At Home in Indy: The Calm After the Storm~

Hi Paula,

Loved your analogy on this one. I would add our weather is a little unstable at this point. Sort of unpredictable I would say.

Paula:

That's an excellent analogy.  I recall the weird color and erie stillness of tornado calmness when I lived in Carmel and worked for C-21.  I hope you will soon see the storm's passage in Indy.  It is still questionable around here.

I love this comparison... it is so true... great read

Paula, watching that on t.v. it would be wonderful, but for people living there it would be awful, but I mean the natural tornador to appreciate it, it seems wonderful.

 

Paula, I think the storm is going to leave some devastation, but many positive effects.  Paring down the excess of agents who got into the field for a quick buck, making sellers realize that just because their house is "worth" such and such, doesn't mean that it will be tomorrow, making buyers realize that there is no guarantee of an interest rate south of 7%.  A needed injection of reality...painful? yes...Necessary?  probably!

More cautious....although the winds are stable but still moving as a slower pace. My decisions are cleaning up, regrouping, and get long neglected things done, and what needs to be done before another storm hits.

Great information Paula!  You broke down the real estate market with an easy to relate to situation for Hoosiers!

Paula, I love your analogy. It aptly applies, and I do feel there is more caution in the wind. Storms really make people know what is important both in life and in RE. We need a calming now after the last many years but it is harder on the sellers, who rode the wind in the "before the storm".

The rain makes everything more beautiful and clearer. Just like here on AR.

Hi, Paula- what a reminder.  When my daughter was little and the sirens would go off (Denver) she would get sooo upset.  And your description of the pre-tornado feel is right on the money- very eerie, odd sky, and no noise (the birds must have found a safe place).  We were lucky not to have an "aftermath"- I don't think that neighborhoods being leveled in Denver happened when I was there, but the photos I've seen of other mid west areas are just horrifying.  Thank you- hugging Andy when she was five, and scurrying to the basement with snacks ended up being a happy memory!

Great post and analogy!  Well written! This should be a featured post!  I really tink that a lot of agent still think  things will be back to normal in a few months.  That is not the case. I am one that does not see this as total disaster.  I think we are headed back to more normal markets that are driven by need instead of greed.  The problem is that there will be a lot less sales in that type of market. The key is to survive the storm and its aftermath.  Again great post!

What a great analogy.  That picture is amazing.  Our market is different right now...Still quite active

Interesting analogy!  I met someone the other day that has a home listed and is deciding to move forward and even purhase their next home without 1st selling.  It's been over a year since people I met were open to doing that.  (I'm not list or buy at this point.  I might get a chance at listing.)  So I am seeing that change.  On the same note, I am receiving a lot of contact from people wanting a short-sale.  That part is sad. . .  I hate to see people losing their home.  So it's hard for me to guage if things are getting better or worse.

Paula--From the comments, I don't know if people are taking your post literally or figuratively. Since it is about 60% figuratively, I will answer that way...The perfect real estate storm is not over for many parts of the country as the subprime mortgage market really hit hard at the beginning of the year. But there are always people who will have to move so markets are not at a standstill. Some people should remain in the storm shelters but those who have to venture out will cautiously. Good analogy!

Love your photo.  We've had lots of rain all spring early summer and now it is sunny and green.  But, the sun seems a strange creature after its long absence and I kind of miss the rain.  I'll have to see how it all plays out.

Great analogy!  We didn't really have a storm in the great Charlotte and Lake Norman...just a mist or drizzle as the rest of the country's down market had it's ripple effect on us.  We get lot's of people moving here from the midwest so let's hope your storm is over!

Paula, I should add: very beautiful analogy.  I got sidetracked thinking of my little five year old!

Paula, the comparison is beautiful and in our area people are still in their basements thinking the storm has not passed.

Paula - loved your analogy - here we'd have to say we've had a tidal wave of inventory leaving many in the wake. Great post - 

I grew up in Topeka, Kansas and love your metaphor!  

Excellent analogy!  I really like the detail you used, but especially the fact the we see and feel a positive attitude at the end.  I think you are right, the calm after the storm is here.  We have only up to go now...

Paula - LOL - at first I thought I'd missed a national disaster - good to know I didn't miss anything - we've been hit by the proverbial tornado here to - right now FL is #2 to Nevada for foreclosures l

 

Paula,

This post makes great use of analogy to get your point across.  It is very well written - as Jim Crawford said, worthy of being featured - I know I hit the little flag! 

