Decline in Real Estate

[jdirgo]

Actually, my bottom line is not really affected much by what direction the market is moving. From what I've seen, the buyers are not scared off by whatever prices are doing in individual areas. They buy because the house or land meets their needs. While real estate can be an investment for some people, for most people its having a home they love and can build equity in. My bottom line is far more affected by the quality of service I give, not the directions prices take. Good professionals, whether its real estate, construction, stockbrokers or whatever make money no matter the direction of the market for the commodity.

As for my investment properties, I have a very long term perspective. For example, I have investments in Kapoho. I have no doubt that, in the long term, nearly oceanfront property in walking distance to some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii will prove to be a good investment. But that wasn't the main reason I bought them -- I bought them because eventually I want to live there. It was an emotional decision first, and only then did I realize it was smart from an investment perspective.

All that being said, I don't really care which direction prices move. I truly don't. I just hope that the clients I've had in the past are still as happy with what they bought as they were the day they bought it. Most of them that I've spoken with recently are still just as happy and are glad they did what they did.

John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
Island Trust Properties, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.hawaiirealproperty.com