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Would Honesty, Education and Accountability Have Lessened Our Real Estate Market Woes?

By Anita Cooper | August 9, 2012

Whether or not you believe that housing has hit bottom, there are some things to be learned from the recent fiasco that was the housing market. Greed is an ugly business, a vice to be eradicated, especially in the markets.

if only we hadn't all been such greedy pigs! © heywoody - Fotolia.com

For example, many buyers knew, in their heart of hearts, that the beautiful new home they were buying was just a bit above what they could really afford, but hey - the lender says yes, so why not? I’ll tell you “why not”. “Life” happens - people get sick or disabled, lose their jobs, divorce, etc. and buying above your means (and for zero down...really?) limits your options.

Buyers were not the only guilty parties - lenders and brokers can certainly claim their share of the blame. What seems too good to be true very often is - a fact that’s easy to ignore when the money’s flowing all around, home values are rising and all looks rosy on the horizon.

Now don’t stop reading right here and say that I’m blaming all buyers or brokers, I’m speaking in generalities, of course, and I do realize that there were other factors at play, I’m just discussing a part of the problem.

So now that we’ve been collectively “punished”, what are we to take away from all of this? NAR Immediate Past President Ron Phipps recently wrote about 10 lessons we can learn from the housing market crash:

  1. The economy cannot recover without housing.
  2. Everyone needs shelter, but not everyone needs to own their shelter.
  3. High homeownership rates are important but they must be sustainable.
  4. Home prices go up and go DOWN.
  5. The process of purchasing /financing a home is more complicated.
  6. Sound underwriting of mortgages is critical.
  7. Home equity should not be used for ordinary living expenses.
  8. Financial reserves for family, companies, and countries are necessary.
  9. Homeowners confidence in the economy is directly related the value of their own homes.
  10. The economy is global.

I would also like to add the fact that basic finance should be made part of every school’s curriculum. Buyers who understand what it takes to buy and manage a home should be informed enough to avoid making financial decisions that will negatively impact their lives.

What other things do you believe we can take away from these past few years? Do you believe we’re still in a slump, or does it appear to you that recovery is within sight? Please share what you think!

Anita Cooper is a copy and content writer with a vendetta against bad copy. She helps real estate tech companies grow their pipeline by providing lead gen copy and content.

Have world real estate news to share?If you do and would like to interview, feel free to contact Anita at [email protected].
  • 2 comments on “Would Honesty, Education and Accountability Have Lessened Our Real Estate Market Woes?”

    1. unfortunately, even when housing values begin to rise, or in other words, recover, the economy will not necessarily "recover" to the good old days. the amount of cash that was being pumped into the economy from equity line advances was a significant factor in the prior economic boom....and it is never to return....or at least for a long while

    2. Wholeheartedly agree with your last comment there - people need to be educated about basic finance! Who the hell gets taught about how financial systems and the economy works at school? I know I didn't!

      Or did I just skip that class? :p

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