Lots of bloggers are doing end-of-year posts – reflecting back on what happened in 2008 – and making predictions for 2009. For the real estate industry, 2008 was a challenging year to say the least. Some agents made it through – some didn’t - and some are clinging by their fingernails . Some brokerages stayed in business – some went bankrupt. Some markets stabilized – some continued to decline. Here in central Ohio, I “think” we began to slowly start to stabilize. (How’s that for being a little wishy-washy.)
I mentioned to a client that I felt as if I were President Bush … ducking shoes … as each month it seemed another shoe was thrown at us. Great visual!
- The Media controls events all year (per their company’s agenda) with their spin … DUCK!
- Big lenders declare bankruptcy … DUCK!
- Down-payment-assistance programs stopped … DUCK!
- Subprime loans cease … DUCK!
- Lenders stiffen qualification requirements … DUCK!
- Contracts fall apart when buyers suddenly can’t get financed … DUCK!
- Foreclosures continue to harm home prices … DUCK!
- Sellers want to price their home as if it were 2004 … DUCK!
- Too much housing inventory, too few buyers … DUCK!
- Major banks failed or merged … DUCK!
- Stock market drops to the 8000′s … DUCK!
- Government rewards bad management with bailouts … DUCK!
- Unemployment rate rises … DUCK!
- Politicians and CEO’s did some really stupid things … DUCK!
I weathered 2008 very well in spite of the shoes that were thrown. However, I’m not taking any chances for 2009. I’m suiting up. Bring it on! I’m ready to take on whatever the unsavory politicians, the biased media or the unscrupulous CEO’s throw at me!
Oh … my advice for 2009???
Invest in hockey gear!
“We’re gonna need a bigger … stick!”
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Great visual! YES, dressed to protest is perfect!
Joan, more likely I’m dressed to DEFEND myself.