I
don’t know if any of you
remember Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, but it
showcased beautiful
homes
that looked great and they were something most people would want to
own. But,
what happened to those days? Now, we have EBay and it seems
buyers are more about price than they
are the
actual home and what it has to offer. The MLS seems to be
a place you
can look
at homes and list them from lowest price to highest and the lowest
price wins,
no matter what is actually being offered. Can or will we ever go back to
what the home has to offer model or are
we going
to get to the point where people will start buying homes sight unseen
just
because it is a great price?
Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
©2009
Todd Clark - Has
the online MLS made real estate more like EBay rather than Better Homes
and Gardens Magazine?
Todd I think you are on to something, yes these days it's all about the price and the bottom seem to be winning.
Your bargain shopper is going for the $ / oz - which in our field converts to $ / sf. That might not be as cynical as it might sound. Perhaps we ought to step back to Maslov's hierarchy for a good explanation of why. Shelter first, luxury second. Today, it seems to be more about necessities.
Here too, more and more buyers just want a great deal and it's all about the price not really about the house. ~Rita
Hi Todd..is it Greed or Bargain Hunting..or just too may homes to choose from that will create all of this..and yes people want a great price, but they also really do want a place they can call home...which leads to indecisive action by many. Take everything off the market and watch what happens :O)
At the low end things are moving. At the top they are not. At least not here.
We are seeing a trend toward not spending all that you are qualified for.
That is a good trend...in the long term.
Houses at the very high end are going to take years to come back....unless of course the Congress expands the tax credit to all buyers.
Then the top will benefit some ...before the temporary benefit turns into a demand-pull-inflation-induced case of the serious doldrums.
I don't think that the online MLS caused this or even contributes to it. Buyers naturally grow more price conscious in an uncertain economy. When we begin to show strong signs of improvement and consumer confidence grows, the focus will shift toward features.
Todd,
First homes should be sensible! Second homes maybe. Hopefully your third home can be bought from the hart!
Bill
PS: We're looking forward to your visit.
Todd,
First homes should be sensible! Second homes maybe. Hopefully your third home can be bought from the hart!
Bill
PS: We're looking forward to your visit.
Price has become so important almost too important. Buyers buy then find out the improvements they need make might have better bought a home with the improvements.
I think of a home that I want to be comfortable in, yes I do understand payments can make some comfortable, but I've seen a lot of people settle in the last 3 months because they don't want to lose that $8,000 tax credit.