The Cold Side of The Real Estate Market

Good morning Chicago! It's 17 degrees and we are expecting snow today. Hello winter. It is, after all mid December. It is the holiday season and a time when most are in a frenzy of preparation. Are you shopping with the same budget this year as last? Probably not, I know I am not spending. My kids are adults and they get it. What I am wondering is, what is the best way to share our holiday tradition this year and not have it focused on gift exchanges?
With that question stated, here's my next question. Real estate activity is always slow in December. Only super serious shoppers are looking for a new home in December. So, if you are thinking of buying or selling, are you in the market or are you waiting? My favorite clients contacted me yesterday to ask about a new listing in their building. They are thinking about making an offer based on their perception of the market. They are basing their decision to act on the message that all of the real estate experts are sending. It's a buyer's market! So, for them, why wait until more buyers and sellers appear on the scene in late January? Why not approach this seller right now. Of course, their offer will be really low. Again, their perception of the market tells them that this is what a savvy buyer should be doing. I wonder how they will react when a buyer approaches them with that truly low,low bid to buy their current home. It is a give and take venture. You take from the seller, your buyer will want to take from you.
Back to the opening question. If you gather together with your loved ones for the holidays, can you have a wonderful time without maxing out credit cards? Here is what my family has decided to do this year. Each of us will offer a service that we can perform, at no or very little expense, for a family member. We will draw names to be sure that everyone gets the opportunity to give and to take.
Can buyers who are also sellers get to a place of understanding that in this market you may win some on the buy side and lose some on the sale side, but ultimately, you get what you want. They both have something the other side values. Find a way to make each other happy.