Mortality, Change, and the Market

Riverview Cemetery

I drive past the Riverview Cemetery on Taylor’s Ferry Road several times a week.  Several of my great, greats are buried there, I always think of them, the Langworthys and Fosses. I’ve looked for and found their grave sites.

It is only recently that I’ve thought about mortality as I pass Riverview. My mortality to some extent, since I haven’t decided where I want my ashes scatered, or stored!  But also mortality in the sense of change since change is a kind of death.  One thing ends, becomes something else, shifts, modulates or crashes.   I’ve been rediscovering how hard it is to let go of the old story, the what used to be.

Change- Quarters, Nickles, Dimes

The reluctance to change, deal with new realities comes in many forms.

And while I resonate with the closing lines of the Dylan Thomas poem, “do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light”, I’ve learned there are times to let go, to accept the death as part of the story.

I know that change is scary, just as death can be. I’ve heard my own reluctance to accept change in my little inner voice that complains about current conditions, or something else that is out of my control.

I’ve heard it from the seller who is thinking in terms of last year’s market, or even more problematic, 18 months ago. Who is saying, I know it is worth more than THAT!  I’ve heard it from some fearful buyers who thought the wild ride would be there when they were ready to purchase.  They express concern that maybe we aren’t at the bottom, that there won’t be appreciation in the house they buy. I’ve heard it from other agents in a variety of ways, and I’m sure you have too.

A Pair of Dimes!

Just as hospice and care can ease the passing to the biggest change, easing this change, the passage to this market is part of our role.   

I’m being more explicit with sellers, giving lots of statistics and graphs, talking current market realities, and reminding them that they may be getting less than they thought perhaps, but they are also going to pay less for their next home. And I’m providing care and comfort.

I’m spending some time handholding with a few first time buyers.  I’m even more consistent in my education about current market values and historically low interest rates.  I’m reminding them about the appreciation trends over time, and real estate as a long term investment.  I’m saying the market has a future, and now is a great time to buy!

The market has changed.  The old market is dead!  Long live the market! 

It’s a market with incredible opportunities.