What the Economists Are Missing in the Real Estate Market

If you have been following the news, you know the economy is getting better, unemployment rates are improving ever so slightly, consumers are spending a bit more while not going overboard and consumer confidence is improving. And you are hearing many point out that the above factors are having an impact on housing. How much? A lot according to economists and those who study such things. But I noticed something yesterday that I find quite interesting.

What's missing from economists view of real estate?

If you have been following the news, you know the economy is getting better, unemployment rates are improving ever so slightly, consumers are spending a bit more while not going overboard and consumer confidence is improving.

And you are hearing many point out that the above factors are having an impact on housing. How much? A lot according to economists and those who study such things. But I noticed something yesterday that I find quite interesting.

I had the opportunity to visit Mississagua, Ontario, for the 2012 Coldwell Banker Broker Retreat and Economic Summit. Not the sexiest name I know, but still a pretty interesting event. The day started with a panel of four of the top economist in Canada speaking about the country’s economy and housing market.

Not only did I survive the session and avalanche of charts, but I actually liked it. Learned more than I ever did including how what’s happening in “Euroland” has an impact on the U.S. and Canadian economies. What global factors impact mortgage rates and how natural resources are keeping the Canadian economy strong as emerging markets and China have a strong demand. For almost two hours, the economists shared a ton in a way we could all understand.

But they did not talk about human nature. Nor emotion. Nor life events. The true reasons why people buy and sell homes.

I doubt there is anyone around who is weighing the decision to buy or sell today based on decisions the Italian or Greek government is making today. But clearly as economists study their potential ramifications and journalists cover that and other economic trends, let’s take it with a grain of salt.

No chart, number, stat or theory matters. We each have our own value system that is more important. And how each of us reacts in buying and selling a home is what really should be talked about.

It’s time for the numbers people to take a backseat to those of us defined by more than charts and graphs.

 

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Giving for Coldwell Banker. Grew up in Sarasota and attended college at Western Carolina University. Athena wanted to wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep so headed to Madison Avenue to start her marketing career. She has been with this awesome brand for more than 15 years and can be found generating buzz about CB in every way possible. Athena helps to grow the brand’s position as the most storied real estate company within the industry and has led many high-profile endeavors; she was at the forefront of the brand’s pioneering smart home campaign, raised $6 million in two years to build 130 Habitat for Humanity homes, and led the Homes for Dogs program in partnership with Adopt-a-Pet.com that resulted in tens-of-thousands of dogs finding their furever home. She currently leads the CB Supports St. Jude program, which encourages the Coldwell Banker network’s 96,000+ real estate agents to make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for every real estate transaction they represent. In her spare time, you can find her either digging up a new area in her yard for another flower bed or planning her next travel adventure. She's the proud mom of three cats Jolene, Ziggy and Lucy.

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1 Comment

  1. Allen Henderson
    May 2, 2012

    The economist are correct in the fact global happenings do impact our markets; however, the individual needs of home buyers and home sellers will ultimately drive our markets unless the global and national events price them out of the housing market or scare them away. There is a lot of pent up demand from four to five years of real estate market turbulence in our area. Interest rates are low, Active listing inventories are low. Pent up demand is high. Basic Economics 101 dictates that this is a perfect storm for sustainable, dramatic, price increases………………barring a major national or international disruption. Did I mention the dismal performance of our lending institutions in getting us into and very slowly out of the real estate market collapse? The banks are always a wild card and our potential nemesis!

    Reply

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