Not shocked... but sad.
Actually, I'm not shocked at all. And maybe sad isn't the right word... disgusted would be better...
And I really hope the right people find this post...
A few days ago, I posted a comment on the President's Report blog at the NAR. The NAR has found this whole social media/blogging thing, and they want to show that they "get it" and are hip to the grooviness. But they don't, and they aren't.
Dick Gaylord, President of the NAR posted about an email he received that supportive of the NAR and their "rosey" outlook during this latest housing crisis/bubble/boom/crash/whatever. It brought out a VERY valid point that the media had been overly sensationalistic and negative. Each time, the problem was not as deep, long or protracted as the media presented. Of that point, I am fully supportive...
Here are a couple of clips from the post:
More often than not, they say we are too positive about the prospects for housing values in the future.
From the email:
The Media’s attack on the real estate industry is nothing new. For decades they have practiced doom and gloom tactics and in some cases have actually caused real estate prices to decline short term. The good news however, is each and every short term decline has been temporary and has been followed by long term price appreciation.
As stated, I agree with the premise of the email...
(You knew there would have to be a "but" and here is is)
But... I commented. And I commented in a manner that some in the NAR might not have appreciated. I put THEIR comments into perspective. Here is the entire comment:
But you have to admit that 5 or 6 quarterly reports that say “the worst is behind us” each time… while the market continues to erode is a little tiring.
We all know that the media’s market readers keep preaching that whatever is happening in the short term will last forever. But the NAR hasn’t been too realistic about the short term. Instead of telling people that the market looks challenging, the NAR message has been “Prices are up, it’s a great time to buy.” or “Prices are down, it’s a great time to buy.” The truth is that it is a great time to buy for some people. It is a lousy time to buy for others. Consumers should consult with THEIR REALTOR(R) to find out which camp they are in.
I guess they really didn't like the comment. As of this evening, that comment hasn't been posted to the blog. All of that only goes to show something... The NAR doesn't "get it" and they aren't hip to the grooviness.
So, I know that most of those that comment here are likely to say that I shouldn't be shocked or surprised. I know that a lot of us in the industry aren't thrilled with "our" trade organization. Many of us feel taken for granted, or taken advantage of. We feel like the NAR thinks we exist for their benefit rather than them existing for ours. This MLS/domain name issue and the actions of Move, Inc in relation to Realtor.com are two good examples.
In the case of my less than supportive comment, Dick Gaylord and the others at the NAR wasted a GREAT opportunity. Instead of censoring the comment and hoping it would go away (76,606 members here... a few will read it, and the comment hasn't gone away), they missed a perfect opportunity to respond.
That's right... respond!
Had they wanted to show the other members that I was flat out wrong, they could have responded to the criticisms. It would have gone a lot further with the membership to show that they are open to the dissenting opinion, and can show that they were acting appropriately.
And finally... Part of the allure of blogging is its openness. Transparency. Honesty. How open, transparent and honest is it to censor comments? I understand moderating comments... I killed one today that was spam, and I have dumped comments for language and abusiveness. But I don't see how my comment could have been classified as any of those.
The censored it for dissent...
So, NAR... Dick Gaylord... feel free to post up the comment I gave on your blog and answer it. I'll be happy to say so here... and on the very public post on LaneBailey.com. Or, if you think the appropriate way to answer criticism is to censor it and ignore it, feel free to let me know why right here.
Frankly, I don't expect to hear from anyone at the top of the NAR...
** Edit. I had to go back and add the link to Dick Gaylord's blog post. **
We managed to get some kind of response... Here is the post I wrote about it.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
I agree, they should of published your comment you will have to let us know what happens. NAR is definitely more optimistic than the media but that may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Patricia - It isn't about being optimistic. It is about being honest. I think they were trying to convince people everything was ok for their own benefit... not because they thought everything was alright.
Matthew - No. I want the NAR to find it. I would love to have Dick Gaylord or someone else from the NAR come and comment. I won't cut them off. If it is Member's Only, it won't be picked up by Google. And I'm not saying anything I"m embarrassed to say in public.
Mara - I think that the NAR needs to carefully examine their motives. Are they representing us? Or are they representing themselves?
Rob - Yes. I think that many organizations get taken over by the staff. I think that the NAR has. Then it becomes more about maintaining their power and the status quo.
Karen - Believe it. I just realized I forgot to post the link to Dick's post. I will correct that.
