3 Questions Every Agent Needs to Be Ready for This Holiday Season
You already know it’s coming. Between Thanksgiving dinners and holiday punch, someone at the party is going to ask you: “So, how’s the market?”
This year, don’t just rattle off a vague answer for your curious guests and acquaintances – show them what’s really going on. With all the noise out there, people don’t need more opinions. They want to hear from a trusted agent they can easily understand. Someone who has a clear perspective, a relevant market opinion based upon facts, and an honest take on what’s actually happening.
That’s why we’re giving you the 3 questions every agent will be asked this season AND the top slides to have on your phone to answer them. With these visuals at your fingertips, you’ll be able to respond to those questions like the expert you truly are. Save them. Use them. Show them off. That way, you’ll be the agent everyone remembers going into next year.
“Will I be able to find a home if I move?”
Inventory is finally rising again. And for 6 straight months, there have been more than one million homes on the market. It’s the first time that’s happened since 2019, and many of those sellers are willing to negotiate to get a deal done.
That means buyers who hit pause because they couldn’t find anything now have more options to choose from – and more negotiating power. And for sellers who were reluctant to list their house because they feared they wouldn’t find the right home to move into? Their options are growing too, and that’s a good thing.
Show buyers who stepped back or paused their plans last year that the market is tipping back in their favor. Re-engage them by focusing on choice, not urgency. Let them know it’s not 2021 anymore. The shelves are re-stocked and the market is moving at a much more normal pace.
“Am I ever going to be able to afford to buy a home?”
In short, they won’t. The fact of the matter is, builders aren’t overbuilding — they’re still trying to catch up after 15 years of underbuilding. That means we don’t have a surplus of new homes for sale. At the same time, even though the supply of existing homes for sale is growing, it’s still below the levels the market has seen in a more normal year.
Those two factors combined are why all 10 of the experts we follow are forecasting prices will rise in the year ahead — they’ll just climb at a slower rate as inventory continues to grow.
The good news? You aren’t going to see the skyrocketing price appreciation that occurred over the past few years. Prices will continue to increase but at a healthier pace.
Download these visuals to your phone so you’re ready with data that backs up your argument.
“Why would I buy now if prices are just going to fall?”
A lot of people think the bottom is about to fall out of the housing market barrel. But the data just doesn’t support that. Inventory is rising but still too low for a crash, equity is high, and homeowners are simply in a better position than they were back in 2008.
And sure, every market is going to be a bit different. Some areas are seeing prices continue to rise, while others that went up at an exponentially high rate a few years ago are seeing a slight correction. But those who are waiting for a major crash to buy a home need to see that expert forecasts point to modest national home price appreciation in 2026, and about 3% growth per year after that.
On average, it shakes out to nearly $61,000 in equity growth over the next 5 years for someone buying a $400k home. And while communicating your local expertise will be essential to what’s happening in your specific area, it also means that waiting for prices to crash to get a better deal isn’t a very strategic move.
Show the long view and why it’s no wonder people always say it pays to spend time in the market rather than trying to time the market.
Bottom Line
Most agents know what’s happening in the market, and good agents understand it. But only great agents know how to explain it – especially when they’re face to face with friends, family, and future clients.
So, before your next holiday gathering, download these slides and save them to your phone. And when someone asks you, “How’s the market?” – you’ll have the answers and the visuals you need to show them exactly what’s happening, and how you can help. That’s exactly how you want to position yourself for the year ahead.
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