How’s the Market, You Ask? Why Do You Want to Know?

I’m a Realtor and as such, part of my job is to let people know that I’m a Realtor. If I don’t, I will never have clients, and if I don’t have clients, I won’t be a Realtor for very much longer.*

To let people know that I’m a Realtor, I sometimes wear my name tag, I write on this blog, I use social media, I sponsor events,** and I advertise my listing and myself in different ways.

Because of this, I don’t think that a day goes by without someone asking me: “So, how’s the market?”

Dear Curious mind,

If you haven’t already conveyed to me that you are in the market to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, my initial answer to you will likely be (with a smile): “Why do you ask?”

I know. Some people really hate it when one answers a question with a question. At the same time, I’m sure you want more than: “Wow! The market is great!” Right? One thing I’ve realized over the years is that when people want to know how the market is doing, they are, in fact, wondering how they are doing in relation to the market.

Therefore, to properly answer your question, I need to know what your relation with the market is. So when I say, “Why do you ask,” I am actually asking:

• Are you thinking about buying your first home?
• Are you thinking of moving up or moving down?
• Do you want to know if now is a good time to invest in real estate and rental properties?
• You heard that your neighbor is losing his house and you wonder how it will affect you and your home’s value?
• Are you about to lose your home and you wonder what to do?
• Are you thinking about selling your home and moving to another state or country?
• Do you own a home and wonder if now is a good time to sell?
• Are you thinking about becoming a Realtor you wonder if now is a good time to get your license?

Obviously, there is a different answer to each of these questions, not to mention that home values differ from one town to the next and from one neighborhood to the next. And I know you don’t want to me to talk about investing in real estate if you are about to lose your home.

Are you wondering how the market is doing in Lafayette, LA and the Acadiana area? Go ahead, ask me, and don’t forget to tell me why you are asking!

 

* The other part of my job, of course, is to assist my clients in buying, selling or investing in real estate. Email me or Call me (wherever you are) if I can be of assistance.

 

** I’m sponsoring the 8th annual Archive Aid again this year and it is tonight (June 4th, 2011) at the Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette. Archive Aid is a fundraiser for the Archives of Cajun and Creole Folklore at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Music begins at 5 pm with main stage performances by Joe Hall, Tepetate, a Charivari Reunion and Feufollet with members of BeauSoleil. In between each performance will be front porch sessions with David Doucet, Kristi Guillory & Anya Burgess and David Greely. A minimum donation of $10 gets you in the door and allows you to enjoy complimentary traditional and veggie jambalaya (provided by yours truly and Warmbelly Catering).