The front page of the Bellingham Herald's business section today has a huge headline stating "Existing-home sales fall in 41 States" and an article below says "Zillow reports county housing prices down". It's all doom and gloom in the press! Sure, the lending industry fall-out is effecting us. Absolutely, interest rates are rising. And, of course, we are not maintaining a 20%/year home value increases. But, really, after the boom of 2005, did anyone EXPECT us to maintain that sort of housing energy?! Imagine if we continued to grow at that rate - pretty soon, no one would be able to afford a home if they didn't already own one! It's not all doom and gloom - it's reality - it's the ebb and tide of the market. This "downturn" is no more permanent than the "boom" of two years past. I get a kick out of all of these articles written by "experts" when, what it comes down to, is the age old question - "Is your glass half-empty or is it half-full?" If it is half full, then right now you might be saying, "Phew - homes are staying relatively affordable" or "What a GREAT time to be a BUYER!" and "The lending industry has learned a tough lesson and we, hopefully will be protected from this happening again" or if you are a current home owner in a good home with a good mortgage, you might say "Wow - I'm so glad this news doesn't apply to ME". But as a realtor, as someone who makes a living buying and selling HOMES, I don't care about the market in any way other than how if affects my clients! I am still working for REAL people in REAL homes with REAL concerns no matter what the "experts" say. "Buyer's Market" "Seller's Market" "Robust Economy" "Downturned Economy" - well, gosh, if that's your only lingo, you are losing sight of PEOPLE, of DREAMS, of GOALS. In the end, our LiveGoodBeHappy team is about servicing people, no matter the status of the market.

Live Good. Be Happy.
-Emily Cross

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