If… there’s value in the story, The Book about Real Estate is a #1 Best Seller.

Economies need their major drivers.  My Mom would describe them as anchor tenants in a commercial mall, which relates to the size of the contribution in overall value making it easier to fill the mall with a variety of smaller stores.  The Real Estate market is one of those anchor tenants and 2012 was the year the fighter found enough solid ground to make its stand and cast its anchor.  A major driver in the World marketplace.

In motion, healthy and sustainable.  In action, energetic and vital creating a momentum forward.

If… I was to describe the character of Real Estate over the last several years, it would be as a prize fighter, well trained and talented, yet up against the ropes, weakened and in a very vulnerable position and through sure determination made strong enough to fight its way out of the corner and leave the ring victorious as a champion.

Today, less homeowners are behind on their loans and less are losing their homes to foreclosure.  Today,  refinancing to the low, low interest rates are getting easier for those well qualified as there have been more sales transactions in the last year to help appraisers find quality comparables.  Today, there are more short-sales getting approved much quicker than in the past.  Today, more owner-occupied homes are going on the market in a traditional type of sales process where pride in ownership has value to the consumer.  Today, New Home Construction starts are increasing and Builders are confident. Today, there is a momentum forward.

The champion does have an achilles heel, and the vulnerable heel of Real Estate is market financing.

We will blog on this topic a lot this year as we explore ways to articulate the value of real estate.

….Happy Saint Patricks Day March 17th, 2013!  ;}