My New Blog

For the first time the other day I visited the craigslist housing forum. I truly did not know what to expect in this forum but I really was suprised by the venom that people have towards others who do not share their beliefs. I saw people call each other many derisive  names for disagreeing with them without at least trying to defend their position with facts. Their only defense was calling each other jerks, idiots, retarded (their words not mine), loser, etc. I saw where someone had posted a legitimate question about real estate and the people in the forum who believe that housing is not a good investment at this time jumped on the poster with an array of insults for even thinking of buying a home. These posters only want their views known and no other. If you disagree you are either mentally challenged or a lying scumbag realtor. I understand that people may have a different point of view that I have but to stereotype either me, my profession or others as part of an argument is not the best method of getting me to listen and try to understand what your point of view is.

I believe that in my market now is a great time to buy real estate. The prices are at a 35 year low and interest rates are still low. If you are trying to time the bottom of the market you are going to miss out on some good deals that are out there NOW. The Tampa market has experienced a 66% increase in home sales over the same period last year. New home construction fell 3.3% further reducing inventory. The inventory fell from 18 months to 15 months and median home sales price rose to $224,000. Is this true in every market in the United States? Absolutely not and Tampa still has work to do in the shedding of excess inventory but the bottom line is that things are improving whether people want to admit it or not. It is easy to be critical of others and their beliefs but there is great value in the opinion of others who do not share your point of view. Their arguments should inspire you revisit your own closely held beliefs and to intelligently research the topic and make your own decisions, but derision is not an argument or an exchange of ideas. It is bullying in its most basic schoolyard form.