I’m curious.
As a rule that would be a mundane statement, I’m just naturally inquisitive. But lately my curiosity’s been a little more focused. Is the experience of a real estate buyer somehow different than in the past? I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon and I’d really like to know what you think about this; as a buyer, as a homeowner, a real estate agent, lender or appraiser, attorney or escrow officer… anyone who’s been involved in a recent transaction in any way.
Incase you’ve been unconscious for some extended period of time, we’ve had a real estate market crash. Not just any crash but a doozie, and as a significant portion (some would say cause) of the general financial plague we’re now recovering from, it seems to have made buyers feel differently about owning a home. Surprisingly it’s not what you think.
Caution? yes I get that, and people certainly are being smart and cautious. I could see hesitation and I’d even understand outright resistance. But what I’ve observed is quite the opposite and I have to admit that yes, I’m a little surprised. There seems to be an almost tangible atmosphere of determination. Not just the old reflex that owning a home is something everyone wants, but more a conviction that it’s the right thing to do.
Being on the inside, I’ve been aware for quite some time that slow and steady recovery of the market is not an illusion. But the media seems to be consistently inconsistent (the market’s up, the market’s stable, buyer’s market, seller’s market) and usually that’s what drives public opinion.
Then again, it shouldn’t be so surprising. We tend to be a resilient society and things that affect us deeply seem only to reinforce our backbone, give us energy, make us more assured of what the right direction is. Just as after a disaster when we rally to the assistance of the injured folks, we seem to have rallied in our own defense this time. In the midst of financial chaos we determined that an abstract entity like “the real estate market” was not going to beat us down. We’re in control this time and we can make it better.
Maybe I’m over-thinking this. Maybe it’s just a good time to buy. But because I’m always curious, I’d really like to hear about someone else’s experience. What do you think?
