REALTORS need a big boost of confidence. Our clients and customers turn to us as neighborhood experts, real estate experts, to get sage advice and, mostly, to hear something different than what is being fed to them daily. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a pie-in-the-sky person. My philosophy is, “If this is the way things are, What am I going to do about it?”

To answer this question, I plan on telling the TRUTH!

Here are some facts:

• Interest rates depending on credit scores for a 30-year-fixed mortgage are at 5.9% to 7.2% (source: Bankrate.com). Pretty low, in my opinion.
• There is a plethora, an oodle, a ton of inventory to choose from; and prices are extremely competitive.
• There is a saying in the stock market: buy low and sell high. This applies to everything including real estate.

Is there a credit crunch? Yes! But it doesn’t mean there is no money; it just means buyers have to work a little harder and should have a down payment. There are re-lo properties out there, and many of these companies would rather work out a deal to get them off the books then keep paying for them every month. There are opportunities in short sales and foreclosures. These are a challenge, but they are also great opportunities.

For the sellers, here’s an opportunity to make your place not only competitive when you price the home; but also with some stagecraft, it can stand out on its own. Here’s an opportunity to work with past clients who are at-risk and help them stay in their homes; for this too shall pass.

Today’s marketplace it’s all about LET’S MAKE A DEAL!

Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself!” and a nation was moved to act, to be fearless in tough times of national security, a world war and economically. Sound familiar?

FDR used the language of CONFIDENCE. All the public policy and stimulus legislation in the world can pass, but nothing will happen if consumer confidence has not changed. To change it starts with every one of us. It’s about the ground game, belly to belly, one call at a time and not only with clients and customer, but with our peers and ourselves.

Use your language of renewed confidence first with yourself, then with your clients, customers, strangers on the street, grocery store, the bus and just about anyone willing to listen.

Post some confident comments to inspire us. I look forward to reading your comments.

BLOG ON!