Let it snow!

The press had been talking it up all last week – ‘there’s going to be a blizzard followed by cold temperatures, possibly on Saturday morning, but definitely by late in the day Saturday. Well, they were over zealous, there was not a trace of snow on Saturday morning (I skipped my 7AM Pilates class to avoid driving Burnside) and there was still nothing when Gene and I returned from 2 holiday parties Saturday night.

But, Sunday morning I awoke to swirling snowflakes that continued all day and evening. I loved it! Gene and I stayed cozy with a fire in the fireplace, a stew on the stove and books and, yes, some football, and just a lovely quiet day at home.

Today, I would have stayed home again, working this time, but I had a call to show a condo listing in The Meriwether.  So off I went, braving the icy streets slowly and carefully, but it was not actually a problem. And to be out and about in the snow is really still fun. Since walking is always better than driving in the snow, when I got to South Waterfront I arrived early enough to take a stroll on the waterfront path. Very cold and a bit of bitter wind, but the stillness of the river and the trace of remaining snow gave it a special winter quality. A new group of herons were present at the north end of The Meriwether. It was a special sight.

The showing went well, but that was the end of real estate field work today. I’m glad I had the opportunity to get out, show a home and see the emerging new family of herons.

Let it snow some more!

Becky

December 15, 2008 · Filed Under Broker's Corner

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How are you doing in real estate? – Part 2

Okay, so nothing about this real estate market is easy, yet we are busy, working and handling it! Don’t hesitate to call us for help or send us your friends. We can make things happen.

We recently wrote about “how we are doing in real estate,” the question that we hear often from our friends and clients. And, I can still report that, while we could certainly be busier, we are selling homes, we are adjusting to the new realities and we are counseling our clients daily on how they can prepare and adjust in order to reach their goals for moving.

None of this year has been easy! That came home to us clearly this week while working on wrapping up records for the year and preparing for year-end planning and communications with clients. Sarah was packing up all the year’s transaction files when she made the observation, “You know, Becky, none of these were easy.” Well, that is true, and it also doesn’t matter.

Sarah at work on files at the office

Sarah at work on files at the office

Recognizing that our real estate market is new territory with unexpected challenges is something we can notice and learn from, but from my perspective of 25 years of selling real estate, our challenges today are new to us today, but not original or out of the ordinary in prior markets. So, this tells me that we are managing through this because we know what to do, and when the hiccups of the process cause us problems – we solve them.

Like what, you wonder, is causing us problems? First and predominately, surprises in the lending arena. And that should really be no surprise at all – the lending world has been turned on end this year. In some ways it is settling back into the guidelines and practices of a decade ago, and in some ways it is all new territory. So, when the surprises come, new conditions or new rules, for example, The Jackson Group as a team, together with our transaction partners, goes to work to find the solution and to take care of our clients.

The second main area of challenge is the disconnect between buyers and sellers regarding the market. We handle this one, as best we can, with well documented information to help both sides see “reality” for what it is and in context for what they want it to be. Sometimes this works, and sometimes not, but we do our best to bring people together. It is up to them to transact.

If you need help with a move, a transaction or a decision, give us a call. We’re getting more and more resourceful all the time. Here’s our number:  503-416-4177.

Becky

December 3, 2008 · Filed Under Real Estate, Sales Trends and Statistics, The Jackson Group

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