Herb's Portland Oregon Real Estate Blog your RE/MAX Agent

What is the single greatest challenge to the Portland Oregon economy? Is it Jobs ? Is it Money for lenders as the national news would report? Or is it apathy and falsehoods?

Yesterday I was sitting down for a little rest and relaxation at a favorite hang out and heard someone in the background with a rather boisterous voice exclaiming to any and all who would listen to just how poor she thought the economy is.

On and on she went describing one debacle after another about others tales of doom and gloom. Not stopping long enough to give names or credibility to the short stories she weaved. Building into a crescendo as more and more interest grew from the surrounding group she blurted " and if your thinking about getting a home loan you can forget about that ! " " There are no home loans available that is unless you have a credit score in the high 700's and you have at least 25% down."

It was right there I had enough and rose up and said " That is just not true"suddenly the room became quiet and the attention swung to see me standing there confronting this purveyor of negativity. " What she exclaimed? "

"None of the things you say are true", I said. There  are abundant home loan products available. " As a real estate Broker working in this state now for over 20 years I am finding no problem at all finding home loans for virtually anyone who wants one."

Just at that time a fellow who had been sitting close to me also stood up and said. " I agree completely!" He went on to say " I am a car salesman and have to combat this every day." He told us of a common story that happens in his business day in and day out. That of Buyers out looking and finding incredible deals yet reluctant to buy. When quarried their response is that they heard that there were no loans available. " It is just not true he said " " I have multiple financing options available and the rates have never been better"

All in all this is a great time to buy! If your looking for that next car or Your Next Home now is the time. Or you can always wait for prices to start to climb. Then you can sit back and say " Gee I should have bought when the market was down "

Let_your_next_Portland_home_find_you  stop by or sign up direct at www.househuntportland.com  you will be amazed.

Day in and day out I am bombarded with on line solutions. I read about them in posts from members here and everywhere about new sites they have found. They arrive in my email inbox.

Yes some are very good. Some are very poor. I sign up on them right and left for exposure is good. Yet as I look around at my peers I do not see the same enthusiasm. Oh sure, it is common place for most agent's to use  Craig's_List  as it has now become Main Stream but not much beyond that.

I like to talk shop. What greater way of discovering new market techniques is there than talking shop with your friends, associates and your competition.

I can not tell you how often though I hear these same words. " Your not going to talk about that Blogging Stuff are you? " Normally said with a cocked head and a facial expression that can only be read as one of disdain.

Some how I guess we bloggers have slipped off the edge of reality. How unfortunate for us. Once thought to be future icons, we now have both feet planted on the slippery slope to doom.

I can see it in their faces. That look interpreted as a plea for me to come back to printed media before it is to late.

When confronted with that statement I cordially smile and say " No, I wouldn't bore you with that. " With an internal smile to myself and a curiosity as to what kind of return must they be getting on their traditional print media advertising.

One would think the way they defend it that it must be huge. Yet when quarried the answer is now and has always been the same, Just a couple of calls or nothing at all. Even so I see these same individuals seeking out new avenues of traditional media to hawk their wares.

I have even heard recently of an Agent who has signed up for a one year TV contract at an extraordinary expense. After 2 1/2 months the results have been " Lots of calls saying they seen the ads from friends and well wishers". Yet not one call asking to see the property or an appointment of any kind.

Destined to be disappointed with the poor results after several months of giving it the old college try. They hang their head shaking it from side to side and lift it only from time to time as they here of another traditional media hopeful.

But not that dreaded Blogging thing! Your not one of those are you???

Let_your_next_Portland_home_find_you  stop by or sign up direct at www.househuntportland.com  you will be amazed.