Larry Simpson on Denver's real estate market and the economyLarry Simpson of Fuller Sotheby's on Denver's real estate market, the economy and the effects of the stimulus package, bailout and other mortgage challenages.BrokerIPTV: We are talking with Larry Simpson today, former owner of Fuller Towne and Country Properties and real estate broker. Larry, welcome to the show. Larry Simpson: Oh, thank you for inviting me. BrokerIPTV: All right. This is not an easy economy for anybody. It doesn't matter if you are a real estate broker. Larry Simpson: Yeah. BrokerIPTV: But are you worried about the market and are you worried about being a real estate broker in this economy? Larry Simpson: I am and I am actually primarily worried about all those folks that I sold homes to over the past couple of years that are having a very, very difficult time making it in today's economy. They are struggling to sell their... to resell their homes, that they are having job problems or it is just that it is a very tough situation and the sooner that we can put together something in Washington and Wall Street the better. I am very concerned about this. BrokerIPTV: Obviously we all had limited knowledge on the outside looking in and what was being negotiated in Washington, but were you in favor of the bail out plan? Larry Simpson: Well, you know, I am like most people. You know, you only know that what you can see on the news or read in the Wall Street Journal, but it appears that there was no other option. I am not in favor of that kind of a policy, but by the same token it looked like this was a once in a lifetime catastrophic situation that had to be dealt with. BrokerIPTV: How does the economy recover in the real estate market from here? I mean what's the recipe you think? I mean you are not an economist, but you have an opinion. Larry Simpson: Right. Right. Well, my opinion is that our numbers in Denver are far better than the majority of the United States. Denver is a great place to live. We are still having people relocate to Denver even in this market. I would say that Denver is going to fair better than the majority of the country and the key to it is lower levels of inventory. It is the age old issue of supply and demand. We don't need to build anymore for a while and we certainly don't need to be putting your house on the market if there is any way to avoid it at this time. It's a supply and demand issue and when that gets more in balance, I think we will be on the road to recovery. BrokerIPTV: And if you are a realtor in this market, if you were still employing all those 150, what do you tell a broker to survive? Larry Simpson: Well, I am currently still responsible for helping out with the sales meetings and I meet with brokers on a daily basis. Right now it is basically you know pull back on your expenses, don't be you know spending any money unnecessarily, sharpen up your marketing campaign and make sure that you are well diversified. This is... we are a small, niche player in the high end for the most part and that part of the market is really just in the past few months has really slowed down. I have encouraged everyone to actively pursue other price ranges and other areas that they may not normally see themselves working in, but diversity is the key in this market. BrokerIPTV: How about a forecast for '09? Larry Simpson: Flat. I am forecasting flat. All our numbers that we are putting together is going to be relatively flat. We are going to see some surge. I don't think the election is going to have as much to do with it as I think the lawmakers getting back to work and putting the next, whether they call it a stimulus package or a bail out or whatever it is, when they get that put together, when they get this housing bill resolved, there is... when that all comes together, I think you are going to see some relaxed interest rates, lower interest rates and relaxed lending standards again, not to the way they were, reckless, but at least relaxed from where they are today and we will see I think an uptake in sales. BrokerIPTV: Great information. Larry Simpson: Well, thank you for having me. BrokerIPTV: Thanks so much. Appreciate it. Larry Simpson: All right. http://www.brokeriptv.com/000286 Posted on October 31, 2008 12:05:29 by Mark.Eibner
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