I can't agree with you more!  I always feel the media has the power to change this market 100%.  The newspapers have been hurting for a long time since the internet and do as much as they can to increase readership.  Ratings on all of the networds to pay for advertisers do the same.  It gets worse by the day.

The media feeds on negative energy if it wasn't for negative news they would be out of a job.  Whenever a client brings up any negative housing news I just remind them that all the big real estate voices like Donald Trump say that this is the time to buy.

Aloha Christopher and Stephanie,

Right on!!! The fact of the matter is that BAD NEWS sells papers and gets people to watch the news on TV.  The other day I heard (on TV) financial adviser telling people if they needed their money in the next five years that they should sell their stocks TODAY!!!  In the middle of a panic on Wall Street I hear these people fanning the flames of panic.  I agree with Justin, we need Donald Trump to tell them that now is the time to buy.

It seems like the media in a lot of ways is making this worse. so we have to gag them with our wallets and email their sponsors and tell them we do not want to buy from people who sponsor people who take away our living

I had two inquiries from two separate clients this week, both wondering if money was even still being lended out at this point.  They had 'heard stuff'.   Both folks thought lending dried up completely.  Part of me wanted to tell them that they should stop buying papers and cancel their cable bill and take that money and save it to start buying Real Estate in cash.

Janet - agreed.  I wish people can see through it.  Fear and greed on the pendelum - the media pushing it hard either way... it makes me sick to my stoumach.

Justin - The negative energy affects us in many ways.  It can even drown out the voice of reason and even the voice of Donald Trump and Warren Buffett.

I totally agree. Not only the media and DJ but also all the lobbyist.

Bill - I hear you !  That is just an awful recommendation and yes, these pundits add a lot of fuel to the fire.  I of course have too much faith that consumers can see through the bullcr** but am not so sure anymore.  Especially when it is innudated on tv, on the net, radio, newspapers...etc

Charles - Sounds like a good idea to me !

I too think the media thrives on anything negative--sometimes I believe their intent is to frighten people even more then they already ARE.  I turn it off, I can't listen to it much anymore--just enough so I know what's happening.

Jason - I hear you.  I have had that same question be asked to me by almost daily.  I had a potential seller (who Im meeting tomorrow) call me today and ask me if buyers can still get loans at all and if it was worth him putting the property on the market ?  There is a lot of fear out there !

Huiting - totally agree.  The spin that a lot of the politicians and the media as well as the lobbyists behind them is a powerful machine.  How come no one is really talking about the Community Reinvestment Program or the Acorn projects sponsored by the democrats for affordable housing ?

Carole - Is good that you turn it off sometimes too.  Fright and fear sell and are good for ratings.  Is a joke... what is horrible is that it is hurting our economy more unneccearily due to the excess "fear" !

The media influnce on the market is too much, alot of this mess I do blame on them----Bart

The media says therefore must be true. It just shows the power or should I say the dumbing down of America. Remember when they printed that a person won the presidency and it was the other guy, I believe it was IKE. Anyway just shows.

Christopher,

Thanks for the post. I would agree that the media needs to present a more balance format. All too often they respond to snippets from one side of the aisle and it usually is the doom and gloom side, as though there is only one side to a coin. They do they viewing public a disservice by not presenting the entire story.

Bart - you got that right !

Joyce - Great point... it really is AMAZING... and SCARY to know that the media has that much power, control and influence.

William - Correct !  There is a HUGE disservice being done - I think NAR should make sure they get in the public's eye more.

I'd love to gag the media....I am really tired of listening to all the doom and gloom

It would be nice to see more balanced reporting.  I think NAR is asleep at the wheel.  We have PR and commuications committees - and I just got my dues bill -- and it is really high!  For the past few years we have been paying a surcharge for more Realtor image campaign -- I think it's time for NAR to get some coverage into the press!

NAR has some very good commercials-public service announcements that relate directly to our markets....but they are a little "tame"...maybe something "noisier" that would not blend in with other commercials...

