wealth. But putting all your money into the ’sure thing’ real estate or otherwise, is almost always a mistake.
6
Big Mike 34
// Jul 24, 2008 at 8:42 am
Old Timer:
The real estate market is not just a place to live or an investment…It is both…
It is a Place to live 1st…..It is also a place to store money for a later time if you buy wisely and maintain your home.
The investment part involves tax savings….and appreciation…vrs …Just having shelter
The ownership part involves owning something that suits you….Something you can improve and change if you wish…If you like gardening or doing handy man work ,,,Owning gives you that opportunity while renting does not. In short ownership allows you to use your home as you wish..to enjoy it as you wish…to change it as you wish…
If you are not interested in the ownership part….There are better investments…
Jump to the top of the comments. ↑
Leave a Comment