Melina - I agree. Thank you.
I am in total agreement on this one, Lane. I really do hope that NAR redeems itself and that SOMEONE responds to your comments, here or on their blog. I'll be watching....
By the way, I agree with the comment you left for Dick too. :)
Lane,
I have been disturbed by the NAR's public position for some time. Like you, I work in Georgia and we have been particularly hard hit by the collapse of the market, and when consumers here see the Realtor ads they are not fooled, and we come out looking like desperate salespeople.
Do not be stifled, continue to say what you believe, and let the chips fall where they may!
Marlene - Thanks. I'm not hopeful.
Terry - They need to be responsive to the membership. We shouldn't have to hit people over the head to get them to listen to us.
Larry - I am the President of a 4wd club. We have had to go through a lot of changes catching up in the last couple of years. It hasn't been easy. The larger associations have been facing the same issues. But, instead of ignoring the complaints from the membership, we have met them head on and talked about why the changes were needed. In many cases, our most ardent opponents are now the ones spreading the faith. After we talked about why some of the changes were needed, they could see it. In other caes, we have altered the changes we were going to make because we were presented a better idea.
Ignoring the detractors is ignoring good ideas and turning away those that can help if they are shown the light. Explain to me why I am wrong and I will champion the cause!
Richard - I don't think we have been hit particularly hard, but we certainly haven't been spared. But the point is that we can't just hide from the facts and talk about clowns and puppies... And I am tough to stifle. I am perfectly willing to be a lightning rod.
Hey Lane -
At least we know that the censorship extends outside of blogs here in the Rain. Wait - that isn't a positive. Hmmm. I can't think of on positive thing from All this except: keep on fighting the good fight!
~Renae
Who are the non-realtors posting on realtor.com? I must have missed something...
I am not an apologist for anyone, Lane. I was wondering if just your comment was held up or perhaps the tehcnology failed. Now if they posted other comments after you submitted yours ... no good. You're right about the censorship concern.
It seems to me I always get bit by the whole assumption jump-the-shark thing and I'm left with egg on my babyface. .
Lane,
This is just another example of how antiquated they are. It's business as usual. Thanks for trying to make a difference.
Your comment was not wasted, nor a surprise to me. I get the same feeling that I am here as a benefit to NAR, rather than them being here to benefit me. It is easily the worst trade organizaion I have ever belonged to, and I am sick of them calling me trying to sell stuff.
I don't belong to NAR, as I am a lender.... I see so many great new clients that want to buy.... I am very encouraged by the market and don't care what the media says at all.... I can't wait to fund my purchase loans!!
Jennifer Lamm
JenniferLamm.com
Lane
I admire your tenacity. Keep up the good work.
Ed Ryb
Terrific Lane. We write about the media being over the top much of the time, and we have just as much disdain for that as we do for anyone in our profession doing the same thing in reverse. Especially our local competition, and NAR in particular. It's nonsense, and the public knows it too.
Really nice job here
cheers
Lane,
Great post! This deserves to be front and center, not just in the back room of members only. Consumers need to understand that most of us are caring professionals who want to represent the best interests of our clients and not side show barkers trying to get everybody into the see the show. Consumers are the ones that lose when NAR contrives to paint a rosey picture quarter after quarter. This only supports the idea that Realtors are less than professional and we are interchagable with used car salesmen in plaid suits! (My apologies to the used car professionals who simply choose to wear plaid suits - but I needed a visual!)
NAR's message should ONLY be to promote professional Realtors, enhance our knowledge, consumer confidence and act as a voice for the professional members they allegedly represent (for a fee of course!)
Lane,
I love your post!!!! Honesty is the best policy but it seems that there is less and less people in our world willing to tell the TRUTH even though it sets them free!!!!!
Good post. I remember saying in my earlier posts that for years all we heard was that the market will be strong, I did not hear any warnings, nor did I hear about the dangers of easing up the lending practices. Yes, NAR is at fault for not looking ahead. They were just delivering a cheap sales pitch, which fooled a lot of people.
I remember being worried and I remember how I was carefully reading the Magazine and searched for warning signs, but did not find it. We did not get guidance, the general public did not get guidance. Yes, I think NAR has to apologize to both the members and the nation for misleading.