Here is a link, where you can see their strategy, give feedback, and view the actual announcements:

http://www.realtor.org/pac.nsf/pages/pachome?OpenDocument&LID=RONav0008

Everyone - I've been thinking the same thing for some time now!  In fact, I just blogged about this same thing myself last night (Depressed state of mind?)!  The "Drive by media" is not going to present both sides of anything fairly!  They seem to have their own agenda and present stories biased in the fashion they feel advances it the most.  + as always who can resist stopping and staring at a train wreck?  We need to keep positive, get the word out however we can, put pressure on our congresspeople and yes NAR too to help educate and change the mob mentality going on out there!

Christopher and Stephanie -- The media makes almost everything worse, including our lives.

I totally know what you mean! I wrote a blog about this subject last week, and the week before, etc.. It never ceases to amaze me how the media portrays the marketplace and in reality how it is and how much our clients are influenced by it. I have clients all the time telling me they heard they can't get a loan, the homes will never be a good investment again, etc.. It's really crazy.

That's why it's our job to educate our buyers and sellers and get them off the media bandwagon. They are never going to know the real story of their market if they continue to listen to the news. Have classes, write blogs, mail info packets, whatever you can to get the real real estate market news out there!!

Thanks for sharing and keep up the good fight!

Kind Regards, Nicole Weidauer

The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle

You have hit my nerve, for sure!  I just posted a rant this week about all of the goings on right now. I was home sick for 3 days, and was watching far too much news.  No more for me, I'll tell you!  Yes, times are tough, but the negativity in the media only feeds the fire, instead of focusing on what great opportunities are available right now. 

NAR needs to get a much louder voice, to be heard right now.  Let's hope for a speedy recovery from the mess we are all in!  Now, I"m off to read, or watch a tivo'd comedy. Anything other than the news, lol. 

The media is bad, no doubt.

About the only thing that is more harmful is when NAR speaks. 

• "It's time to buy".
• "Real estate is a good investment."

Folks will buy when they need a home.  Wait until Spring. 

Wait.  I think I said that last Spring.

As i've said. Journalism is dead in 2008. Every reporter has bias now and all of them are in it for political gain or for ratings. It's free speech at it's worst. They have up to this point not once mentioned the fact that the market has done far worse in years past even going back only 5-6 years to 2002,2003. They want to panic the public to get them to watch their biased news coverage that interjects their political candidates viewpoint on the matter in every segment. The media has completely taken the housing market's true condition out of context. Market's are bad yes, but down only a few perecentage points compared to last year in most areas and home values certainly haven't dropped more than 20% in most either or even close to it. But this is what we get when we let owners of companies who have contributed wholly towards one specific campaign candidate run the shows. There needs to be more neutrality on tv but without any real regulation other than what the democrats have imposed on radio (to gag republicans), it won't happen.

The media is running this country. Don't let them fool you. They 100% influence every single decision in our lives. Their news stories force others to speak up one way or another. They leaked massive reports during the early months of the iraq war citing where and when we were attacking putting the troops in jeapordy. They even forced the president to report their intelligence program to them stopping the government's ability to spy on could be terrorists. When you give one group in society this much power it's never good for any of us. Imagine the news media ran by a group of terrorists (under cover) and the damage they could do with their news stories. It's out of control. 

Unfortunately, if it bleeds it leads. Even in our local paper when real estate news is bad, front page. Recently our median sales price went up a fraction, page seven.

I'd contribute to that campaign! Whoever our PR company is for NAR they need to be pressed a bit to do a better job!

I agree 100% with you.  The Media has the ability to make a catastrophe into a cataclysmic event.  They reach millions in seconds and can change peoples lives by what is said or not said.  Too many believe what they read or see on TV as gospel.  They forget that a human is either writing it or saying it and therefore it can be slanted.

For example, several years ago, before we went into Iraq, Gen.Colin Powell was on the news and a satellite broadcast was shown of a 10mile truck caravan leaving Iraq toward Syria.  During the broadcast it was said that the caravan could be removing weapons of mass destruction to Syria.  I saw this broadcast twice and then never again.  i know I wasn't imagining this because others saw it too.  This was when Saadam was fighting the UN inspectors from coming in and we (the US) were trying to do things in a democratic way, through talking.  I was not surprised that nothing was found when weeks later we did go in to find nothing.  What ever happened with this broadcast, where is it now?  Hidden I am sure.  Don't show something that could make our decision to go in correct. 

