Life as a semi-rookie agent

Well, I started my real estate career one year ago and it's been a heck of a year to start a career in real estate, or so my friends say. I have a positive take on the whole real estate situation. I think this is the best environment to learn our craft right. When it's tough you learn more. I've seen around 125 properties this year and it's such a pleasure to see so many home staged well. I think it's been great for the condition of the housing stock on Cleveland's east side. Of course for sellers prices today are a hard pill to swallow compared to what they were 2 years ago. The flip side of that is that seller's moving on to bigger houses are enjoyind reduced prices, so for them it's a wash. This whole drastic reduction in home prices reminds us of one basic truth-- A house or condo is primarily A PLACE TO MAKE YOUR HOME, and secondarily an investment. Like stocks, the prices of homes go up and down, and they will go back up when the market corrects.

During all this turmoil I've learned a great deal and I've had the great fortune of having very supportive and helpful colleagues at Realty One. The Shaker office is great. I've had a ball learning about properties, people, law, finance, neighborhoods, blogging, and everything else that goes into being a real estate agent. The people are what I enjoy most! Aside from a few uptight rude agents, most of them are very collegial and I'M HAVING FUN!

I hope you weekend was great and stay tuned for more......

Scott

Identity Theft

You may have seen ads on TV where this guy advertises his social security number on a truck for everyone to see. I checked his product out and it looks pretty good! This is cheap insurance against a potential disaster in your economic life! For more information see:

http://www.lifelock.com

Cleveland Heights History

Here's a very interesting short history of Cleveland Heights, courtesy of Cleveland Heights' official website...

http://www.clevelandheights.com/historyarch.asp

RATE CUT AT LAST!!

Today's decision by the Fed to cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points (1/2 % in laymen's language) is just what real estate needed. Not only will in make new mortgages cheaper but it will help stave off foreclosures among those whose adjustable mortgages will now adjust a little bit less. Hopefully that will enable them to stay in their homes and reduce the inventory pressure on the market. If you would like to talk to me about the real estate situation in Cleveland or you are looking to buy or sell in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, or University Heights, call my voicemail at 216-348-3075 or visit my websites www.scotthaigh.com and www.realtyone.com/scott.haigh . Have a great week!!

Scott

HELP IS ON THE WAY.....

Some logical clear thinking has finally emerged from the fog of the sub-prime mortgage mess. Though I don't believe we are all the way there, at least some serious thinking has taken place about the cause and the solution of the credit crisis. What was encouraging about this article was the apparent shift in political thinking. Let's see what happens..... Enjoy...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/10/opinion/10mon1.html