Why on earth people are bashing the media, when NAR did way more damage that any media could conceivably do? They were the ones who were supposed to yell that it is too good to be true, and tell Realtors to be realistic. They are the ones, who were supposed to tell members that this business is cyclical, and that were were on an uphill swing, and we were approaching the top... but they failed miserably, and failed us, and we failed out customers.
This is unfortunate but this is true
Lane,
I'm extremely proud of how are community handled this subject. It's obvious that we can handle this in a professional manner it's unfortunate that one of our voices doesn't feel the same way and prevent you from speaking in a professional manner about a problem their hiding behind.
Keep up the great work! I'm glad to be apart of such a wonderful group of professionals
Don't even get me started. They have my e-mail on auto-filter straight into the junk/spam folder! =[
I need to write my 2nd campaign speech! ;)
Lane, I just think NAR has lost sight of right and wrong, hoping it "will all just go away". Good for you!
I love getting a feature... I keep telling myself that.
Thank you all for your comments. I truly appreciate each and every one... agree or disagree.
Renae - I don't know if it is the good fight, but... Quieting the voices isn't a valid way to deal with things anymore.
Rich - You are a Cool Cat, Man...
Laura - The "real estate is local" mantra is starting to pale. There IS a place for recognition of the national market. And it should fall to the NAR to speak of that market, as it should fall to the states to talk about their market, and the local associations to talk about theirs. And the NAR is working on some very good things. They just need to realize that if people ever believe them again, they have to be HONEST and forthright... not just say whatever it takes to try to get more members and more sales in the short term.
Team DiMuria - The traditional media is seeing an erosion in their trust with the populace as well. Hence the rise of FoxNews and the fall of CNN and the networks. The rise of blogs and the fall of newspapers.
Patrick - You have the same name as my best friend. But, I would point out that the majority of local markets aren't doing well. There are a few standouts, and a few that are seriously tanking, but on the average... the numbers aren't good.
Ida - I'm not up to date on that, but I would bet that R.com is perfectly willing to collect money from advertisers to enhance listings for non-NAR members. Remember, the NAR leases out the domain name and they don't run it.
Andrew - 6 days. No comments posted, but they are soliciting comments for that post. Other posts have comments. All positive.
Susan - I do think they need to seriously examine the "business" model.
Shannon - Oh, the good ol' days...
Jason - Just like a union, the "bosses" get too tied up in being power brokers. Power comes from having members, not always serving them.
Debbie - They want one way communication... with a little adulation thrown back if possible.
Jennifer - I am right with you. But it isn't about that. It's about being honest about the market in general, not about an individual's business result.
Michael - Farting and hurricanes come to mind.
Ed - Tenacious is another word for butt head that won't let it drop...
Robert - It would take a million hits for this to shake anyone's feathers in Chicago. The choir already knows the hymns... and the choir is here on A/R.
Rebecca - The same words naturally flow regardless of the landscape... not a sign of transparency.
Gary - Thank you. That is exactly right. How can we complain about the media being one sided while defending our own trage group being just as partisan.
Marston - The NAR is going to always be a default base of knowledge for those looking to study the "market". They just need to be honest and not deliver the same message all of the time... and when the screw the pooch, admit it.
Jennifer - I appreciate the position the NAR is in. They are chartered to be a cheerleader. But, I have seen the most partisan of politicians berate their own party for blowing it. And I have seen authority increase when admiting a mistake.
Jon - I think that the media was only doing what they do... sensationalizing the available story. The NAR could have advised restraint. But, I will also defend them to the extent that a lot of very smart people didn't really see the bubble ending. But I think that is more a case of not wanting to see it rather than not being able to see it.
Sharon - That is straight to the point of the post. Forget the actions of the NAR during the bubble and crash. Let's just look at what they are doing right now.
Margaret - I think that the NAR does have a responsibility to track the "national market" for what it is. And they also need to remind people when times are good that there are crappy markets, too...
Greg - Thanks.
Russ - The UAW doesn't pretend to look out for car buyers... Maybe the NAR needs to re-examine its role.
Missy - I would think that SOMEBODY in Chicago knows about this post now, thanks to the feature. I would guess that next time I go to the convention I won't have state people clapping me on the back and trying to sweet talk me into chairing anything...
The AMAZING Jessica - (can you tell I am a fan of hers?)... Maybe we can have our own ticket... I will serve as your VP.
Freddy - I guess they subscribe to the "one way mirror" school of transparency.
Wayne - I am a fly on the elephant's butt. At least on this platform, I might infect them with the bite.
