Well, first off, I don't know that I would call this a *Buyer's Market*, if the buyers cannot get loans. As you pointed out with all jobs being lost, it's a scary new world out here. I have read reports of how many agents have gone "inactive" because it is just too hard (read: impossible) to make a living now.

You don't say where you plan on being a real estate agent, and that can make a big difference.

There are real estate agents that do fine regardless of the market conditions. But you have to be well positioned not just to survive, but to actually thrive in a market like we have now.

Well positioned agents are probably going to be snatching up properties now. Also, aligning themselves with investors who are also buying properties. They may also be finding business source as a listing agent for REO properties. Another source of business is specializing in Short Sales.

If you are just starting out, unless you have a large base of potential clients (buyers or sellers) to be a source of business, you may find it slim pickings out here. You might want to see about joining a "team" where you would be getting a smaller commission cut, but getting valuable experience and some commission is better than nothing!

Then when the market comes back, you will be in a good position to excel.

You might want to research and interview with several successful local agents to see if now is the right time for you to quit your day job.

They are incapable of critical thinking.

What – can there be any other answer from a collection of angry screamers who get all their Talking Points from Fascist Demagogues like Glenn Beck – Draft Dodging Drug Addicts like Rush Limbaugh – - – and their Foreigner Overlord – Rupert Murdoch?

When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Casselberry Florida. What about you? We would love to get your feedback on this.

I expect to see a short term bounce in commodities, but with a longer down trend. Silver has gotten just stupid but there is likely a large ‘buy the dip’ contingent still.

An interesting article about the economic situation in the Fraser Valley and the real estate market there.

This madness is not going to stop until there is a plan to remedy the real estate market. There needs to be a solution to the real estate valuation problem in this country. It's not coming from the government officials that are corrupt and stupid, and the bankers know the answers but since they have the government subsidizing their balance sheets they aren't going to give the answer. It is just a slide that has no end at this point.

Isn't the current real estate market the worse in local memory? Is it reasonable to expect the Lot 5 sales to be better than every other area in Chapel Hill? It seems to be than the Greenbridge building is vying for the same customers as Lot 5, making it even more difficult.

The money for planning and preparation for the Lot 5 project has already been spent. Is there any harm in waiting to see how sales fare when the real estate market picks up?

I have a problem with people doing strategic foreclosures for ethical reasons, you signed up for an obligation and you now want to break that. With that being said, I will tell you why I think you should not do this from a factual stand point:

It is not illegal, let's get that out of the way. And they cannot take your other house away.

But you certainly will not be "safe".

There are very serious tax implications that you probably have not considered on this convenience foreclosure or short sale. I would strongly suggest you talk to a tax professional before you do anything.

Many lenders are looking into selling their bad paper to aggressive collection companies, and they will attempt to collect on these bad debts. Most jurisdictions allow lenders 10 years plus a 10 year extension to collect their money.

Of course, this convenience foreclosure is going to trash your credit and you will pay more for everything based on credit score. Car loans, credit cards, insurance, and perhaps miss employment opportunities. Expect this to be on your credit report for 7 – 10 years.

I know you are trying to justify this in your mind as the right thing to do, but there are very serious consequences that come along with this, you have a lot to consider.

Some foremost developers based in the region say it is becoming more and more complicated for them to sell flats at launch stage due to lack of interest from speculators. This reflects on the inherent demand structure in the real estate market.]]>