Lynda: I can see where Orange County is still a bit unstable. I actually lived in Corona from 1998-2004 and watched it explode out there. My son still lives there and has told me about the homes just sitting on the market. Here in Indy, we did not have the huge increases in equity, plus we have the most affordable housing in the US.

Joan: Thanks for the compliment! It is definately eerie! Just as the real estate market has been for many areas.

Thesa: Thank You!

Ray: It's not much fun when you are in the middle of it, still, it is very cool to watch....

 

Chris: There has been some devestation throughtout areas of the country....here in Indy, we did not have as much. You are right, it is a needed adjustment in many ways.

Sally: Good for you, take advantage of the slow times to prepare for the next phase. I always seem a bit behind in getting a bit more organized.

Leah: Thank you! I hope they understand it! :) just not too personally......

Missy:  Definately some caution and reasonbly so! Storms do have a way of keeping us grounded. Although it is difficult for those caught in the storm, it could not continue..... I know you are facing your own storms this week and I have you and Allysa in my prayers.

AR is a great place and love your analogy! :)

Laurie:  I'm glad this conjured some beautiful memories for you. Funny how  that happens! When we least expect......a wonderful memory stops by and makes our day!

 

 

Here in Missouri we have our share of tornados in the last few years.  Just last month, I sat my husband on the back deck to watch for the tornado that never hit and I watched the front.  It passed over us, but sure gives an eerie feeling.

Jim: What a wonderful compliment, thank you! The funny thing about getting back to normal is, what happened in the industry the last several years was NOT normal. I am starting to see the "need" buyers out and it is refreshing. I am not one of 20 offers, we don't have to offer over asking price, my buyers can take more time making a decision. As long as buyers come out to play, we will soon have a more balanced market here. Survival is Key!

Stephanie:  I have heard many parts of Texas are enjoying a good market. Funny how it is different everywhere. I hope you are getting your share of the market!

The picture so perfectly reflects the weirdness of tornado season. It is really hard to explain.

Cynthia: Thank You! I also sold a home recently to sellers who bought before they sold. I received an offer today on their listing. We will certainly see our share of foreclosures, between the sub-prime fall-out and our crazy tax situation. I am starting to see more people through my website with more buyer inquiries and am showing more homes. I think we will have a better rebound than many since we did not have the high increase in property values many areas had. People are still cautious! But they are coming out!

Teri:  Let's say figuratively! :) There are many in the shelters and they should stay. I'm not sure about your area. Here, we did not have the high increases and we have the lowest property values in the nation.  We took our hits, just not as hard and now I see more people looking to buy, with caution. 

I am hopeful the trend will continue.

 

Tina:  Thanks, it is a cool picture. You are in a growing area.....are your property values holding?

Diane:  I have never been to your part of the country! I hear it is absolutely beautiful and you consistently have a market for second homes and retirement. I'm glad to hear you did feel the storms rage!

Mana - Thank you.....it is difficult for those who stay in the basement and either do nothing or pretend nothing has happened. Hope you see some action soon!

Cyndee - Thanks! Tidal wave, huh? That is something I know nothing about. I know your area is one of those which has had to deal with some very rapid increases and now the deflation.

Patricia - Thank you! Oh yeah, Kansas has more tornados than we do... so you perfectly understood my meaning......:)

Christina: Thank You! what a compliment! I do feel positive abut the market here. I really believe it is an excellent time to buy here. Up is the only way to go!

Jack:  No natural disasters! :) Every week it seems to change who is number one and we are all hoping it isn't us. Indiana had the number one spot for so long, we are happy to give it away.

 

Rita:  Thank you.....I sincerely appreciate the compliments I have received on this post. I find writing something worthy of good comments and compliments is reward enough!

Kay: I lived in Missouri for a while also. Tornados are very eerie, especially when you can see them from a distance and experience the calmness. Glad it passed you by!

Paula, great analogy and great photo.  Thanks for sharing.

 

Gary - Thank you and thanks for stopping by!

Paula, I know, don't get me wrong, I am just telling you that to watch that natural thing it is great, but it is not fun to be in the middle, good point :)

Ray Saenz

 

Paula...GREAT ANALOGY of the Indy Storms vs. our Stormy Market!!  You hit this target RIGHT ON!!! 

***I wish we knew how long to listen for the quiet before feeling safe to step out ourselves.***

Paula, good post, and I am hoping we are moving in the right direction once again.  Every time I think we are moving up a notch, something else hinders the process, property taxes did not send a good message here in our area.  People were stating as a matter of factly they could not afford the new tax assessment, and they were stuck as they could not sell either due to the taxation being so high on their homes.  Things will come around, and I think we are finally starting to see the light at the end of this long tunnel.