I personally subscribe to The Economist, it is a magazine written and produced in England.  Probably the most factual and middle of the road information you can get.  It doesn't take sides, it tells it like it is and it makes you think.  Unlike our media that is either "right" or "left".

Back many years ago, in Chicago at the Democrat Convention, When Daley, Sr. was the Mayor, Chicago police went into the crowds of demonstrators and night sticked, beat, and plundered demonstrators who were against the Vietnam War.  My own father said it was trick camera work. I was appauled and knew better because friends had been present during the maylay. People believe what they want to believe, or what they can accept.

As far as NAR, they have been running ads throughout the US showing how a Realtor is a professional, someone a buyer/seller should turn to for guidance.  They have tried to dispell the myths about us being "used car salesmen" and worse.  I don't think they take it far enough, the ad that says we are held to a "Code of Ethics" doesn't teach the public that there are real estate agents that are NOT Realtors and are not held to the higher standard that a Realtor is held to.  I realize that these time slots are very costly and a 30 second air time slot limits what can be said.  But, I think the general public has to know who we are and what standards we are held to.  Also, they do put out news, daily, the said part is that the general public does not realize that the local newspapers do not, and choose not to publish what is submitted to them.  If it doesn't fall into the way of thinking they do not have to report it. 

If we as the public, not as Realtors, would complain to our media that we are sick and tired of not hearing more from the largest National Voice for Real Estate in the World, we will not subscribe or buy their papers, then we will get results.  Maybe not from all the papers, but some will take notice.

Here is where local Realtors could make an impact in their own communities.  Local papers look for local news reporters, why not volunteer?  Yes, it means staying on top of the industry, especially locally. Yes, it means attending local zoning board meetings, or country legislative meetings, but you would be reporting facts and probably making people aware of items that impact them as private property owners, that no one else is reporting on.  Just a thought, let me know what you think.

Sorry to ramble on...but I am involved in my local, state and the National Association of Realtors, I sit on committees, Chair some and I am vocal!  We need more help....call me if you'd like to get involved and I'll tell you how you can help get the truth out.

We can have a say with our pocket book by not advertising in the media that promote the one sided stories.  I am all for accurate and correct reporting but when they focus on only one side of the story and use the negatives for a headline then it does not do anyone good except to sell more papers.

Wonder what would happen if all the advertisers (not just our industry either) that are affected by the continued negative and one sided reporting decided to pull their advertising in unison.  Do you think that they would be more likely to report a more even and non biased story?

You nailed that one for sure.  I have stopped watching the news in the morning.  I hate watching it and getting mad.  I have had a really great summer for selling and my clients keep things in perspective.  The news media just hipes it up and takes it to another level.  We should boycott it for a week.

This is a self-fulfilling prophecy if I have every seen one of epic proportions!  I wish everyone would just keep quite and let's go back to the simple times of the past two years (yes, lenders and banks have been failing for two years now!)  Give the failing company the 15 second blip all others have received.  Problem solved.

Respectfully to all: 

In my experience, those "interested" in the market, but have reservations committing tend to shy away from agents who "protest too loudly" about what is being reported in the media.

With calm confidence an agent should explain one-on-one their market with factual information and research.   

When it comes to any kind of news reported by anyone,anywhere, including Fox, CNN or even things from NAR, I tend to believe only half, and I try to piece together the big picture. 

Your post is over the top.

"Can the NAR sue the media?"

Maybe we should sue all the realtors that told everyone that their house was a wonderful investment who are now underwater by 200k? Or the realtors that sold people more home than they could afford. We should sue the NAR for allowing David Lereah to write a book that pumped up housing just before it crashed.

This idea is asinine. The media, though perhaps dramatically, is simply reporting on a crisis that your profession helped create, and that no 'real estate professionals' saw coming.

You think that only realtors are entitled to a public opinion about whether or not someone should buy a house? Your arrogance is stunning.

Many agents probably deserve the economic consequences they are getting. For the good ones:

Sorry about the pain, BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE POLICED YOUR INDUSTRY BETTER.

