As I began my day today, I turned on one of my favorite national news channels, and watched the various broadcasts about the presidential inaugural activities, as well as the many community service initiatives surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King. It got me about how much this country has evolved, and how it truly IS the land of opportunity. Sure, we still have a ways to go, but we must give credit where credit is due...America, we've come a long way baby!
As I sat at my computer and thought about what "Monday Motivation" I'd write today, the quote below intrigued me. It has an inspirational quality that anyone could relate to, and the words "bricks and mortar" gave it somewhat of a real estate-esque quality. It goes...
"Your own words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to realize. Your words are the greatest power you have. The words you choose and the use establish the life you experience."
by Sonia Croquette
- As Realtors the words that we communicate to buyers and sellers are like the poured concrete foundation or bricks and mortar of the dreams consumers want to see come to fruition. With this responsibility, it is important that we choose our words carefully. We have people who are trusting us to show them the way to financial stability via home ownership. We must always be upfront with our clients by telling them the truth about the state of the real estate market (whether good or bad). However, as the ambassadors of home ownership and the gatekeepers of the American Dream, we must also be the pillars of optimism and enthusiasm for the opportunities that are available in real estate. Consumer confidence in the housing market starts with US!
The words the media uses to tell the story of the state of the housing market is like the roof or covering of the buyers and sellers dreams. If the words of conscientious and forthright real estate professionals lays a solid foundation for consumers, it's all in vain if at the sight of rain or mighty winds the powerful words of the "media" come crashing down like loose shingles on a damaged roof.
It doesn't matter how sturdy the brick & mortor or concrete founddation are; if the house has no roof, it's not inhabitable. Of course the media has an obligation to tell viewers, readers and listeners about the serious challenges our country faces. However, the information disseminated needs to be accurate.
"Fair & balanced" isn't something you see on a t-shirt or just some tagline from a major network; it should be a standard that WE all should be held to.
Scaring responsible, credit-worthy people and making them afraid to purchase based on the mistakes or setbacks of some, is not only unfair, it's irresponsible.
Information should be crafted to fit each particular area of the country. Sales of real estate in Freehold, NJ, Manalapan, NJ and Marlboro, NJ, may not be the same as home sales in Manalapan, FL or Marlboro County SC. We are not a one-size-fits-all country and that goes for real estate as well.
Amplified by the enormous reach of TV, radio and the Internet, our words can start and end wars, change the housing market, the economy and have a profound effect on our world at large.
Never forget...WE THE PEOPLE harness the power and resources to realize the dream of FREEDOM from our country's current economic strife. Getting America back on track will take ALL hands on deck. We can fully maximize on the platforms we've been empowered with (blogging, authoring, publishing, podcasting, broadcasting) by choosing our words carefully and establishing the realities we want to see and experience!
Stay positive & motivated,
Amber
Weichert, Realtors (Marlboro office)
455 Route 9 South
Manalapan, NJ 07726
917-723-5645 - cell
732-536-4400, ext 199 - office