Monika - You are probably right. However, if they DO show up, I will do everything I can to not let them be attacked for responding. Disagreed with = ok. Attacking = bad...
Bill - I haven't looked tonight.
Dick - The ol' "even a broken clock is right twice a day" tactic.
Colleen - I agree. I think that the NAR could pound out a lot of good with eminent domain protections, small business health insurance, the FairTax (which I haven't seen them take a stance on). And when it comes to predicting the market, remind the media that the crystal ball is cloudy... and boy have we blown it for the last several quarters...
Audrey - I agree that the want the dissent to just go away...
JoEllen - You are welcome.
Our market isn't doing that badly - but the NAR message is so predictable - "now is a good time to buy" - no matter WHAT and "now is a good time to sell" - no matter WHAT. Trouble is, they make every Realtor look like they are lying UNLESS we say they shouldn't buy or sell. Markets are local anyway -so how a national organization can make such blanket statements about what is a very local issue baffles me.
OHHHH Don't get me started. There are a lot of things that NAR does that is not representative of it members or their viewpoints. I am glad you wrote your comment and exposed the response (or lack thereof) on Active Rain. A lot of people have criticized their new national add that it is a GREAT time to buy/Sell! What about the NEW revised Article 12 -- Is this a "true picture"????
Who were the people who gave these people loans in the first place that caused all the foreclosures.
Maybe the banks need to bite the bullet on these loans and bail these people out. Give them back the 1.5 points for doing the loans.
Maybe all the foreclosures are really people who didn't actually qualify in the first place but were given loans anyway?
The market should be great. This is clearly a lender issue not a REALTOR issue or market issue.
If the media would change gears and attack the real issue things would change.
Am I wrong? Where is the NAR stand on that? The REALTORS don't approve loans for these people.
I have nothing against you hard working lenders that do a good job. You know who you are.
Censorship - Ouch!! That is a hard one to swallow.
I have appreciated the REALTOR commercials because there is a positive side of this market and it has been underreported - having said that, I do agree that they are saying too little too often. The same message repeated over and over can sound self-serving to a public that is sometimes already suspicious of our profession.
I suppose that it is up to us as individuals to expand on the message and back it up in parts of the country where we can with stats, expertise, discussions and our blogs. Ultimately, we are all responsible for providing the expertise on a personal level!
Tiffany Cloud, Arizona
(sidenote: funny thing, the spell check just caught the word 'blogs' as misspelled -- on a blog....OK, it's really late and that just seems funny to me! :) )
Lane;
I beleive this NAR's post(s) is/are out of frustration. When you deal with such an incredible force as powerful as the media, (in which I believe is the most powerful force in the world) it just becomes tiring to fight..its like throwing rocks at a tank...you can throw all day, but those rocks bounce off...coupled with - "THEY DONT GET IT" I think any negativity right now is not what their looking for..the word "lousy" may have upset them...(remember, the media regualtes EVERYTHING in the world, including the upcoming election)
BUT....I do agree with you...and i have said myself (on AR) why doesnt the NAR find someone on this site to do their blogging or internet advertising/propaganda/fighting/whatever to help them, they simply dont "get" the whole blogging thing...they seem to avoid it...
All they need to do is open their eyes and come onto AR and find some people to help them with this...there are 100's of incredibly talented bloggers/writers on this forum...MOST REALTORS dont get blogging, the internet, etc...my broker in fact asks me "what do you do on the internet" WHAT???????
Lane,
I wholeheartedly agree. I think this actually may be changing though as more of the "dinosaurs" retire. Those of us who regularly use the internet and didn't just start so we could be "hip" and "grow our business" already knew the wisdom behind the marketplace of ideas. We know the value of true information and of discourse when "truth" may not be so obvious. It appears, however, that we may just have to wait it out and let the "people will believe what we TELL them to believe" folks retire.
Lane...
Can you imagine what it is like for the people that don't blog?
Hang in there,
Steve
Lane - you are my new blogging hero. I try to move the masses with few entries/good reporting/shock value. You do it only with one thing: integrity.
Awesome.
Wow. Again, thank you for all of the comments. I am working on what I think the NAR and Dick Gaylord's response to me SHOULD have been. I will post that up here after it finishes cooking...
Lola - That is just it. I offered a perfect opportunity for them to be transparent and look better for it.