And don't try to stifle freedom of the press just to benefit your business.

That is the province of cowards and tyrants.

Signed,

A taxpayer.

Some of what Mr Taxpayer says is accurate as far as the media goes. They are just doing their job and dirty laundry sells. As far as Mr. Taxpayer's opinion goes on what Realtors should have done or not.... when did consumers become puppets with Realtors pulling the strings? In 22 years I know I have never talked anyone into buying a home. It was always done by the persons free will.

I am simply turning the original poster's argument around on them.

If the media could be sued for harming the public perception, why not sue the realtors/NAR for making the picture look overly positive?

The original poster cannot have it both ways.

I do not actually advocate the suing of realtors or the NAR.

The notion of suing agents or or the NAR was to point out the absurdity of the original post's idea of suing the media. It is junior-high-school level thinking at best.

taxpayer

Real Estate is a Local market... Each market has it's own pros and cons. The national media would make you think that the entire country is having it hard where actually it's not. Yes there are some hard hit areas... again.. not all are the same. Real Estate is Local.

Christopher & Stephanie.... well said.... it does come down to location. And how qualified were the buyers?  If you have a good job and decent ratios.... buy now. Sure, anyone can lose their job at any time... but that can happen is a good market or a bad market. The media is really hurting our market in the last month, it's getting scary.  I wrote about this about 3 days ago.. great job here and congrats on the feature.

This past week, I heard a financial 'guru' on a news show say that you can't get a loan to purchase a house now unless you have perfect credit and then only if you have 20% to put down.  He stated it as FACT.  He obviously has not been in my market because we can still get 100% loans here.  I wondered how many potential buyers in my market may listen to misstatements like this are deterred from even trying to buy.

Pam Simpson
Northwest MS Real Estate

The media needs an extreme story.  Either you're winning millions or losing it all.  Slow and steady makes for bad headlines and sells no papers.

We are getting some interesting comments and responses here : )

Konnie - It would be a great feeling to gag the media or at least several pundits.  Who would be your first choice ?

Joan - you are right about the NAR fees.  I think I will email a link of this blog and its comments to NAR as there are a lot of agents echoing the same concern.

Pat - Thanks for the link - will took a look at it in more detail.  It would be nice however to see NAR more active and vocal right now sice there is so much panic and fear brimming in society right now.

Brian and Marie - Agreed.  I think we all need to be on the pulse in each of our local markets and providing service and educating our clients and consumers.

A few of my friends are getting ready to purchase for the first time and keep asking me questions based on 'news' they heard from various places.  It makes me cringe when I hear them ask how long they think it will take them to get enough credit or to save up 20% down to be eligible for a mortgage.  I just have cards of a few financial lenders in town who are doing 100% and 97% loans with a few different programs and have them back me up - and explain it better than I can anyway.  Money is definitely more difficult to get now than two years ago (which I don't think is a bad thing) but it is still available.  I don't know where these reporters are getting their information but they need to double check some of their 'facts' before scaring the general public into pulling all their money and hiding it under the mattress.

Whoops, that nameless one is me.  - Jenn

Shirley - short and sweet.  Well said : )

Nicole - that is an excellent point that all of us will need to continue educating the people we speak with and communicate with.  What makes me nervous is what about the folks who may end up crawling in a hole out of fear after being subjected to the intense doom and gloom ?  Will be tough to educate that portion of society... that portion of the buyer pool.   To a certain extent, it is what it is though if people can not see through the muck.  Some will see the opportunity clearly, some will need some help, and some will just not see it at all.  Obviously, opportunity can mean a number of different things, not just buying a house.

Elizabeth - Well said... Let's stay on top of our local real estate associations to make sure a clear message is communicated to the public.

Lenn - I agree that those comments can also be harmful... but what is worse is "do not buy" "never buy" "buyers cannot get mortgages" "if you buy now you will be down 20 percent in 1 year"...etc.  NAR can certainly qualify their comments and focus on the locality of real estate.  Over all, one can still look at the long term history of the benefits of owning real estate.  And frankly from a real estate investment standpoint, those investors (including myself) that own investment properties are thrilled to be there versus stocks in the last year... again based on location.  I know I am.

