If everyone were to believe what the media is saying about the current real estate market you would think all of us Realtors would be standing in line at the local soup kitchen. Hardly the case! In fact we are experiencing a great year in home sales and leases. Many of our agents are achieving double digit unit sales increases over 2010 and average sales prices appear to moving upward.

The media scribes and talking heads seem to get their information from high priced analysts who crunch data and invent theories that support their negativity. It is a classic blind leading the blind scenario. If they were to ask the people on the front line – the Realtors – they would hear a different story. But of course that would not sell papers or get viewers to watch. Let’s face it folks, bad news sells!

But don’t take my word for it. Here is what a few of my colleagues have to say.

“ We are having a great year. Through May, we have exceeded our unit sales for all of 2010.” – Dawne R., agent for 12 years

“ We are getting agent calls to check availability as soon as homes are listed. We even get offers before the homes are shown. I’m very busy. It’s like 2004.” - Nancy R., agent for 12 years

“ If you have a great home and it is priced right, we can sell it in less than 30 days.” - Margie D, agent for 15 years

“ I see what’s going on. I see multiple offers on listings and a shortage of inventory. In my opinion the media speak in generalities and have no personal knowledge of the market. “ – Sandra W, agent since 1994.

If you wanted information on how the battle is going would you ask the general sitting back in his big beautiful office or would you want to hear from the soldiers in the field getting shot at?

It ain’t all doom and gloom folks. Believe those of us on the front line.

Mike Ripinski