The outcome of our southern neighbour’s presidential election and Barack Obama’s victory has (and will continue to) inject a long-sought quality of optimism and faith in the future of not only this continent, but well beyond our shores.
Let us hope that negative media does not achieve what many cynically believe appears to be its goal of neutralizing that positive force. Regain your respected position in the world arena, American cousins! This same week highlighted Translink’s “honour system” for payment of fares and an opinion thereof by, strangely, a person seeking Vancouver City’s most significant municipal position. It saddens me to see the natural (?) “knee-jerk” reaction of so many being that “the honour system doesn’t work, so install New York type turnstiles at a cost of up to $120million”. Sad that this transit theft is accepted as “only to be expected”. Since we’re on the subject of “honour” (continuing from a topic I brought up in last month’s Update) I’d like to address the issue of an agent’s fiduciary responsibility. I take most seriously the key job of a Realtor to negotiate strongly for the buying client to achieve the lowest possible price and for the selling client to achieve the current market’s highest possible selling price. And, no, John, this is not a conflict of interest; it is merely the agent’s obligation to achieve the optimal outcome for his or her principal. This Realtor responsibility, I believe, goes further. We (Realtors) have an obligation to advise our clients who are considering selling, once we know their circumstances, whether it is in their best interest to do so now or seriously consider the option of not offering the property for sale at this time. Realtors need to guard against being seen as “collectors of listings”. Look below at the prevailing growth in inventory which will likely dictate lower selling prices for those competing for the minimal number of current buyers. Good news for potential buyers, I’m sure, but are our selling clients receiving this advice? Solicit this counsel from an experienced Realtor and then make your decision accordingly. Again, visit my website to see and “hear” the new developments. I continue my commitment to keep you…. www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca . This work in progress strives to be the “go to” site for North Shore Real Estate analysis and jumping off point for FULL market listing information. To join the group getting the e-mail version of this “update” - send a request now to
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and you’ll be assured receipt; phone me at (604) 988-7368 or visit www.OnTopOfTheMarket.ca Feel free to forward to a friend. Alan Alan Skinner
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