Mary - Whole different thing... and I guess I'll be googling wikileaks...
Matt - With 1.3 million members, I would bet that 20% of them noticed... 70% wouldn't notice unless their butts were on fire and their hair was catching... and 10% would never admit they noticed.
Bob - Leadership doesn't involve putting duct tape over the mouths of dissent.
Richard - No problem.
Ruthmarie - As I have said, there is a place for talk about the "national market." It is no different than stocks. "The market" is made up of the performance of thousands of individual stocks. The national market is made up of the performance of millions of individual sales. Heck, the local "market" doesn't really exist either. It all comes down to one house at a time.
Joan - There are a lot of people that are going to disagree no matter what the NAR does, but they owe it to the public and the membership to be honest about why they pick a path.
Keith - It isn't so pent up. I think it extends from the fact that many feel that our professional reputation (as a group) has been mismanaged by our trade union... I mean organization.
John - Depends on who you talk to... And that is part of the point. The NAR should have been paying more attention to those that weren't always convinced the market was going up forever.
Sandra - That would solve part of the problem.
Marlene - I don't think they will step into the snake pit... and as this comment thread grows, I can't say I blame them.
Brian - This isn't about assigning blame for the current crunch. It is more about the NAR's reaction to criticism.
Joe - All we want is some realism.
Tiffany - When the message is the same regardless of the landscape, the message is no longer valid. And I think the reason the public is suspicious of our profession is because of that message.
Russ - Think of a kid sitting in the closet in the dark with his hands over his ears repeating the same mantra over and over.
Kristal - I think the NAR started losing its way when they decided to be a power broker and a business model rather than represent their membership.
Eliud - Thank you.
Jeannie - I'm not holding my breath.
Jason - You know me. Have pot stirrer... will travel.
Dave - The post is more about the NAR trying to squelch its own membership when they disagree than it is about the media and their treatment of the housing situation. Of course, it is easy to stray over there... I keep doing it.
John - Ostrich...
Aaron - The first thought I had was that of the Soviet Union. I don't recall which Chairman it was, but he was the first one that wasn't part of the Octoberists. Despite him being 70+, he was referred to as a "younger generation." I think the NAR has a long way to go before they work through the Realtorsauruses. I know that there are still a bunch of them in my market. Look at the people you run into. Do they embrace new media and technology? Do they embrace the free flow of information? Are they trying to be the gatekeepers as they were 20 years ago?
Jimmy - You are welcome.
Obeoman - They write letters... But they don't get 1000 views and scores of supportive comments. That has to be frustrating.
Douglas - Not a hero. I just had to say something.
How about a simple message from the NAR -- Our Professional REALTORS, people of integrity, are experienced and educated and ready to guide you thru the real estate process.
Whoops, not signed in. Above comment mine. I agree about the NAR 100%.
I think you should do a separate blog with your example of the 'correct answer,' Most people just scroll down to the comment box (as much as we'd like them to read all the comments, but that is a lesson I have learned the hard way!).
You are doing a great job, in any case.
Hero is not bad, trust me.
Scott - Nice sentiment, but it doesn't tell consumers what is going on in the world. The problem is that the NAR gets call from the media asking for their predictions on the coming market.
Chris - I know that my clients appreciate when I tell them what's on my mind... even when they don't agree. They may or may not take my counsel, but they are glad to know that I am willing to tell them the truth as I see it.
Greg - There are times I think that the NAR wrote all of the market reports at the same time... and just released them when needed.
I bank blog posts sometimes. I had some pre-written recently (so that I could keep up the schedule when my son was born). But I know that the may need to be re-edited even a couple of days after being written.
Josué - You are welcome.
Jimmy - I am not expecting a response. Would you respond into this crowd?
Bill - They are closer to the membership, but I wonder how connected some are to the market.
Christy - Personally I don't doubt the accuracy of the numbers. It is the interpretation I don't trust.
Chris - There is a way to be positive and ethical. But, being rosy in the face of the thorns isn't necessarily it.
Douglas - Maybe I'll just leave it there as a bonus for the people paying attention... Thanks.
Brian - Pumping sunshine up the skirts of the consumer will lead to distrust, so when there are clear signs the market is turning, no one will believe it.
Lane,
As I said in the beginning of your blog, I back you 100%. This is totally unbelievable. Now we know who has "our" back's in this disgusting market...and who obviously won't help.
