Those crazy real estate professionals

[SandyK]

Oh come on. It's no fun if you don't play along!

[Ouch!]

Falling prices are a good thing, not doom and gloom.
It's "doom and gloom" to the people who earn less commission - those crazy real estate professionals.

[uwp]

That post is the classic "It's always the right time to buy."
I'm losing the will to even comment anymore.

A buddy at work just became a real estate agent and I didn't have the heart to start a long conversation about how "special" we are here in Seattle. It's not really a friend-making event.

[laxtosnoco]

The interesting thing is that the PI group tends to vacillate about how they should respond to the down market.

Some clearly think now is the time to highlight their expertise about homebuying topics like CC&Rs, mortgage reform, purchase agreements, etc. That's probably the best idea if they want to turn their blogging activities into sales leads and closed transactions.

However, it seems like the contributors regularly get wound up about how unfair the media coverage is, and they can't help but renew their exhortations telling us how now is a great time to buy.

[Lake Hills Renter]

I rarely bother going over there once I realized it was mostly disparaging housing bears as babies or repeated rants against posters that wouldn't give their name/address/background to prove their opinion was as worthy as the agents'.

[rose-colored-coolaid]

[explorer]

Damn right, RCC. People need to go with their gut when times get tough. If you say you saw a pink pony, and that pony needed some TLC, don't be cruel. Listen to your heart, and the shining light of years of satisfaction of knowing you own, in partnership with your lender, and can now see yourself as superior to all other living beings who are not homeowners. Because dammit, you got yours.

Don't pay attention to those who are really just jealous, lazy, haters, and would tell you that you cannot do whatever you put your mind and no-down ARM money to do! Well, it still might be wise to have at least 10 percent ready, but don't worry, be happy. Home values double every ten years!

[rose-colored-coolaid]

[PublicEnemy#1]

Anyone checked Ardell's home lately on Zillow?

http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=48716514

Obviously Zestimates are not the only accepted or valuable source for appraisal info. (mostly just good for a laugh!), but something took a tumble in her neighborhood in the last 30 days....

$60K drop???

Wasn't she thinking of pricing it just under a million?

[JimN]

I sense many of the realtor bloggers are starting to realize who their audience is - that's right - potential buyers! Now that things have slowed, the tone of many have changed considerably

For example, I would never consider someone like Mack. Others have been much more savvy marketers from the beginning.

[kpom]

[Scotsman]

Better late than never. To her credit, Ardell has figured out that lots of changes are happening in the industry, everything from falling prices to new ways to list and sell homes, as well as how the agent will relate to both buyers and sellers in the future. I think she even supports a negotiated flat fee for services. She'll be around for a while if she wants.

[PublicEnemy#1]

So, did Ardell ever decide to list her home or not? I am wondering if part of what has changed her tune is the dawning realization that she may have list her home with a lowball price in order to move it quickly.

Zillow says it's still dropping...

Down to $934K today. She paid $850K in 2005.

Meanwhile, listings are over 12,000 in KC. Seattle seems to be crashing much faster than I anticipated it would.

[anamik]

What has happened to Ardell? Remember when Craig posted a while ago about commissions and how you could use an attorney to buy or sell a house instead of a Realtor? She got really mad at him. And now this check out this . Comments 5, 42, 43 and 52 are a whole new Ardell.

I wonder what caused this turnaround.

[The Tim]

I know, it's like we're living in bizarro world

Reading that thread gave me a funny idea. I wonder how entertaining it would be if you got Ardell, Mack, and me together to talk about real estate issues, and recorded it as a podcast. Could be called "Seattle RE Smackdown" or something. Heh.