It seems everytime NAR opens their mouth things get worse. They keep making projections and missing the mark by a longshot.  The first thing NAR should address is professional standards for new licensees and actual transaction experience for renewing licensees.

As far as shutting up the media, we need to get them to stop usin g CASE/Shiller. With only 20  cities it will never give a true picture of a national real estate market.

Castellum - thanks for your comment.  You say some compelling things about the media and it is true... and sad.  It is amazing to think and to know that the media has that much power... it really shows in times like this.  I think for the most part, we forget about it or just do not realize how people (and our economy) are spun and influenced by the media.  And you are right, it goes far beyond the housing market... into all areas.  Your quote "journalism is dead in 2008" would also be a great blog entry or book !

Frank and Jodi - great point.... is amazing that that news went to p.7.

Susan - we should ask NAR who is running the PR campaign ?  This is the opportunity to shine with real messages and news.

Carol - thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts.  Your thoughts are also a great blog entry !  I agree with you that it is a tough situation for NAR to get the message out, and even if they do, it is not picked up by the media... or convienently overlooked.  All of us at the local level can do a little bit more and go right to the client/consumer.  Still, it is hard when you are competing with that media machine.

I avoid the media so that I don't get sucked into all the negativity. As Real Estate Professionals who make our money selling homes, it is our responsibility to educate the consumer and the media so that this crap does not continue to be blown out of proportion. Yeah the market isn't that great but the fact of the matter is; homes are still selling when priced appropriately!

In the Boise, Idaho area, we're seeing some very positive signs from our real estate market.  It's a well-kept secret though.  The media has been completely mum on this topic. 

I posted on my blog site about this situation just a few days ago.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/734266/Our-local-market-is

The media needs showy stories to tell. It must therefore be our job to discuss lifestyle and quality of life.

You have a voice, and with blogs, vidcasts, podcasts, you can reach way way more than a few people.  You are the media...use the media. Th national news talking heads try to explain a complext issue in 20 seconds with a sound bite and clever copy.  It starts with all of us getting our own houses in order.  Saving money, not wasting resources, making families closer, communication and work to make our areas better places to live.  NAR is not going to turn it around..you and I are.  Our government is not going to "fix things"..you and I do...starting here! Good post!

I sooo agree! I have just had to turn it off.  I have also tried to make sure that I educate everyone with the actual facts and that is all we can do. Positive positive!

Christopher and Stephanie - First: sorry that you lost your deal. Buyers get remorse - even in good times! Get over it, find another buyer.

Second, the sooner that everyone realizes that we are all guilty of being "hypocrites"- the better we will be.

How soon we forget, that this is the same "Media" that put millions of dollars in the pockets of people in this industry 2-3 years ago!...and we didn't need the NAR involved then, did we? 

"When you live by the sword, you die by the sword" - in this case the "sword" is the media..

3rd & final point: No matter how hard they try, even NAR can control the beast known as the "Media"..and if you sit around waiting on the NAR (or better yet, the GOVERNMENT) you will be out of the business.

Instead of trying to figure out who to blame (NAR, Media, Bush, etc)..let's figute out how to fix the problem!

Just my .02 worth...

Bobby Wallace

Interesting to see how much non-member participation there is in this thread, and I believe it shows just how frustrated they are - certainly no less than we are.  I do think the media is making matters worse, not better.  That's something we don't need right now.

The media likes to sensationalize everything to increase readers and viewers.  Sometimes the truth is in conflict with their agenda.

I agree with you, not only on real estate-related matters, but on all matters, the media should be FORCED to be more fair and balanced, giving both sides of stories, but I don't look to the NAR to do anything.  Since when do they know how to shed the right light on our industry?  Have you seen their 'marketing?'  Every time I see one of those commercials, I think 'No wonder people don't believe anything we say.' 

Jon - that is an interesting idea.  Would love to see it implemented : ) . 

Kim - Glad you turned it off !  Boycott it for a week !  A month !  Would keep us all more positive.

Renee - Agreed.  It is old news to a certain extent.  The financial markets correcting cause a lot of pain.  The media is influencing that as well with the fear... and doom segments.  There are many parts of the United States where real estate is doing well and even up year over year but those spots do not get any of the coverage...  Or if an area is improving that news does not get highlighted at all either...

