Jean Joh

Are Things Looking Up?
March 11, 2009 ·  

looking-up“Jean, a conference room is available for you upstairs…Jean, a conference room is available.”  Such went a page by my trusty colleague Shokoofeh about a week ago.  I was meeting a client in order to submit an offer on a condo, but to my dismay (and some delight too) ALL of our conference rooms were full.  Shokoofeh had just finished meeting with her clients, so she was able to vacate one conference room just in time for me and my client.  At our company meeting last Friday, one of the brokers mentioned how pleased he was to hear this page and that he was hoping it was a sign that things were going in a positive direction.  I couldn’t help but agree.

When people ask me about the real estate market (and who’s not interested in the subject?), I can’t help but tell them that things are actually going well and in fact, quite busy.  Case in point, just a brief recap of some of the titles from recent blogs on this site alone:

SSF Real Estate becoming a competitive sport: http://tinyurl.com/abqqds

Open House Drawing Black Friday Crowds:  http://tinyurl.com/blvph9

Open House TOOOOO Crowded ???:  http://tinyurl.com/9nqjah

January home sales in the west are WAY up!:  http://tinyurl.com/bfphc2

Have We Hit Bottom?: http://tinyurl.com/blvph9

I also posted a blog on Active Rain a little while back, attempting to get a Nationwide Roll Call from other Realtors: http://tinyurl.com/d6dwv5.  Although I didn’t get as many responses as I would have liked, here are some of the comments received:

Activity is up here on Cape Cod, too.  Even with a few inches of snow in the morning and 50 degree rain in the evening yesterday, I showed property!

Business is starting to pick up in the Atlanta market as well, or at least from the Realtors that I work with.

I have sold 3 houses already this year, a great start for me! Showings are really picking up too. I’m in Indianapolis, Indiana.

I also have sold 3 this month and the office reports good business as well. In fact, twice as good as last January!! BTW, talking about Akron Ohio and NE Ohio.

So are things looking up?  I won’t pretend that the unemployment rates and the daily travails on Wall Street don’t bother me, and I’ve certainly been meeting my share of those who have lost (or are in danger of losing) their homes.  But I’m really hoping that the increased activity I’m seeing and hearing about in the real estate market is an indication that there’s light at the end of the tunnel for all of us.

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Comments

10 Responses to “Are Things Looking Up?”

  1. Nicole on March 11th, 2009 3:12 pm

    Great post Jean. I believe there is a definite light at the end of this tunnel and if we all continue to be pro-active and stay positive things will be looking up for a long time to come!

  2. Kathy Wall on March 11th, 2009 8:04 pm

    I agree with you Jean. As frustrating as things seem at times, there is a definite increase in activity. I’m getting lots more phone calls and inquiries about my listings. The key is getting those people off of the fence and into a house, but I think we’re starting to see that happening.

  3. Brian Boisson on March 11th, 2009 8:05 pm

    Thanks for the post, Jean.

    Great positive info, and a harbinger for the near future!

    Brian

  4. Jean Joh on March 11th, 2009 9:39 pm

    Just wanted to add – already got responses from Washington DC, Oregon, Northern Virginia and even Canada letting me know that things are picking up there too!

  5. Adam Chinn on March 12th, 2009 8:08 pm

    Hi Jean,
    Yet another great post from you. I have also experienced the conference rooms being full and its great. Things seem to be looking up for the real estate market. Keep up the great work and I’m sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel for us all. Thanks again,

  6. Karin Cunningham on March 13th, 2009 12:42 am

    Thank YOU, JEAN! I think it’s just going to get busier as we get closer to summer! That’s how it usually is, anyways. I’m excited!!!

  7. Jonathan Shaw on March 13th, 2009 3:52 pm

    Hi Jean,
    I remember hearing that all the conference rooms were in use, and thought “just like the old days”. I also love that you asked other agents around the country how they are doing. There is no doubt that activity and sales are up. I am a great believer that positive energy and hard work will make you successful all the time. Great blog, and continue your personal success.
    Jonathan

  8. francis G. Bautista on March 13th, 2009 3:53 pm

    Great blog Jean. The last 4 days has also been good for the stock market (bank stocks up)…that is a positive sign as well.

  9. Jean Joh on March 14th, 2009 11:55 am

    Thanks for all the comments and especially to Jonathan Shaw, as you are someone who’s seen our company through its infant stages until now.

    Francis, I was just thinking about the stock market rally as well – maybe someone on Wall Street is reading my blog? :*) But seriously, it feels like there’s a little more “cautious optimism” in the air, and that’s a great sign!

  10. Larry Franzella on March 19th, 2009 11:15 am

    Every day there are more indicators that the market is moving in a positive direction!

    Larry Franzella

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