RENO BUYERS: BEWARE OF this COMMON ADVICE--"BUY NOW, WHILE IT'S LOW"

We've all heard it before.

"Buy now.  Buy while home prices in Reno-Sparks are low."

This statement, that we real estate agents love to preach, is perhaps the number one cause why we have lost much of the people's trust.  I mean, it's not that bad really-- we're top three in the least trusted professionals, right below car dealers.  And I desperately want to get out of that list.

Back in early 2007, I heard and read two top real estate "Who's WHo" based here in Reno, emphatically declare that "the Reno-Sparks real estate market will bottom soon."

Basic research contradicts this.

Now, I criticize us not to belittle, but to challenge myself; to challenge my industry.  We have the greatest job on earth and it's a shame when we talk like clueless Pollyannas. 

So how do we know what to believe and what to throw in the garbage bin?Go ask the market.  It's that simple.  It ain't rocket science.  Common sense plays the biggest role.  And basic research will lead us to greener pastures. 

"Joe, Does it mean that we're always going to get it right when we do these things?" No.  But you will be ten miles ahead of the pack. That's a personal promise.