CQW "Full Disclosure"

2009-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Spring?? Not quite yet...As we look out the window of the office, it appears to be the beginning of the end, but according to the National Weather Service, it is not to be! Luckily, I still love winter and am ready for round #2!

We are noticing the spring market activity on the upswing. With the great new tax incentives included in the stimulus plan, first time homebuyers should be jumping at the chance to purchase - which should, in turn, allow others to move up, down or sideways!

We have many homes on the market to choose from - visit our listings from our homepage link. We are also hosting a wonderful new construction home during the Parade of Homes - Spring Preview beginning this weekend and continuing Thursdays - Sundays until March 22. We will be at 5108 Harvest Curve, Mayer in the "Just Right" home from 12-7 each day! Please visit us - we would love to see you!

And, BRING ON THE SNOW (It never lasts long anyway....)

2009-02-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

Interesting article with some food for thought...perhaps if everyone starting thinking "for themselves".....think of the possibilities! Enjoy the article and let us know how we can help you with all your real estate needs! -CQW

Have We All Lost The Ability to Think For Ourselves?
Published on Friday, January 23, 2009, 9:06 AM Last Update: 15 hour(s) ago by Randy Eagar
Tags: economy housing foreclosure unemployment government
Every time I read the paper or listen to the news, I get mad. Really mad. In the last 30 days, the New York Times published the following headlines:
“Plunging Housing Markets . . . Down Again”
“Home Prices Suffer Record Monthly Drop”
“Bank Closures at All Time High in 2008”
“Credit Crisis Waves Roll On”“Growing Market in Foreclosures”
“Foreclosure Rates Show No Sign of Slowing”
“States Unemployment Funds Run Low”
And the bad news goes on and on, causing panic and fear until we become our own worst self-fulfilling prophecy. Here’s my beef. It's media hype. No it's worse than media hype. It's a vast media distortion, used to sensationalize and sell the news. It's not the first time the media has done this, but now it has hit close to home. Close to your home, close to your client's home and your livelihood. The result is that the American homebuyer is naively buying the lie and hesitating to buy that home they need.
Another beef I have is that perhaps even a few of you Realtors reading this artilce have been sitting in your own family rooms reading and watching those headlines, and you've believed the hype yourselves.
Why? Because, like me and everyone else who reads the papers, watches it on the TV and hears it on the radio, we think that just because the mainstream media says it, then, by golly, it's gotta be true. Pundits know that if they repeat anything long enough, people believe it.
Well I’ve got a few surprising facts here that were shared in a speech given by my good friend Utah Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert. He and I worked together years ago to establish the Utah Chapter of the Council of Residential Specialists. OK, here's what he shared with us:

“Bank Closures at an All Time High in 2008”. Hogwash!
In 1989 there were 1,004 bank closures.
In 2008 there were 30 bank closures
On average there are 94 bank closures per year

“Foreclosure Rates Show No Sign of Slowing”. Baloney!
During the Great Depression Foreclosure Rates were 50%
Nationally today our Foreclosure Rates are 3% (1.4% in Utah)

“States Unemployment Funds Run Low”. Ridiculous!
During the Great Depression Unemployment ran at 25%
Nationally today our Unemployment is 7.2%

As Realtors, I challenge you to join me in confronting the main stream media in your own locations. Spread this information on your blogs, and in all your social networking. It's the real truth. It's not hype.
I say let’s fight back and take back the one industry that is at the heart of the American Dream -- the Real Estate Industry -- and bring this whole mess, this nation and the world back from chaos. The one best weapon that you have at your disposal is the truth!
Are times right now bad? Yes. Do we have a shaky market? Yes. But FDR's famous statement applies: "The only thing we need to fear is fear itself." It's time to start looking at our glass as 93% full rather than 7% empty.
We need to look at putting 15-20% down payment and say what’s wrong with that? That's been a standard in real estate for years - a safe standard. We need to look at qualifying procedures and make sure that we are selling homes to people who can afford them. We are the grass roots of the economy, and we can make a difference. We can take it back. All we need to do is to tell our buyers and sellers the truth about what is going on and stop the panic. If there is insanity going on it is in the pundits that look for all the bad news to make sensationalism sell their message.
Our message should be: "America is good. America is strong. America is proud!"

A POSITIVE NOTE ON HOUSING - FINALLY!

2009-01-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

As we usher in a new year with many exciting changes coming for our country, we remain diligent in providing our clients with exceptional service second to none. We are thankful for the business we have received and look forward to serving you and your family, friends and collegues in 2009! Your referrals are the highest form of compliment we receive - know that they will be treated with the same professional level you have come to expect from CQW Real Estate!

We know it, now it is time for the media to get the word out...housing is very affordable and interest rates are at an all time low! Follow the link below to a great report...then give us a call to discuss your real estate wishes for the upcoming year!

URL=http://wcco.com/consumer/metro.housing.market.2.908738.html

Happy Fall - Welcome Winter!

2008-11-05T18:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to CQW Real Estate "Full Disclosure" Blog Site! Follow our adventures in real estate and life.

Lynda and family have been enjoying the wonderful fall weather - unbelievable and a very welcome extension of summer! Halloween found us "partying" with some celebs...The 3 Amigos and Sarah Palin!

I know not everyone is doing a daily snow dance as I am, but I am certain all my snow-loving friends will soon be joining me. With miles of expertly groomed trails over the river (drainage ditch) and through the woods waiting for action, I can't wait to see some flakes flying. The trail boss has been doing some maintenance and is poised to get the WNC (Wachholz Nordic Center) open for business. Please join us this winter out on the trails!

Not all is quiet on the real estate front! Contrary to popular belief, it is very possible to get a mortgage to buy that new home! And the market has made very positive adjustments in pricing, making for some incredible values. If you are even just considering a move, we are happy to thoroughly discuss the possibilities to assist you in your decision.

Send us a note at cqw@cbburnet.com - we'd love to hear from you!