My friend sent me this picture yesterday. And, it immediately struck me.
What's the first thing you see in the picture?
The people or the houses...and lots of them?
At the peak of the real estate market in 2004-2005 houses were selling like hotcakes for over inflated prices.
The numbers of new realtors in the business double and tripled in many areas.
The number of mortgage companies multipled.
The number of appraisers increased.
The number of people that became real estate investors, overnight, grew immensely.
It became a market, where for many, it was all about the money. No one group can be held responsible for the financial hardship our country has been facing.
So many just wanted "a piece of the pie".
Were people's best interests put first?
Did people consider their own best interests?
Was it all about the houses back then and the money?
Perhaps, some should have stopped, and looked, real hard, to see the people first, and not the houses!
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores, Brevard County Real Estate
Melbourne Florida Real Estate News
that for you
I saw the houses first....does that mean I'm in trouble? j/k
Very interesting picutre, the first thing I noticed was the people.
I thought it was rediculous when I was in the middle of it all.... I didn't know it would be this bad...but I knew it couldn't continue.. :)
I sa the people dirst. Actually I saw the guy on top playing the guitar-than I saw the people.
The houses eventually blend into peoples faces as the rows go farther back. People wern't first, houses were. That about says it all.
I saw the guy playing guitar, then the houses, and then much later the people (to be honest I had to go back and look at the pic a 2nd time to see the people).
The larger question is really one of human nature. People will hold their own self-interest above that of others. The real estate industry swells like any other when it is in a growth phase. People saw the real estate industry as a way to make a quick buck. The entrepreneurs came in first and then by time HGTV had a show about flipping houses the smart money was out of the game. Unfortunately the risk averse, who want everything to be right, jumped in about then but were too late to the party and all the cake was gone.
We are now in the trough between booms (yes there will be another. I don't know when but it will happen) and there will be a contraction in the industry. Some will move on to other ventures, some will talk about the good time that were, and others will use this time to prepare and get ready for when things turn around. The question to ask is which group will you be in? There is no wrong answer, it is just a matter of deciding what you want out of life and where and how are you going to get it.
I saw the guy on the roof first -- then the houses -- and then the people -- Unfortunately, in my area, some clients told me lenders they went to were less that upfront.
Good Morning Sandy!! That is an interesting picture.. I saw the guy playing to the people...houses? Oh yeah, saw those later! As for the rest... Hindsight is always 20/20
Sandy, interesting picture and blog. I will admit that I saw the people first, possibly because my computer opened the picture from the top to the bottom. It is interesting in that we need to remember that it is about people, and not us, that is the basis for our business success.
What an interesting post! Mmmm...am mulling this.
Hey, Sandy. Very good post, I noticed the people first. As I have always and I am sure my clients and friends could tell you. Thanks, Jim
Hi Sandy - I saw the person first. There were so many houses in the picture that they didn't come into focus right away. The focal point here is the person who is standing in contrast to the numerous houses of the same color in this picture.
Sandy: I actually noticed the guy playing the guitar first. Sorry. It's the rock 'n' roll inside me.
Wow Sandy, that is really deep. Now I kind of sorry that I was part of the insanity of 2005...
Sandy,
Some should have thought about the people before the money...then maybe we would not have the issues we now face. Sellers are still thinking they can get the inflated prices of the past...and buyers are listening to the media thinking they can get houses for rediculously low prices..
Get real people...you must put your head into THIS market!
Ann Hayden in freezing Wildwood, Missouri
Well, being omniscient, I saw it all at the same time. Now, if you believe that, I have some Florida swamp for sale. :-D
Too much blame to pass around. I take my share, I just get really tired of the politicians refusing to take theirs.
Hi Sandy,
Funny - I saw the people first - though a lot of times I think I love houses more than people - just kidding! Really neat illustration.
Liz
PS - I know you've heard it a million times but you have the most amazing name especially consdering where you're located. Perfect!
I saw the people - then immediately with a blink saw the houses. Each time I blinked the houses and people interchanged! But heck, life is always like that for me:-)
I can't wait to pass this around the office tomorrow. Honestly on first glance I saw the houses but the people started jumping out at me real quick especially after I started looking towards the back of the photo. Now I can see both clearly. Very interesting picture thanks for sharing.
Excellent post Sandy. I do see the people, in the picture and in the business. I am beginning to see some agents get weeded out in my area. A few more need to go though. Upsets me to see folks getting the shaft over the mighty dollar.
I saw the kangaroo.......oh oh.
Hey, its not black and white. Sometimes money was put first, sometimes people. If someone wanted to buy a home for their family, and prices are so high, but some guy says he will give you the loan, the buyer probably took a chance he/she should not have.
Some lenders saw money and nothing else, but maybe saw a way of helping someone realize a dream.
Hi Marc, I don't know if that's bad or good.
Steven, Interesting how we all see different things first.
Konnie, I don't think any of us knew how bad it was going to get. But I agree, we knew it couldn't continue.
Cindy, The guy on the roof with the guitar certainly stands out.
Michael, I like the way you said that, people weren't first, houses were, the houses blended into people's faces.
Hi Christopher, You said it beautifully - I absolutely love your perception - so very true!
Hi Joan, Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are doing well.
Hey Miss Mary, You are so wise...Hindsight is 20/20!
Tony and Darcy, People are the foundation of our business success.
Hi Li, It is an interesting picture.
Jim & Maria, Great to hear that people are always first in your book!
Jon, It takes a moment to really see what is in the picture.
Hi Tony, I bet it reminded you of your favorite, the Red Rocker, Sammie Hagar! Didn't it?
Hi Paul, I certainly didn't want to make you feel bad. In 2005 there were people from many different industries that knowingly took advantage of homebuyers. However, I know many, many homebuyers and investors that knowingly shot themselves right in the foot also.
Hi Ann, I agree, buyers and sellers must stop listening to the media, and use their head - so true!
Hi Fred, Florida swamp land, well I also know where there's plenty of that...LOL. I think everyone should take responsibility, including the government!
Hi Elizabeth, Thanks tons! I never get tired of hearing it - Sandy Shores - and I sell real estate on the beach? Great huh? I married into it.
Myrl, I think it's interesting that you indicated that the people and the houses interchanged in the picture. I think that describes the market perfectly in 2005.
Hi Justin, It's always fun to have things we can share with our friends and this is a great one especially for realtors. Let me know what the people in the office see.
Tammy, I hate seeing money before people also. But for some it's the way of the world!
Brien, I like your perspective. I think you hit the nail on the head- it's not black and white!
What a great picture not to mention the point. Thanks for sharing and send any others you may find.
Shelton
Sandy, the first thing I saw was the blue sky and those clouds. Then I noticed there were no for sale signs on any of those houses. Actually this is a really interesting photo.
Hi Allen, It is quite the picture, isn't it? A picture speaks volumes, doesn't it?
Rich, Wow, you're good! I didn't even notice the clouds at all! And I didn't notice that there were no for sale signs on the houses either -shame on me!