HOME OWNERSHIP? IS NOW THE TIME TO BUY?
When I started in the Real Estate field about ten years ago, there were tons of Realtors. I would go into the national known office I started with and Realtors were running, it seemed, in every direction getting their work done. Some were found in the 'work room' where anyone could go to make copies, get online on computers, check their mailbox, get new forms, etc. I was always intimidated by the 'ones' who had their own offices with the door shut and their name on the door - that meant they were Top Sellers and 'important'. I can remember thinking ' they must be really important ' because I seldom seen them out of that office! Then there were the 'ones' who were in a room with three other people at a cubical who were working their way up to better office space. There were 'levels' everywhere and I didn't know where I fit in because when you first started out, you had to sit in a BIG room that everyone walked through at one of the many desks that were there. That desk was not 'yours'; it was used by someone else when you weren't there. I felt like a small spec in the midst of many others who were more important than me.
I was faithful to get up every morning and drive an hour into this office space to learn this business; problem being NO ONE was teaching me anything about HOW to make this business work so I could get in one of those offices. The one thing I do have is determination, so I learned by watching others, sending out tons of announcements to anyone I knew to see if they needed real estate help. I volunteered to do Open Houses for some of those Top Sellers, I tried to become friends by taking other Realtors out to lunch, and offered to help them in any way they might need it. It was tough because no one wanted to help another Realtor be successful and give away their secrets! The market was booming then and there were lots of houses on the market with lots of buyers wanting home ownership. Loans were designed differently than they are now which enabled buyers to find something that fit their needs.
Because no one helped me learn, I decided I could do this by myself, so I got my Brokers License and started my own office. I have seen changes throughout the years, but the one thing that seems to remain is: people want home ownership and those who have never had it, need help through that process. A first time home buyer, no matter how old they are, needs help in the whole process because they have no idea how or where to start. The people who work for me are taught to be HELPFUL, to go the extra mile, to get all the information they can so we can all be TOP SERVICE PROVIDERS. Notice, I didn't say 'top sellers'? Someone who is determined to be the Top Seller, is focused on $$$ instead of putting their client first. We don't operate that way. We provide Top Service to EVERYONE no matter what price range they are in.
Is now the time to buy? Why wouldn't it be! I have never seen interest rates this low! I heard multi-millionaire, Donald Trump, say in an interview about the economy and the mess things are in, as he laughed - 'Now is the best time to buy for an investor such as myself. Rates are down, housing prices are down, THIS is when I make my money!' and then he added, ' why do you think the politicians are letting this state of economy continue'! Well, I don't know about you, but if he can make a statement like that, NOW is the time to buy, so why should people that want home ownership shy away from it!
Go for it! But do so, with a Realtor that puts your interest first!
~Brenda~
FIRM FOUNDATIONS REALTY
Brenda S. Campbell, Managing Broker/Owner
17821 Coltallen Drive
Carlinville, Il. 62626
217-854-7247
firmfoundation@frontiernet.net
Brenda S. Campbell, Managing Broker/Owner
17821 Coltallen Drive
Carlinville, Il. 62626
217-854-7247
firmfoundation@frontiernet.net
