I honestly believe that many of the problems in our Economy today stem from the viral effect of the way we feel.
Each and every one of us have the power to influence the economy and people's lives depending on what we are doing and what we are communicating to people. Preaching doom and gloom and complaining is extremely viral and very contagious. Unfortunately many of us out there pounding the streets with buyers and helping people sell their house successfully are not communicating enough while less qualified individuals are spreading the fear.
I love my hairdresser - she is not only a great hairdresser, but also a very good friend and she is smart, too, so this is in no way a dig on her intelligence. She called me this weekend in a panic and wants to list her second home because she is sure that the economy is getting worse and won't be better for at least five years. She could not however tell me why she thought this.
Now you must understand first that my hairdresser friend is doing very well and in fact is having one of the best years ever financially. Her husband is also having a great year. They have no financial hardship or incentive to sell this house other than their fear of "the economy".
I would love to know when my hairdresser got her economics degree that qualifies her to preach this mumbo jumbo all day long to anyone who will listen!!!!!!
Here's another example: I was recently at Michael's - the giant craft superstore. I had about $400 worth of merchandise in my cart while I waited in line behind another lady with a couple hundred dollars worth in her cart and a few more people with probably another thousand dollars in their carts. We were one of four lines with even more stuff to buy in line ready to check out. When it was my turn to pay, I commented on the slowness of the debit machine used to pay and instantly was given a well rehearsed speech which had obviously come out of the clerks mouth about five thousand times about how they were due for an upgrade, but didn't get one because of "the economy".
How about just thanking me for my business and not spreading hatred of this country's economy to a paying customer, okay? I mean I wasn't even in there on a weekend day - the store was packed so please don't talk to me about how bad things are or maybe I might reconsider purchasing the things in my cart. I wonder if Michael's is aware that they may be losing serious money because even just this one clerk could be causing big sales losses with her viral speech.
The same goes for my hairdresser friend: I wonder if while she is spreading this fear her tips are immediately getting smaller as her client considers not being so generous in an effort to save money. Or maybe they will stretch their haircuts out further and further to save more money.
What do my hairdresser & Michael's Craft Stores have to do with Seattle real estate?
A lot actually - there are a lot of doom and gloomers out there who are preaching how horrible our market is. Our market is definitely different and there are a ton of new challenges, but the brighter side is that we really needed to flush out the bad and start new. The bottom line is if you are in the market today then you are most likely working with a great Realtor and lender because most of the bad ones bailed. Many got into real estate for the wrong reason over the last decade: money. Ethics, customer service and even the Golden Rule were tossed aside and there was a big rush with little or no accountability. Being careful does not mean that it has all gone "to hell". If you want to buy or sell your Seattle house, you can - you just have to prepare yourself for the current market and get help. It is not a do it yourself time. It is okay to be careful and realistic, but if you find someone preaching the fear walk away - it You need someone who is successful in any market.
Bottom line: Fear is viral: It is okay to be honest and realistic, but we have all gotten pretty accustomed to the sensationalizing from the media. We need to instead provide helpful down to earth information.
Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services, Seattle Realtor, Serving Seattle Neighborhoods & Seattle Suburbs. More neighborhood info: Ballard real estate, Fremont real estate, Wallingford real estate, Green Lake real estate, Lake Forest Park real estate
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More info? courtney@cooperjacobs.com 206-251-5948
Courtney---this is a really good post. I think the hairdresser type stories happen because way too many people have confidence in the wrong sources of information. Too often those sources of information have a vested interest in preaching doom and gloom and become part of the problem instead of part of the solution.
Courtney what about me I don't have a hairdresser anymore - LOL I think we all need to project confidence in front of our clients without misleading them in anyway. There are plenty of Realtors who can quickly dig themselves a whole that is hard to get out of it they try to portray things better than they actually are.
Hey Charles - good to see you - I just love that profile pic!!!! Thanks for the good feedback!
Hey Bill - you have had a busy day today on your featured post! I completely agree with you!