Realtor Tells Me Not To Sell

[LostCat]

I work for a public agency here in San Diego, which the funding is partially tied to the state budget and partially tied to sales tax revenues. As such, and just like every other public agency in San Diego, we’re facing a huge budget deficit (a little this year and a lot next year).

Before I get laid off (which isn’t forsure because we’re already short staffed in my dept), I was thinking of selling my place. I bought it in 2003. The comps suggest that I could cut and run. Not losing on the direct sell, but obviously if you add up all the past payment, etc, I will lose.

Anyhow, after meeting with my realtor, he told me he doesn’t want to sell my house unless he has to. Then told me to do whatever it takes to stay in the house. He did follow up by saying that he could sell my house no problem if he needed to.

I asked him if he has been selling a lot. He said yes, but only short sales right now.

Could any think of a reason why he would give me this advice, to hold? Should I hold? Should I get out (like a day trader)? or take his advice and just hold on for the next two years.

[NotCranky]

It is going to cost you if you want to get out and into the market again. I think some people do have regrets about doing that in previous downturns,even though on paper they were losing and would continue to lose in the near future. Hopefully people who have experienced exactly that will respond.That is probably going to be your situation,as you know.Anyway crunching the numbers specific to you house and situation to understand your own risk/reward scenario is key. I think whether you feel you have a safety net that you don’t mind using, or not, should be the deciding factor if you just can’t make up your mind.

[NotCranky]

It is going to cost you if you want to get out and into the market again. I think some people do have regrets about doing that in previous downturns,even though on paper they were losing and would continue to lose in the near future. Hopefully people who have experienced exactly that will respond.That is probably going to be your situation,as you know.Anyway crunching the numbers specific to you house and situation to understand your own risk/reward scenario is key. I think whether you feel you have a safety net that you don’t mind using, or not, should be the deciding factor if you just can’t make up your mind.

[NotCranky]

It is going to cost you if you want to get out and into the market again. I think some people do have regrets about doing that in previous downturns,even though on paper they were losing and would continue to lose in the near future. Hopefully people who have experienced exactly that will respond.That is probably going to be your situation,as you know.Anyway crunching the numbers specific to you house and situation to understand your own risk/reward scenario is key. I think whether you feel you have a safety net that you don’t mind using, or not, should be the deciding factor if you just can’t make up your mind.

[NotCranky]

It is going to cost you if you want to get out and into the market again. I think some people do have regrets about doing that in previous downturns,even though on paper they were losing and would continue to lose in the near future. Hopefully people who have experienced exactly that will respond.That is probably going to be your situation,as you know.Anyway crunching the numbers specific to you house and situation to understand your own risk/reward scenario is key. I think whether you feel you have a safety net that you don’t mind using, or not, should be the deciding factor if you just can’t make up your mind.

[NotCranky]

It is going to cost you if you want to get out and into the market again. I think some people do have regrets about doing that in previous downturns,even though on paper they were losing and would continue to lose in the near future. Hopefully people who have experienced exactly that will respond.That is probably going to be your situation,as you know.Anyway crunching the numbers specific to you house and situation to understand your own risk/reward scenario is key. I think whether you feel you have a safety net that you don’t mind using, or not, should be the deciding factor if you just can’t make up your mind.

[peterb]

Try to find out what homes like yours, in your area are actually selling for right now. Comparable sales within the last month, if possible. Then decide if that number is ok with you or not. I would keep in mind that the last down cycle went from 1990 to 1996. If you think that this down cycle started in 2006, then there’s a good chance it will not stabilize until 2012 or later.

This is a difficult position to be in right now. I sold my personal residence in the early 1990’s and bought back in 1998. Saved me about 20% on price. And time on the therapist couch. As having a mortgage during that time was very stressful. Not so much from declining values, but from unemployment concerns.

[peterb]

Try to find out what homes like yours, in your area are actually selling for right now. Comparable sales within the last month, if possible. Then decide if that number is ok with you or not. I would keep in mind that the last down cycle went from 1990 to 1996. If you think that this down cycle started in 2006, then there’s a good chance it will not stabilize until 2012 or later.