Taxpayer - I welcome your comments.  Is good to have a meaningful discussion.  The title was to "gag" the media... and yes, I did write sue, but if you read the post accordingly I am sure you would have picked up on several levels of sarcasm utilized to make a point.  Obviously the point.. or some point was distilled to you.

Your comments make sense as in the past NAR and the media may have been recommending housing purchases.... and you know what, a high probability of those purchases are working out just fine for most of the country !!  If the property was purchased before several of those boom years, there still is probably equity and appreciation.  Most of the severe problems are confined to certain states.

For what it is worth, my business is greater this year than last year and greater than 4 years ago !  In Philly, we participated in the growth for sure but not nearly as much as some other states. 

The point was that on a national level the messages that the average consumer is getting from the media is not accurate.  It is skewed and completely one-sided... the pundits coming on tv making broad recommendations are a disgrace to our economy... adding fuel to a fire is also never wise and is irresponsible.  Similar to the financial "consultants" recommending to be in cash for the next five years and gurus saying that "no one can get a loan right now".   These are outright outlandish comments that should not be aired or written.

It is a fact that the housing industry as a whole is the backbone of the US economy.  It makes sense that if the media understood this they would tone down the sky is falling mantality.  From a mortgage industry prospective, we are seeing the same spooked buyers and sellers.  I spend more time showing clients on why this is such a great time to buy than I do taking applications.  That is a problem!  I am keeping my fingers crossed that we are near the bottom and the media can start talking about something positive for a change. 

I do wish that the NAR and MBA would get together and use our lobbying money to buy some ad time to share the message on how great of a time it is to buy.  Who knows.....

Good evening Somers,

I've just had this very thing happen to me yesterday.  Cash buyer with an accepted offer on his first bid!  He wants to wait because he's just not sure that "the bottom isn't gonna fall out."  What the heck does that mean?  I may start running around yelling The Sky Is Falling, The Sky Is Falling! 

You are right, the media pretty much started the run on the institutions. Great fear had been generated.

I think the media has a responsibility now, to show how much has been done in historic proportions. These government action around the world are unprecedented. Will the media put on a happy face? I doubt it. Fear sells more papers.

Richard

I just wrote a blog on boycotting CNN. Same feelings here. I am just really getting upset with what I'm hearing and they are actually leading the country deeper in an economic downturn just so they will have something to report. I had an open house today and 2/3 of the people that visited said, "Nobody can get financing". When I tried to explain to the people financing was still available. They asked me "Where, the news said there was no way". When I explained where I could get financing for them.  They looked at me like I was crazy! Then I had one person tell me that the stock market was as low as the Great Depression, when I told them that point-wise the market was lower in 2002 and 2003 after the tech bubble burst and no lower than after 9/11, they sat there and disagreed. I just dropped it because I didn't want to cause hard feelings and praying they will get online and look at some of the stock market graphs for the past 50 years or so.  So this is what they are doing to people. Panic striking them so they will have something to report tomorrow.

THE MEDIA HAS NO CREDIBILITY! How can anyone listen to them? That is what blows me away! I NEVER listen to what the media says on any topic or story because they report what they want and I will not be swayed!

I lost a buyer a few weeks ago because of the media being so negative. I truely believe thay don't understand the awesome power the media has. They are more powerful than the government, they can influence people in just a few minutes. Even though we know it, even we become affected by it. Be careful what you watch.

I lost a buyer a few weeks ago because of the media being so negative. I truely believe thay don't understand the awesome power the media has. They are more powerful than the government, they can influence people in just a few minutes. Even though we know it, even we become affected by it. Be careful what you watch.

There are so many great comments on here ... has become very interesting.  I wonder if I can foward this discussion to a NAR representative ?  Otherwise, we can do the best we can educating the public on our local markets !  Will check in tomorrow and respond to the comments I missed today : )

Chris Somers

Great points, I couldn't agree more. Building anxiety sells paper's and increases viewership & website traffic... and how do they make money?... enough said, apparently they are alright with what they've created!