Kudo's for you! Thanks for sharing...I mean I thought, but didn't want to believe that this was happening.
You need 2 STARS FOR THIS ONE!
What we need to remember is that the NAR is a numbers driven organization.
All that matters to them are the numbers. More members mean more dollars to use for lobbyists and advertising, which they hope will draw in more members.
The NAR has been neglectful of many aspects affecting the livelihood of the vast diversity of its members.
Any organization or person, for that matter, that is always positive, while neglecting the real facts is worthy of scrutiny. Most of us are uncomfortable with scrutiny and therefore become censors of sorts.
The consumers of today are aware when the wool is being pulled over their eyes, for the most part, and they then begin to distrust all people associated with such an organization.
Good for you on your efforts. Allowing it to be "public" is healthy for the discussion it creates and the consumers need to see that we can address adversity among ourselves.
Bad for NAR to not print your comments, and Bad for the NAR for not being members of web sites like AR and making the effort to address such issues head-on.
Maybe you should send this whole post, along with the comments, to the powers to be at NAR for their review.
Kent - I find it amusing and sad at the same time.
Karen - Thank you for your support...
Don - With real estate agents having such a hard time with the trust of the public, the NAR's actions don't help. But, I would bet that there are some folks here with the NAR looking at what is being said. They just don't want to weigh in.
Frustration with OUR trade organization? Hmmm, that's assuming that NAR really is OUR trade organization. Their relationship with MOVE, Inc. makes me think otherwise. If you're reading this comment and don't know what I'm talking about, look into how Realtor.com operates and then tell me if you think that NAR is operating in it's member's best interest or not?
Lane, excellent post! I hope that they read it and start to understand that we're all not a bunch of dummies!
Bob Mitchell
ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.
I got you covered.
I made a couple of calls and some NAR representatives will be joining and looking at your comments soon. These are clients of mine who will add their perspective and maybe answer some questions.
Each and everyone of you have your own NAR representatives for your state and or region. Ask your local association who they are and talk to them. Invite them to activerain.com they may be too busy to even know that it exists.
Real estate is local and so are your Reps.
Do you have a login at http://www.realtor.org/ You will need it to access this page. This may have all the names of all the reps. I don't have access but you as a REALTOR do.
http://www.realtor.org/LeadGov.nsf/pages/2007directory?Opendocument
If you want to know what NAR is publicly broadcasting media wise. go to http://www.willisandjillstone.com/ and watch the videos from NAR. This is the current media campaign.
They put the videos on the site for you to use. http://www.realtor.org/pac.nsf/pages/pachome
I have also added a great video from The Idaho Falls REALTORS. You may want to create your own "Real Estate is Local" video and put it on youtube.com and all the others.
Cathy & Gary - Yeah... falling in line isn't one of my strong suits.
Bob - I'm no fan of Move. I look at the SCCA ownership of the name Trans-Am and how it carried them for years financially. Then I see the the NAR and R.com. The SCCA wasn't fleecing their members by leasing the name to GM.
Suzanne - I don't know that I'm usually right on, but I try...
Brian - You might look at my comment about "real estate is local" earlier in the thread... But, thank you for getting someone over there on it. I wonder if my comment will get posted... If it does, I will update this to reflect that.
Great post - I could not agree more, see my blog on the numbers and just how big the distressed property market is. We believe we are at the beginning of a very long process that the real estate market will havee to adjust to and learn to excel in. NAR needs to be much more realistic. I wonder how many investors and homeowners have purchased based on NAR predictions and have seen their values slide on a consistent basis. Great post, thanks!
Alex Charfen
www.1cdpe.com
www.charfenteam.com
Without a doubt times are tough right now -- but I bought a home last year, so did my sister, and my mom is currently listed to sell. So, people move on, regardless of what others say.
I highly doubt there will be a day, soon, where the media will get out their horns and exclaim it's a great real estate market right now.
Blogging would be particularly helpful if agents would give more market info.
Happy Sailing ... _/) Paul -- www.eNewsletterSolutions.com
Lane - This is the first time I saw this, thanks for mentioning it in my comments. Interesting to see your take on the NAR's insistence on positive reports, since I just wrote a whole post about it recently - "Are Realtors® Too Positive About The Market? Or Are They Not Doing Enough?" I was hoping to see more consumer opinions on the issue, but most of them have remained silent so far.
Matt - Consumer comments are very welcome... but also a bit rare...