Please Respond to this Poll

I’ve got a poll running regarding the number of short sales and foreclosures on the MLS on my other blog that I’d like to see responses to.  Please go over and visit and submit your opinion!

Posted by Aaron Dickinson - Edina Realty on 03-28-2008 at 08:03 am
Posted in General with 0 Comments

I Love Fan Mail

Today I received a call from a reader that wanted to first and foremost commend me for my blog, but also had a couple questions to ask.  It’s great to get calls or emails from readers (there’s a lot of you out there!) and I’m always happy to answer questions as well.

If you need something, do not hesitate to call or email me.

Posted by Aaron Dickinson - Edina Realty on 03-22-2008 at 01:03 pm
Posted in General, Opinion, Personal Experiences with 1 Comment

Edina Realty’s Funny New TV Commercials

Edina Realty has just kicked off their 2008 advertising campaign and has some very funny commercials they are running in Minnesota but also posted to YouTube… take a look:

Nerd & Model:

Biker & Mom:

Grandma & HipHop:

Hunter & Yoga Gal:

Nerd & Model Outtake 1:

Nerd & Model Outtake 2:

Posted by Aaron Dickinson - Edina Realty on 03-10-2008 at 03:03 pm
Posted in General, Info for Buyers, Info for Sellers, Personal Experiences with 1 Comment

NAR Needs to Shut Up

If the incessant radio ads from the National Association of REALTORS were not enough, now I see they are also on television with the same garbage: “real estate is a good investment and historically doubles every 10 years.”  Give me a break.

There are many, many things that my association does well but this is a prime example of a ridiculous message at a horrible time.  I don’t know if there is a single consumer out there today that expects that a house they buy today will double in the next 10 years… and I think most understand that the housing market is not going to move higher for several years.

This ad simply promotes the misconception that REALTORS do not understand what is actually happening in the real estate market today, or that we simply will not accept it.  When sales are down 30%+ from two years ago (and consequently commissions) and we’re seeing more empty desks and less people in the office, I can assure you that we as agents understand that this is a different market with different needs.

Instead of trying to sell promises of sunshine in the middle of a hurricane, the National Association of REALTORS would be much better off to admit that this market isn’t perfect for everyone, but that there are good opportunities out there for certain people in certain situations.

NAR: Please either promote a more realistic message or shut up entirely… I don’t need the kind of help you’re giving me right now.

Posted by Aaron Dickinson - Edina Realty on 02-15-2008 at 01:02 am
Posted in General, Info for Buyers, Info for Sellers, Market Stats, Opinion with 1 Comment

Market Stats Showing Acceleration of Downturn

If you look at both the weekly MAAR report  and the January Monthly Indicators  you will see that the market is slipping more substantially in January this year vs. previous years.

I personally see this as a positive as the current capitulation in the market will hopefully mean a quicker trek to the bottom and should help drive buyers waiting on the sidelines back into this market.  I also feel like these stats finally show what I think many people have felt out in the market for quite some time…

With the HAI hitting 149 & a historical average in the mid-150’s (RREAR Page 2 and January Monthly Indicators Page 12), we’re getting awfully close to historical affordability levels.

Due to our seasonal nature in Minnesota real estate I still think we won’t see a bottom until Q4 2008 but the acceleration downward makes it seem more possible that this market will find its bottom in 2008 and not limp slowly down the hill for years to come.  Add to that the plan the 6 banks are putting forward to renegotiate loans already in default and I sense that this market is finally starting to make steps that will lead to a definite bottom in the future.

It’s impossible to time the market bottom and with interest rates still near all-time lows it isn’t a bad time to make a move up to a more expensive home or to buy a first home.  Prices may fall further but if interest rates move higher on inflation fears, any additional decrease in sales prices may be erased by equivalent or greater increases in interest rates.

If you’re wondering if now is a good time to buy for your situation, feel free to call or email me to discuss your situation.

Posted by Aaron Dickinson - Edina Realty on 02-11-2008 at 09:02 pm
Posted in General with 0 Comments