This is a difficult position to be in right now. I sold my personal residence in the early 1990’s and bought back in 1998. Saved me about 20% on price. And time on the therapist couch. As having a mortgage during that time was very stressful. Not so much from declining values, but from unemployment concerns.

[peterb]

Try to find out what homes like yours, in your area are actually selling for right now. Comparable sales within the last month, if possible. Then decide if that number is ok with you or not. I would keep in mind that the last down cycle went from 1990 to 1996. If you think that this down cycle started in 2006, then there’s a good chance it will not stabilize until 2012 or later.

This is a difficult position to be in right now. I sold my personal residence in the early 1990’s and bought back in 1998. Saved me about 20% on price. And time on the therapist couch. As having a mortgage during that time was very stressful. Not so much from declining values, but from unemployment concerns.

[peterb]

Try to find out what homes like yours, in your area are actually selling for right now. Comparable sales within the last month, if possible. Then decide if that number is ok with you or not. I would keep in mind that the last down cycle went from 1990 to 1996. If you think that this down cycle started in 2006, then there’s a good chance it will not stabilize until 2012 or later.

This is a difficult position to be in right now. I sold my personal residence in the early 1990’s and bought back in 1998. Saved me about 20% on price. And time on the therapist couch. As having a mortgage during that time was very stressful. Not so much from declining values, but from unemployment concerns.

[peterb]

Try to find out what homes like yours, in your area are actually selling for right now. Comparable sales within the last month, if possible. Then decide if that number is ok with you or not. I would keep in mind that the last down cycle went from 1990 to 1996. If you think that this down cycle started in 2006, then there’s a good chance it will not stabilize until 2012 or later.

This is a difficult position to be in right now. I sold my personal residence in the early 1990’s and bought back in 1998. Saved me about 20% on price. And time on the therapist couch. As having a mortgage during that time was very stressful. Not so much from declining values, but from unemployment concerns.

[Fletch]

I sympathize with your decision as I just made it myself. I just sold my place last month and moved into a rental. I bought in 2005 with 20% down, so I suspect you have more equity than I did if you bought in 2003. I obviously lost most of my down payment, but by my estimation, I can likely regain that lost equity faster simply by renting and saving the difference.

I would encourage you to consider how much the flexibility afforded you by selling now is worth. That was the decider for me. I might want to move out of San Diego in the next two years. Now I can without worrying about having to unload my house and potentially being upside down.

[Fletch]

I sympathize with your decision as I just made it myself. I just sold my place last month and moved into a rental. I bought in 2005 with 20% down, so I suspect you have more equity than I did if you bought in 2003. I obviously lost most of my down payment, but by my estimation, I can likely regain that lost equity faster simply by renting and saving the difference.

I would encourage you to consider how much the flexibility afforded you by selling now is worth. That was the decider for me. I might want to move out of San Diego in the next two years. Now I can without worrying about having to unload my house and potentially being upside down.

[Fletch]

I sympathize with your decision as I just made it myself. I just sold my place last month and moved into a rental. I bought in 2005 with 20% down, so I suspect you have more equity than I did if you bought in 2003. I obviously lost most of my down payment, but by my estimation, I can likely regain that lost equity faster simply by renting and saving the difference.

I would encourage you to consider how much the flexibility afforded you by selling now is worth. That was the decider for me. I might want to move out of San Diego in the next two years. Now I can without worrying about having to unload my house and potentially being upside down.

[Fletch]

I sympathize with your decision as I just made it myself. I just sold my place last month and moved into a rental. I bought in 2005 with 20% down, so I suspect you have more equity than I did if you bought in 2003. I obviously lost most of my down payment, but by my estimation, I can likely regain that lost equity faster simply by renting and saving the difference.

I would encourage you to consider how much the flexibility afforded you by selling now is worth. That was the decider for me. I might want to move out of San Diego in the next two years. Now I can without worrying about having to unload my house and potentially being upside down.

[Author]

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